The Salafi movement in Yemen has historically been mostly apolitical, but the 2011 uprising has deeply transformed the Islamist camp.

The bombings of the U.S. embassy in Sana’a this past September points to possibilities of an increased presence of Al-Qaeda in Yemen. Understanding the context in which Jihadi groups emerge, the role of apolitical Salafi groups in the broader Salafism debate, and Saudi Arabia's role in defining the global Salafi movement is vital for the creation of proper policy responses in the region.