The Moynihan Report
The Moynihan Report
Osprey Studios
Carlos the Jackal and the Birth of Modern Terrorism
58 minutes Posted Sep 30, 2026 at 10:47 pm.
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Joby Warrick joins Michael Moynihan to tell the story of Carlos the Jackal, the Venezuelan Marxist who became the world’s most notorious terrorist. They discuss his rise through the Palestinian militant movement, his ties to the Soviet bloc, and the governments that allowed him to operate across Europe and the Middle East for decades. Warrick also recounts meeting an unrepentant Carlos in a French prison and explains how his brand of international terrorism anticipated Al-Qaeda, ISIS, and the decentralized political violence of today.We're nominated for Signal Awards! Vote for The Moynihan Report for:Best video podcast: https://bit.ly/4jxj2wYBest guest (William Shatner): https://bit.ly/4AG4zozBest episode: https://bit.ly/4dxq7tZAlso: The Fifth Column is in the running for Best News & Politics show: https://bit.ly/3U0K8ST CHAPTERS
Cold Open
Intro
Becoming Carlos the Jackal
Terrorism, Marxism and Antisemitism
The Paris Grenade Attack
Why Europe Paid Off Terrorists
The Soviet Terror Network
Terrorism and the Palestinian Cause
Meeting Carlos in Prison
Carlos and the Nazis
From Marxism to Radical Islam
The CIA Informant Who Betrayed Carlos
How Dictators Protected the Jackal
The Legacy of 1970s Terrorism
What Happened to Al-Qaeda and ISIS?
Israel and the Axis of Resistance
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Show notes
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Joby Warrick joins Michael Moynihan to tell the story of Carlos the Jackal, the Venezuelan Marxist who became the world’s most notorious terrorist. They discuss his rise through the Palestinian militant movement, his ties to the Soviet bloc, and the governments that allowed him to operate across Europe and the Middle East for decades. Warrick also recounts meeting an unrepentant Carlos in a French prison and explains how his brand of international terrorism anticipated Al-Qaeda, ISIS, and the decentralized political violence of today.We're nominated for Signal Awards! Vote for The Moynihan Report for:Best video podcast: https://bit.ly/4jxj2wYBest guest (William Shatner): https://bit.ly/4AG4zozBest episode: https://bit.ly/4dxq7tZAlso: The Fifth Column is in the running for Best News & Politics show: https://bit.ly/3U0K8ST CHAPTERS(0:00) Cold Open(0:20) Intro(1:44) Becoming Carlos the Jackal(5:10) Terrorism, Marxism and Antisemitism(8:34) The Paris Grenade Attack(11:35) Why Europe Paid Off Terrorists(15:42) The Soviet Terror Network(22:49) Terrorism and the Palestinian Cause(28:20) Meeting Carlos in Prison(35:55) Carlos and the Nazis(39:02) From Marxism to Radical Islam(41:58) The CIA Informant Who Betrayed Carlos(44:45) How Dictators Protected the Jackal(47:02) The Legacy of 1970s Terrorism(49:21) What Happened to Al-Qaeda and ISIS?(52:45) Israel and the Axis of Resistance(56:08) Political Violence Today Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.