Anwar al-Awlaki was a Yemeni-American cleric and Islamic militant born in 1971. He gained notoriety for his radical views and was associated with al-Qaeda, promoting extremist ideologies through his speeches and writings. Al-Awlaki was known for his ability to connect with Western audiences, particularly through the internet. In 2010, he became a key figure in al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and was linked to several terrorist plots. The U.S. government targeted him due to his involvement in inciting violence, leading to a controversial drone strike in Yemen in 2011 that resulted in his death.