In a reminder to America and the world that terrorism is still alive and well, western institutions have once again been the target of an attack overseas.

At least eight people were killed and at least 51 others injured in Jakarta, Indonesia, this morning, after bombs ripped through the JW Marriott and Ritz Carlton hotels. It was Indonesia’s first terror attack in almost four years. Authorities found blast devices similar to those found in the aftermath of previous attacks. Bloomberg notes that the Jakarta attacks come nine days after elections in Indonesia, when President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono won another term after improving security and pledging to reduce corruption and boost economic growth.

Indonesia is the world’s most populous Muslim country. You may well remember the Bali bombings that also occurred there in 2002, killing 202 people. Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), a South-East Asian Al-Qaeda affiliate, was blamed for those attacks — as well as others since then — and some believe JI may have been responsible for today’s, as well, perhaps a splinter group of the JI.

"The intelligence and security services have been caught by surprise," terrorism analyst Rohan Gunaratna told Bloomberg. "The bombings show that JI is revived."

Added Carl Ungerer of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute: "Clearly it has all the hallmarks of a coordinated attack that JI has become known for."

Indonesia is worried the attack could hurt tourism; Australia has already issued a travel warning.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton today blasted the "senseless" attacks, stressing that the threat of terrorism remains "very real." The State Department was working to help any Americans hurt in the blasts.

"We condemn these senseless acts of violence and stand ready to provide assistance if the Indonesian government requests us to do so," she said.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones of the victims of this horrible attack.