Most discussion of Yemen revolves around politics and security, while heritage conservation is being largely ignored. This situation has led directly to alarm over the condition of two World Heritage sites, Zabid and Old Sana’a, over the loss of cultural effects through theft and looting, and over serious deterioration of built environments and landscapes because of neglect or ineffectual policy enforcement. Such circumstances threaten built heritage and urban landscapes, which are major outputs of Yemeni cultural production, but Yemeni heritage has yet to figure prominently on the agenda of international ‘friends’ supporting the nation during its political transition. Some government and independent agencies have recently led successful efforts to conserve built heritage in the country, as well as select urban landscapes. Many of these sites are in serious need of preservation and restoration, and they offer possible hope for investment and economic stimulus as tourist destinations, centers of artisanal craft manufacturing, or vocational and specialist training centers in the future. Yet, they generally attract little outside interest because of the assumption that conservation work is either not possible now due to a lack of security or is not worth the investment for the same reason. This paper challenges that assumption by discussing recent attempts to preserve cultural landscapes and urban heritage in Yemen through policy-led intervention, private initiative, and individual effort. It examines five important historic and cultural sites to consider conservation efforts that have been unsuccessful, partly or mostly successful, and one that is currently in progress: specifically, the sites of Jibla, Zabid, Thula, Shibam/Kawkaban, and the restoration of the National Museum watchtower in Sana’a. Interviews with the experts who worked on these projects, as well as government officials will be the primary methodology. The underlying guiding question of the research is whether current political and security concerns prevent proper conservation, or whether such conservation can be largely successful and sustainable even in the current political and security environment. The site currently undergoing restoration presents a unique opportunity to discuss this question and to look at influencing factors as work unfolds. The paper will analyze which methods and factors have led to successful conservation and restoration efforts, with an aim of devising criteria for successful completion and sustaining of such projects.