The suicide bombings that devastated three crowded restaurants on the Indonesian resort island of Bali over the weekend come as a chilling reminder that the world has yet to break the cycle of terrorist violence. The coordinated attacks reportedly killed at least 22 people, including a Japanese tourist, and wounded more than 90.
So far, no one has claimed responsibility. Indonesian authorities reportedly believe that the bombings were carried out by members of Jemaah Islamiyah, the Islamic underground organization in Southeast Asia that is said to have close ties with al-Qaida and with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the antigovernment separatist group in the Philippines.
Indiscriminate terrorism, which involves innocent people, is an attack against humanity that cannot be justified, whatever the reasons. The existence of an "international terrorist network" of Islamic radicals is a grave threat to peace and security. The international community must step up efforts to prevent the spread of terrorism and exterminate its roots. The latest bombings indicate that terrorism is still alive, if not kicking, in Indonesia.