Intelligence Squared The Remarkable True Story of The Extremists Who Hijacked the 1970’s, with Jason Burke (Part One)
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Jan 4, 2026 
Join Jason Burke, an international security correspondent for The Guardian and an author specializing in terrorism, as he dives into the tumultuous 1970s. He shares captivating stories of radical figures like Leila Khaled, whose hijackings became media spectacles, and Carlos the Jackal, whose personality overshadows the reality of his actions. Burke also discusses the evolution of the Baader-Meinhof Gang and the theatrical nature of terrorism, revealing how these extremist movements held the world captive through their audacious tactics.
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Tactical Shift Across The 1970s
- The 1970s show a clear evolution from performative hijackings to mass-casualty bombings by decade's end.
- Jason Burke argues the shift reflects changing tactics, media dynamics, and regional divergences in revolutionary movements.
Leila Khaled's Constructed Celebrity
- Leila Khaled hijacked planes in 1969 and 1970 and became a constructed public face for the PFLP.
- She was detained briefly in London, wrote polite notes from custody, and was released rather than tried, fueling her celebrity.
Hijackings As Media Theater
- Hijackings in the era were highly performative and aimed at dominating television headlines.
- Groups repeatedly staged dramatic actions to cut through competing global events and force attention to their causes.
