The story of the world's first super-terrorist
Summary
Pulitzer Prize-winning correspondent Joby Warwick discusses his new book, *The Jackal*, which chronicles the life of Ilich Ramírez Sánchez, known as Carlos the Jackal. Warwick details Carlos’s rise as a notorious 1970s terrorist, highlighting his brazen attacks, including the OPEC siege, and his narcissistic, mercenary lifestyle. The episode explores how Carlos’s ego-driven violence differed from ideological terrorism and examines the modern resurgence of state-sponsored mercenary terror.
Topics discussed
Introduction to Joe B. Warwick and his book on Carlos the Jackal
Carlos's background and the origins of modern international terrorism
Carlos's first assassination and the French Embassy siege
The Paris apartment shootout and the origin of the 'Jackal' nickname
The 1975 OPEC headquarters hostage crisis in Vienna
Carlos's expulsion from PFLP and turn to mercenary terrorism
Warwick's prison interview with Carlos and his lack of remorse
The resurgence of secular, mercenary-style terrorism today
Maureen Corrigan reviews three new suspense novels
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