Michael R. Fenzel

Michael R. Fenzel (born 29 July 1967) is a United States Army lieutenant general who served as the United States Security Coordinator for Israel and the Palestinian Authority from November 2, 2021. He most recently served as the vice director for strategy, plans, and policy of the Joint Staff (J5). Before serving in that position, he was the Military Deputy to the Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation in the United States Department of State. During the attacks on 11 September 2001, Fenzel, as a major, served as a Director for Transnational Threats

In July 2021, Fenzel was nominated for promotion to lieutenant general and assignment as the United States Security Coordinator for Israel and the Palestinian Authority, replacing Mark C. Schwartz.

In 2025, a documentary alleged that U.S. officials had modified conclusions reached during a review of the 2022 killing of Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. Fenzel stated he stood by the integrity of his team's work and the findings and recommendations of the classified summation report.

He earned degrees from Johns Hopkins University (BA), U.S. Naval War College (MA), Harvard University (MPA), and Naval Postgraduate School (PhD).

Early life and education Fenzel graduated from Johns Hopkins University in May 1989, where he was a member of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) and commissioned into the infantry. He went on to earn a bachelor's degree in economics from Johns Hopkins University, master's degrees from the U.S. Naval War College and Harvard University, as well as a PhD in national security studies from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School. During the Gulf War, on February 24, 1990, he led his platoon across the Saudi Arabian border "into a huge sandstorm and heavy fighting" as a 22-year-old platoon leader. He successfully brought all 35 of his soldiers back safely after four days of combat.

Following the Gulf War, Fenzel deployed to Bosnia in 1995–1996 as part of Operation Joint Endeavor. In 1996, he commanded a company of 170 soldiers that forcibly entered and defended the United States embassy in Monrovia, Liberia, during that nation's civil war (Operation Assured Response). During Operation Enduring Freedom, he served as deputy commander of Combined Task Force Devil, and later as commander of Task Force Eagle (1st Battalion, 503rd Airborne) in eastern Paktika Province. Prior to that, he commanded the 1st Armored Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team.

Publications In 2017, Fenzel wrote the book No Miracles: The Failure of Soviet Decision-Making in the Afghan War, published by Stanford University Press.

Awards and decorations