The Indonesian island of Bali, known as the Island of the Gods, has long projected a peaceful image as an idyllic resort for international tourists. That image was shattered by Saturday's bomb explosion that devastated a popular nightclub frequented by Westerners, killing at least 180 people and wounding hundreds of others. It was the worst terrorist attack in Indonesian history.
A combination of factors suggest that international terrorism may be entering a new phase. First, the island, a Hindu enclave in a predominantly Muslim state, has so far remained largely immune to political, religious and ethnic strife. Second, the attack was directed at a "soft" target -- a pleasure spot for Western travelers. Third, but not last, it occurred while the United States was preparing for a possible war with Iraq.
The nightclub bombing, along with a second bomb blast that occurred around the same time near the island's U.S. consular office (no casualties reported), may well be a part of a series of attacks that have occurred recently in other parts of the world, such as Kuwait and Yemen. It appears, indeed, that international terrorist groups are reconstituting themselves with their sights set on broader Western interests, not just American interests.