Terrorist Attacks in Indonesia

Tonight, there were simultaneous explosions at two hotels in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta.

The attacks took place at the Ritz-Carlton and the Marriott hotels. As of this writing nine people have been killed and 50 have been injured.

No one has claimed responsibility for the attacks but it is most likely the work of Jemaah Islamiyah, a Sunni Muslim terrorist organization that seeks to establish an Islamic caliphate in Indonesia and other parts of Southeast Asia. Jemaah Islamiyah has also been known to have a working relationship with al-Qaeda. Indeed, al Qaeda's number two Al Zawahiri announced in 2006 the two organizations had formally joined forces.

Of course, this is not the first terrorist attack in Indonesia although it is the first since 2005. Jemaah Islamiyah attacked Bali in 2002 and 2005 and the Australian Embassy in 2004. Tonight, is the second time the Marriott has been attacked by Jemaah Islamiyah. They attacked it previously in 2003 resulting in 12 deaths and 150 injured.

Could this terrorist attack be a message to President Obama? This attack could serve as a reminder to Obama that Jemaah Islamiyah is still here and they don't like the increased U.S. troop presence in Afghanistan. Let us also remember that President Obama spent four years of his life in Indonesia as a child. It will be interesting to see what he has to say about attacks in a city he once called home.