Banner mourners were signing during a candlelight vigil for bomb victims a day after two explosions hit the Boston Marathon, in Boston, Massachusetts April 16, 2013 (photo: reuters.com)

Two bomb blasts near the finish line of the marathon in Boston turned a cheerful sport event into a bloody scene. 3 people were killed and 170 others were injured. The deaths may increase because many injured people are in critical condition.

Immediately after the attacks, US President Barack Obama asked for tighter security nationwide and pledged to bring those responsible to justice. The incident reminds people of the terrorist attacks 10 years ago. It is considered the first challenge for President Obama in his 2^nd term, who said he will focus on gun control, immigration, the budget deficit, and combating terrorism.  

Leaders of the European Union and NATO have denounced the bombings. The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) called the bombings an attack on human bravery and humanity. Russia, China, Germany, France, Iran, Afghanistan, Singapore, and Turkey condemned the attack and expressed their unity with the American people. Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and many world leaders have sent messages of condolences to President Obama.

The word “terror” was not used by Obama and American officials but the incident has reminded the international community of terrorist attacks in the past. More than 10 years ago, the terrorist attack on September 11 profoundly changed the security situation in the US and the world. Washington launched a war in Afghanistan to hunt and destroy the stronghold of the Al Qaeda terrorist group. The 10-year operation culminated in terrorist leader Osama bin Laden being shot dead in Pakistan in May, 2011. The American people were relieved of a serious worry and the administration decided to withdraw troops from Afghanistan. But the bombing on Tuesday made many people change their thinking. It occurred at a sensitive time when the US is preparing to celebrate the two year anniversary of the killing of bin Laden on May 2^nd and he Patriot’s Day on April 15. The crime scene was a sporting event attended by 27,000 people. The attack in Boston, which is a big economic hub and considered a city of education as it hosts Harvard University, was a shock for the US and the world. The Taliban in Pakistan rejected any connection to the bombing, and many analysts say the attack man have been conducted by domestic right-wing extremists.    

The FBI, the leading US intelligence unit combating terrorism, is investigating the case. Charles Stone, who was part of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s bomb task force, said he saw similarities between Monday's Boston bombing and the 1996 bombing at the Atlanta Olympics. The twin attack has set new challenges to US security.

The attack has impacted the US securities market. The S&P 500 index retracted 2%, the Dow Jones lost 1.79%, and Nasdaq plunged 1.94%. The more dangerous impact is the American people’s obsession with the terrorist attack a decade ago.