Terror on the High Seas: The Achille Lauro Hijacking and Its Impact on Counter-Terrorism
Introduction In October 1985, the Mediterranean Sea bore witness to a terrifying, unprecedented form of terrorism: the hijacking of the cruise ship Achille Lauro. Operated by an Italian shipping company, the vessel was en route to Port Said, Egypt, when it was commandeered by four Palestinian militants. The event, which involved threats to over 400…