During the 1960s and 1970s, hostage-takings became an important part of the terrorists' tactical arsenal. As noted in Chapter 8, many groups developed a degree of skill in mounting successful kidnappings of diplomats and corporate executives. As a result, terrorist organisations from all over the world have gained income from the ransoms paid for the release of kidnap victims. In some cases, the sums have been very substantial and have been the major source of funding for continued terrorist activities. On numerous occasions, especially in the earlier phases of the contemporary surge of terrorist activity, governments also agreed to release prisoners (usually the associates of the kidnappers) in return for the safe release of the kidnap victims.

At the same time as these developments were taking place, another form of hostage-taking also came to prominence. This involved the seizing of either a building or an aircraft containing innocent citizens and holding the victims as hostages. Such a situation often placed even more pressure on the authorities than did a kidnapping by terrorists. Because the location of the hostages is known and accessible in a siege, it becomes the focus of intense media attention. The location is surrounded by troops or police, adding to the high level of tension and imminent danger, and negotiations then take place in a highly emotional, highly publicised context.