The Remarkable True Story of The Extremists Who Hijacked the 1970’s, with Jason Burke (Part One) - intelligence-squared-u-s-debates Recap

Podcast: intelligence-squared-u-s-debates

Published: 2026-01-04

Duration: 41 minutes

Guests: Jason Burke

Summary

Jason Burke explores the rise of radical extremists in the 1970s and how their actions set the stage for modern terrorism, transitioning from secular nationalist to Islamist movements.

What Happened

In the 1970s, a web of radical extremists, including figures like Leila Khaled and Carlos the Jackal, executed high-profile attacks targeting Israel, capitalism, and western imperialism. These events captured global attention, as governments grappled with the challenge posed by such groups. Jason Burke, an expert on terrorism, provides an in-depth analysis of these incidents, drawing from declassified documents and firsthand accounts.

Ali Hassan Salameh, a prominent figure linked to the PLO and Black September, played a crucial role in the Palestinian resistance. Before his assassination in 1979, he was in discussions with the CIA about non-aggression pacts, demonstrating the complex interplay between terrorists and intelligence agencies.

The Iranian Revolution of 1979 marked a significant shift from secular nationalist terrorism to Islamist extremism. This transition was pivotal, influencing figures like Osama bin Laden and setting the stage for future Islamist movements.

The episode highlights critical events such as the seizure of the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the assassination of Anwar Sadat, which underscored the growing influence of Islamist ideologies. These events illustrated the decline of secular nationalist movements and the rise of religious extremism.

Jason Burke explores how earlier leftist and secular ideas were adapted into a religious framework by Islamist extremists. This adaptation was crucial in the evolution of modern terrorist strategies, which often emphasize martyrdom in a more explicit and instrumentalized manner.

Figures like Imad Mughniyeh were instrumental in the transition to Islamist movements, marking a departure from the earlier secular terrorist activities of the 1970s. Burke notes that later jihadists, including bin Laden, did not sympathize with their secular predecessors, reflecting a distinct ideological shift.

Farouk Nagada, a leader of the leftist opposition in Iran, later expressed regret over supporting the clerical regime, highlighting the unintended consequences of political alliances during this tumultuous period. This sentiment underscores the complex dynamics and shifting allegiances that characterized the era.

Key Insights