Terror Beyond Borders: Assessing France's Response to Carlos Group attacks in the 1980s

In the context of a bipolar world split by the influence of the two superpowers, a new element of destabilization entered the world's already intricate multilateral relations from the 1960s onwards. Terrorist attacks began to hit European soil, challenging Western governments in their management and understanding of the roots and dynamics, thus making it necessary to counter this new phenomenon through international cooperation on the security front. Particularly between the 1970s and 1980s, France was one of the most affected countries on European soil by transnational terrorism, hit by a wave of terrorism perpetrated by the terrorist group headed by Ilich Ramirez Sanchez, known by the media as Carlos 'The Jackal'. By analyzing the methods and motivations behind the bombings, grenade attacks, and hostage takings, the thesis sheds light on the unprecedented challenges these tactics posed for French security services. Moreover, through a comprehensive analysis of historical records, government documents, media reports, and scholarly literature, the research examines the French government's perception of this new breed of international terrorism. The study investigates the socio-political context within which these policies were enacted, considering factors such as public opinion, diplomatic relations, and domestic security concerns. Furthermore, it aims at analyzing the adequacy and effectiveness of its counterterrorism policies by examining the government's response strategies, including legislative measures, intelligence operations, and international cooperation efforts, seeking to discern patterns in policy formulation and implementation. Did these measures adequately address the threat posed by the Carlos Group, or did France struggle to adapt its strategies to this evolving landscape of global terror?