Gerald M. Feierstein

Gerald Michael Feierstein (born 1951) was the United States Ambassador to Yemen under President Barack Obama from September 2010 to October 2013.[6][10][11] Since December 2013, Feierstein has served as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs in the Department of State.

Ambassador

Gerald Michael Feierstein[1]
Gerald M. Feierstein in official U.S. State Department photo
Born1951 (age 69–70)[2]
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Alma mater
OccupationCareer diplomat
Years active1975–present
EmployerSenior Foreign Service, Career Minister (FE-CM)[4]
PredecessorStephen Seche
SuccessorMatthew Tueller
Spouse(s)
Carolyn McIntyre
​
(m. 2015)​

Mary Gill Feierstein
​
​
(m. 1978; div. 2015)​
[5][6]
Children3
Notes

Background

Feierstein was born in 1951 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

He received a B.A. in Philosophy from Point Park College in 1973 and an M.A. in International Relations from Duquesne University in 1975.[6][10]

In June 1975, he joined the Foreign Service.[6][12]

Career

Diplomatic service

In June 1975, Feierstein joined the Foreign Service as Director of the Office of Regional Affairs in the Near East Bureau. He subsequently served as: Director of the Office of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh Affairs; Deputy Director in the Office of Arabian Peninsula Affairs; and Desk Officer for Nepal, Pakistan and Egypt.[13]

Between 2006 and 2008, Feierstein served in Washington, D.C. as Principal Deputy Assistant Coordinator and Deputy Assistant Coordinator for Programs in the Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism.

Feierstein has served at the following overseas posts:[13]

YearsLocationMissionNotes
1976–78Islamabad Pakistan
1983–85Tunis Tunisia
1985–87Riyadh Saudi Arabia
1989–92Peshawar Pakistan
1995–98Muscat OmanChargé d'affaires
1998–2001Jerusalem IsraelDeputy consul general
2003–04Beirut Lebanon
2008–10Islamabad PakistanDeputy Chief of Mission
2010–13Sana'a YemenAmbassador

In 2012, al Qaeda in Yemen offered 3 kilograms (96 ozt) of gold (about US$160,000)[14] for killing Ambassador Feierstein, and 5 million Yemeni riyals (about US$23,000)[14] for killing an American soldier in Yemen.[15][16][17][18][19]

Later

Since October 2016 , Feierstein has served as a Senior Fellow and Director for Gulf Affairs and Government Relations at the Middle East Institute.[20]

In November 2018, the MEI Board of Directors named Feierstein as Senior Vice President of the Institute.

In December 2020, the Sana'a Center reported that the U.S. had developed what was called the Yemen Steering Initiative under Secretary James Mattis which sought to develop an international comprehensive plan to advance Yemen out of a failed and into a functioning state in the are of politics, the economy and security but the Trump Administration chose not to support. The former U.S. Ambassador to Yemen Gerald M. Feierstein and the former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East Mick Mulroy were spearheading and initiative met to update this plan to present to the Biden Administration.[21]

Personal life

Feierstein met his first wife, Mary, who is Pakistani, while first posted in Islamabad.[22] His son served two combat tours in the United States Marine Corps during the Iraq War.[5] In 2015, the marriage ended in divorce. In 2015, Feierstein married Carolyn McIntyre.

References
  1. "Gerald Michael Feierstein - Bio, News, Photos". Washington Times. Retrieved 2013-01-03.
  2. "Office of the Historian". U.S. Department of State. Retrieved 2013-01-03. Gerald Feierstein (1951-), Foreign Service officer, State of Residence: Pennsylvania
  3. Crosby, Wes (December 2, 2010). "DU grad named Yemeni ambassador". The Duquesne Duke. Duquesne University.
  4. "State Magazine November 2010". U.S. Department of State. Archived from the original on 2013-03-02. Retrieved 2013-01-03.
  5. Feierstein, Gerald M. (July 19, 2010). "statement of Ambassador-Designate to the Republic of Yemen" (PDF). U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. Retrieved 2010-11-26.
  6. "Embassy biography". Yemen.usembassy.gov. September 17, 2010. Archived from the original on December 31, 2010. Retrieved November 26, 2010.
  7. "AllGov - Officials". AllGov. Retrieved 2013-01-02.
  8. "1972-1973 Point Park University". Archived from the original on 2015-03-29. Retrieved 2013-01-02. (list of missing alumni)
  9. "Alumnus Gerald M. Feierstein is New Ambassador to Yemen" (PDF). The Point: A Magazine for Alumni and Friends of Point Park University. Pittsburgh: Park Point University. 2011. p. 36. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-09-27. Retrieved 2013-01-03.
  10. "New American ambassador to Yemen". Yemen Times. September 17, 2010. Archived from the original on October 19, 2010. Retrieved November 26, 2010.
  11. "Gerald Feierstein biography". state.gov. 2011. Archived from the original on 2010-11-28. Retrieved 2011. Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  12. "Duquesne Alumnus Seated as Ambassador to Yemen". The Duquesne Duke. Duquesne University. November 16, 2010.
  13. "Ambassador to Yemen: Who Is Gerald Feierstein?". February 19, 2011. Retrieved 2013-01-03.
  14. OANDA Currency/precious metals Converter for December 31, 2012
  15. "Al-Qaeda puts gold bounty on head of Jewish US ambassador in Yemen". The Times of Israel. Associated Press. December 31, 2012. Retrieved 2013-01-02.
  16. "Al-Qaida places bounty on the head of Jewish U.S. envoy to Yemen". The Jewish Journal. TRIBE Media Corp., formerly Los Angeles Jewish Publications, Inc. Jewish Telegraphic Agency. December 31, 2012.
  17. Lowenthal Marcus, Lori (January 3, 2013). "Al Qaeda Puts Bounty on Jewish US Envoy's Head (Video)". TheJewishPress.com.
  18. "Al Qaeda Places Bounty on Head of US Ambassador to Yemen". Jspace. January 2, 2013. Archived from the original on January 7, 2013. Retrieved 2013-01-03.
  19. Morrison, James (December 30, 2012). "Embassy Row: Hit list". Washington Times. Retrieved 2013-01-02.
  20. "Gerald M. Feierstein". Retrieved 16 October 2018.
  21. https://sanaacenter.org/publications/the-yemen-review/12070#QandA
  22. Itkowitz, Colby (September 13, 2012). "Philadelphia-born ambassador to Yemen doesn't fear for his safety". The Morning Call. Allentown, Pennsylvania. Retrieved 2013-01-03.
  • Montagne, Renée (January 20, 2011). "U.S. Tries To Work Against Extremists In Yemen". National Public Radio. Missing or empty |url= (help)
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by
Stephen A. Seche		 United States Ambassador to Yemen
2010–2013		 Succeeded by
Matthew H. Tueller
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