Amb. (ret.) Gerald Feierstein is a distinguished seniorfellow on U.S. diplomacy at Middle East Institute (MEI).He retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in May 2016after a 41-year career with the personal rank of CareerMinister. As a diplomat he served in nine overseas postings,including three tours of duty in Pakistan, as well asassignments in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Lebanon, Jerusalem,and Tunisia. In 2010, President Obama appointed Amb.Feierstein U.S. Ambassador to Yemen, where he serveduntil 2013. From 2013 until his retirement, Amb. Feiersteinwas Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs.