Watching the Jackals: Prague's Covert Liaisons with Cold War Terrorists and Revolutionaries
In the 1970s and 1980s, Prague had become a favourite destination for the world’s most prominent terrorists and revolutionaries. They arrived there to seek refuge, enjoy recreation, or hold secret meetings aimed at securing training, arms, and other forms of support. While some were welcome with open arms, others were closely watched and gradually ousted. This talk, based on the recently-published book Watching the Jackals (Georgetown University Press), discusses Czechoslovakia’s complex relations with Middle Eastern terrorists and revolutionaries during the closing decades of the Cold War. Based on recently declassified intelligence files and interviews, it unveils the story of Prague’s engagement with various factions of the Palestine Liberation Organization as well as some of the era’s most infamous terrorists including Carlos the Jackal, Munich Olympics massacre commander Abu Daoud, and the Abu Nidal Organization. While doing so, it discusses why ‘Cold War Jackals’ gravitated towards Prague, how the country’s leaders reacted to their visits, and uncovers the role Czechoslovakia’s security and intelligence apparatus – the StB (Státní bezpečnost) played in these, at times, dangerous liaisons. The book contributes to debates on how states use their spies to pursue covert policies with violent non-state actors. It also introduces new evidence and nuance into old debates about whether or not the Communist Bloc supported terrorism.
All welcome- this event is free but booking is required.
This page was last updated on 14 March 2025
