The Honorable Joseph Ghougassian is the former US Ambassador to the State of Qatar. He received his BA and MA in Philosophy from the Gregorian University in Rome and his PhD in Philosophy from the University of Louvain, Belgium. In 1974 while on sabbatical leave, Ghougassian completed Post-Graduate studies in Family, Marriage Sex Counseling. Upon completing his doctoral courses, Ghougassian began his teaching career at the age of 22, as a faculty member of the University of San Diego (1966-1986). While teaching full time, he earned a new MA in International Relations from the University of San Diego, and his JD from its Law School. Dr. Ghougassian authored books on Personality Psychology, Contemporary Arabic Philosophy, Greco-Roman Philosophy, and Women Studies and wrote professional articles on a wide range of subjects from international trade, to psychotherapy, philosophy, politics, diplomacy, law, foreign affairs. Dr. Ghougassian began his government services in 1981, as a member of President of the White House Staff of President Reagan. He was Director of the Peace Corps in Yemen, and the first ever naturalized US Ambassador from the Middle East. From May 1, 2003 to August 31, 2004, he was a high ranking official in the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq. He was knighted by Pope John Paul II for having succeeded to influence the Government of Qatar to lift a 14 century ban on the practice of Christianity and other non-Muslim religion in the State of Qatar. Currently he is Chairman and CEO of Arabian Gulf Consultants, a California Corporation involved in international business and international law. He speaks French, Italian, Arabic, Armenian, English and some Spanish.