A STUNNING ATTEMPT – AT 9:35 A.M. ET:  There has been a terrorist attack in Jakarta, capital of Indonesia.  It largely failed, but ISIS is claiming responsibility, demonstrating that they can attack again and again, in rapid succession.   Indonesia is a Muslim country.  From Times of India:   

Isis has reportedly claimed responsibility for the Jakarta attacks in a statement released through one of its allied propaganda agencies.

"Islamic State fighters carried out an armed attack this morning targeting foreign nationals and the security forces charged with protecting them in the Indonesian capital," Aamaaq news agency said on its Telegram channel.

Seven people, including five suspected attackers, died in suicide bombings and shootings in the Indonesian capital on Thursday morning.

Militants targeted the Sarinah shopping centre, on Thamrin Street, which houses a McDonalds and other multinational brands.

A Starbucks, Pizza hut and Burger King lie across the road next to the Djakarta Theater XXI cinema, while the five-star Sari Pan Pacific Jakarta hotel is the next building along and United Nations and government offices are also nearby.

COMMENT:  The attacks seem to have targeted American brands.  Clearly the attackers failed.  They were undoubtedly going for high casualties.  The Indonesian police acted quickly and the attack was blunted.

But the fact of the assault, and its clear targeting of American companies, should not be lost on us.  ISIS will try again, and again, and again.  That's been their pattern over the last six months.

January 14,  2016