Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 2, 2026

Jonathan Schanzer

Jonathan Schanzer is an American author and executive director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD). He oversees the work of the organization's experts and scholars.

Last revised
Jul 2, 2026
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Jonathan Schanzer
Schanzer in 2023
OccupationsAuthor and executive director, Foundation for Defense of Democracies
Websiteschanzer.pundicity.com

Jonathan Schanzer is an American author and executive director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD).1 He oversees the work of the organization's experts and scholars.

Early life and education

Schanzer graduated from Emory University with a bachelor's degree and from Hebrew University of Jerusalem with a master's in Middle Eastern history.2 In 2001, he studied Arabic at the American University in Cairo.3 He received his doctorate from King's College London, and wrote his dissertation on anti-terrorism efforts of the US Congress.4

Career

After graduating, Schanzer returned to the U.S. and worked at the Middle East Forum in Philadelphia and The Washington Institute for Near East Policy.2 He then worked at the U.S. Treasury Department as a counterterrorist analyst.356

In 2007, Schanzer was appointed Director of Policy of the Jewish Policy Center (JPC), a think tank tied to the Republican Jewish Coalition.2 He was also editor of inFOCUS Quarterly, a JPC journal.47

Schanzer is the executive director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.58 He joined the FDD in February 2010 and is a member of its Centre on Sanctions and Illicit Finance.4

Media appearances

Schanzer has provided commentary on Middle Eastern affairs for broadcast and online media outlets. In a 2023 episode of PBS's Firing Line with Margaret Hoover, he discussed the Israel-Hamas war, hostage negotiations, and Iran's role in the region.9 In interviews with RealClearPolitics in 2021 and 2023, Schanzer discussed the Gaza conflict, Hamas, Israel, Iran, and humanitarian conditions in Gaza.1011 In a 2021 C-SPAN interview, he spoke about the Gaza conflict and U.S. counterterrorism policy.1213 Schanzer has also appeared on independent platforms such as SmartHER News and The One Way Ticket Show.1415

Publications

  • Hamas vs. Fatah: The Struggle for Palestine, Palgrave Macmillan (November 11, 2008) ISBN 0-230-60905-8.16
  • Al-Qaeda's Armies: Middle East Affiliate Groups & The Next Generation of Terror, Washington Institute for Near East Policy (October 1, 2004) ISBN 1-56171-884-X.17
  • State of Failure: Yasser Arafat, Mahmoud Abbas and the Unmaking of the Palestinian State, (October 29, 2013) ISBN 978-113727824118
  • Gaza Conflict 2021: Hamas, Israel and Eleven Days of War, Foundation for Defense of Democracies Press (November 10, 2021) ISBN 978-1956450019.
References

References

Citations

  1. "Jonathan Schanzer Executive Director". Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
  2. "Homegrown Pundit Appointed to Think Tank | The Jewish Exponent". 2007-09-22. Archived from the original on 2007-09-22. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  3. "Jonathan Schanzer". Young America's Foundation. Retrieved 2025-05-20.
  4. "Author Jonathan Schanzer to speak on Middle East developments". Oglethorpe University. Retrieved 2025-05-20.
  5. "Who's behind the pro-Palestinian protests that are disrupting Biden's campaign events and blocking city streets?". NBC News. 2024-03-20. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  6. "So finanziert sich die Hamas". euronews (in German). 2023-11-02. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  7. Snyder, Mark. "Former counterterrorism analyst talks terror at special event". Wicked Local. Retrieved 2025-05-22.
  8. Marcus, Imanuel (2024-01-10). "Hamas-Terror: Warum Israel Yahya Sinwar nicht einfach tötet". Jüdische Allgemeine (in German). Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  9. Firing Line | Jonathan Schanzer | Season 2023. Retrieved 2025-10-02 – via www.pbs.org.
  10. Walworth, Andy (2021). "Gaza, Hamas, and Israel". www.realclearpolitics.com. Retrieved 2025-10-02.
  11. Schwartz, Ian (2023-10-12). "Hamas, Israel, Iran and the Human Tragedy in Gaza with Jonathan Schanzer". www.realclearpolitics.com. Retrieved 2025-10-02.
  12. "Gaza Conflict 2021". Retrieved 2025-10-02.
  13. "Radio: Jonathan Schanzer on U.S. Efforts to Combat Terrorism". Retrieved 2025-10-02.
  14. "SmartHER News-Episode 15-Jonathan Schanzer". Podbay. Retrieved 2025-10-02.
  15. "INTERVIEW: Debrief On The Middle East - SmartHER News". smarthernews.com. 2023-10-12. Retrieved 2025-10-02.
  16. Richard, Augustus (11 November 2008). Hamas vs. Fatah: The Struggle For Palestine (9780230609051): Jonathan Schanzer, Daniel Pipes: Books. ISBN 978-0230609051.
  17. John, Colonel (2005). Al-Qaeda's Armies: Middle East Affiliate Groups & The Next Generation of Terror (9781561718849): Jonathan Schanzer, Dennis Ross: Books. ISBN 156171884X.
  18. "Jonathan Schanzer | Jewish Book Council". www.jewishbookcouncil.org. Retrieved 2025-05-22.

Sources

External links