The True Origins of Modern Terrorism

In this Conflicted Conversation, Thomas speaks to journalist Jason Burke about his new book The Revolutionists: The Story of the Extremists Who Hijacked the 1970s.

Jason explains:

Why the origins of modern terrorism lie earlier than the Afghan jihad of the 1980s

The global revolutionary ferment of the 1960s and 70s

Why early terrorist attacks were often designed to attract attention rather than cause mass casualties

The role of Palestinian militant groups in pioneering modern tactics like hijacking

Connections between European radicals, Japanese militants, and Middle Eastern groups

How states adapted to terrorism through new counterterrorism measures

The shift from theatrical violence to mass-casualty and suicide attacks

The relationship between secular revolutionary movements and later Islamist militancy

The Iranian Revolution as a turning point in the evolution of political violence

Why many common narratives about the origins of jihadism are incomplete

Find Jason on X: https://x.com/burke_jason

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Conflicted is a Message Heard production.

Executive Producers: Jake Warren & Max Warren.

This episode was produced by Thomas Small and edited by Lizzy Andrews.

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