The men who conducted the attacks — all Bangladeshis in their late teens or early 20s — do not fit the prevailing perception of militants as poor, disaffected and uneducated. Most of them hailed from affluent families and studied at some of the country's top private universities. In fact, one assailant was the son of a politician in Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League. Their wanton act of destruction was thus not driven by material deprivation, a motive often used to explain extremism among young men. The Islamic State claimed responsibility, even posting pictures of the hostage scene on its website to prove its involvement. Considering the jihadist group's social media-based recruiting prowess, it is hardly surprising that it could attract young, educated and affluent recruits. The Islamic State's involvement illustrates its continued success in spreading its influence beyond Syria and Iraq.