Crazy event I didn't really know enough about -- if something like this happened today... _____ Dawson's Field hijackings In September 1970, four jet airliners bound for New York City and one for London were hijacked by members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). Three aircraft were forced to land at Dawson's Field, a remote desert airstrip near Zarka, Jordan, formerly a British Royal Air Force base, one that then become PFLP's "Revolutionary Airport". By the end of the incident, one hijacker had been killed and one injury reported. This was the second instance of mass aircraft hijacking, after an escape from communist Czechoslovakia in 1950.
It's one of those days, eh? In 1979, armed militants took over the Grand Mosque of Mecca. The Saudis, wanting to remedy the situation, did not call upon the Americans to help, but instead called the French. The Saudis felt the Americans were too prone to "talk" and "negotiate", whereas the French were more likely to go in and kill everyone. The retaking of the mosque resulted in dozens, if not over 100, deaths of hostages, militants, and French and Saudi military personnel. This event is said to have been the event which sparked jihad within Osama bin Laden. Months later, the Soviets would invade Afghanistan. Notice how Osama bin Laden was NOT inspired by US immigration policy. I think that is the most important take-away here.
