John Dimitri Negroponte (born July 21, 1939) (IPA ) is a career diplomat currently serving as Director of National Intelligence for the United States. Negroponte served in the United States Foreign Service from 1960 to 1997 and was the US ambassador to the United Nations from September of 2001 until June 2004 and as US ambassador to Iraq from June 2004 to April 2005. He held the position of Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs from 1985 to 1987; his career has also included positions such as Deputy Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs from 1987 to 1989, Ambassador to Mexico from 1989 to 1993 and Ambassador to the Philippines from 1993 to 1996. Negroponte sits as a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the American Academy of Diplomacy and is former chairman of the French-American Foundation. Supporters often point to his success in so many prestigious roles as proof that Mr. Negroponte is very qualified and quite experienced. Critics claim that Negroponte was heavily involved in questionable operations such as the Iran-Contra Scandal while ambassador to Honduras.