 degrees in economics and history in Tübingen and New York and added a doctorate at SUNY Stony Brook before entering the Foreign Service in 1981.His diplomatic postings include Beirut, London, Bujumbura, Washington and Paris.Harald Braun also served as Chief of Staff to former Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher (1992–94) and Deputy Foreign and Security Adviser to the Federal Chancellor (2003–05).