All Terrorism is Local

From the BBC:

At least 23 people have been killed and many others injured in explosions at international hotels in the Jordanian capital Amman, security officials say.

The Grand Hyatt hotel, Radisson and Days Inn hotels were all hit in near-simultaneous blasts.

Police say they suspect the attacks were carried out by suicide bombers.

Jordan, a key US ally in the Middle East, has long been regarded as a prime target for attacks by radical Islamic militants, correspondents say.
[...]
A favourite with businessmen and Westerners, the hotel was packed when the device there went off.
[...]
The Radisson explosion ripped through a banqueting room where about 250 people were attending a wedding reception. "We thought it was fireworks for the wedding but I saw people falling to the ground," said Ahmed, a wedding guest who did not give his surname.

I also just received an email from my step-mother, CB, noting that my step-sister MC--who is now living and working in Amman--is fine and slept through the explosions (though I don't believe she's at either hotel). CB adds:

As you know, we stayed at the Grand Hyatt for two months when we were there recently. It’s an absolutely beautiful hotel with some of the finest service in the world. We got to know many of the staff while we were there as they helped us with our pitiful Arabic, and I worry that some of them may have been injured or killed. It’s very sad.

[UPDATE - 4:30pm Pacific] From the WaPo:

Explosions ripped through three hotels in the Jordanian capital Wednesday night, killing at least 53 persons and wounding more than 120, a top government official said.

Deputy Prime Minister Marwan Muasher said the blasts were all "apparently suicide attacks" and that most of the casualties were Jordanians.