The attack today on a Starbucks in Jakarta, leading to the immediate and indefinite closure of at least 50 outlets in the city (a profit loss of about $100,000 per day), came amidst warnings by Da’esh affiliates in Indonesia that they would begin targeting foreign nationals in the country.
According to one report, Da’esh has claimed responsibility for the attack, saying that it was aimed at foreigners and those who protect them.
Apparently, the Starbucks was chosen because it was assumed many foreigners would be present; not because it is Starbucks.
The neighborhood is full of multinational corporations and foreign embassies, and security is high. The attack actually targeted a security outpost installed to guard Starbucks.
Here we see another example of the slowly transforming strategy of jihad. They chose a new-style of target, but for an old-fashioned reason.
If this was indeed carried out by Da’esh affiliates, I very much doubt that there was any significant coordination with Da’esh in Iraq and Syria.
Da’esh has become its own version of a multinational franchise, much like Al-Qaeda before it. Local groups can use the Da’esh brand name to increase their status and draw recruits; like a café entrepreneur can use the Starbucks name to give him an advantage in the market, and draw more customers.
Because they may still be stuck in the old mentality, they may fail to understand what they have done, and can potentially do to maximize the impact of what they have done.
They have forced the closure of every Starbucks in Jakarta. They are costing Starbucks tens of thousands of dollars with each hour that goes by. They have the absolute attention of one of the most influential, and openly politically-oriented corporations in the world.
Forget about the objective of scaring foreigners; they need to open a channel of communication directly with Starbucks
