The story of the world's first super-terrorist

National security correspondent Joby Warrick examines the life of Carlos the Jackal, the Venezuelan Marxist who became the world’s first international super-terrorist in the 1970s. Carlos pioneered modern terrorism by targeting civilians and infrastructure to force global media attention on the Palestinian cause. His career was defined by profound narcissism and a desire for fame rather than genuine ideological conviction. The 1975 OPEC headquarters siege in Vienna epitomized his audacity, showmanship, and eventual expulsion from his organization for prioritizing personal notoriety over mission objectives. His subsequent transition into a mercenary for hire, performing violent acts for various state sponsors, mirrors current trends in the "violent gig economy," where state actors utilize digital platforms to recruit individuals for targeted attacks. This evolution signals a shift from ideological zealotry back toward a secular, contract-based model of global terrorism.