Terrorism: The Price of Success

Reagan's coup breeds anger in Egypt, crisis in Italy, disarray in diplomacy

For Ronald Reagan, it was a time to savor a triumph, not indulge in nagging second thoughts. At an intimate Georgetown dinner party for the President, guests took turns heartily congratulating him for the bold midair interception of the four Palestinian hijackers of the Italian cruise liner Achille Lauro. In Boise, admiring supporters erupted in cheers as Reagan declared he was "most proud" of the U.S. Navy F-14 pilots who were able to pinpoint their EgyptAir Boeing 737 target in the Mediterranean darkness and, as he put it puckishly, "persuade" it to land in Italy. His declaration that "there is a...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!