Seth J. Frantzman

Seth J. Frantzman is the senior Middle East Correspondent and analyst at The Jerusalem Post. He has covered the war against Islamic State, several Gaza wars, the conflict in Ukraine, refugee crises in Eastern Europe, and also reported from Iraq, Turkey, Jordan, Egypt, Senegal, the UAE, Ukraine, and Russia since 2011. He is the author of three books: The October 7 War: Israel's Battle for Security in Gaza (2024), Drone Wars: Pioneers, Killing Machines, Artificial Intelligence, and the Battle for the Future (2021), and After ISIS: America, Iran and the Struggle for the Middle East (2019). He is an adjunct fellow at The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD).

Born in Maine, he received his Ph.D from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 2010. He previously served as a research associate at the Rubin Center for Research in International Affairs at the Interdisciplinary Center, Herzliya and a lecturer in American Studies at Al-Quds University. He is Executive Director of The Middle East Center for Reporting and Analysis and was a Ginsburg/Milstein Writing Fellow at the Middle East Forum. Frantzman has conducted research and worked for the JDC, The Shalem Center, the Jerusalem Institute for Market Studies, and as a Post-Doctoral at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He was a Congressional intern for Congressman Jim Kolbe while studying at The University of Arizona. 

He is a public speaker and frequent guest on various media as well as a contributor to Defense News, The Hill, The Spectator, and The National Interest, among other publications. His current interests include regional security and geopolitics. 


Then-US president George W. Bush (L) and then-vice president Dick Cheney (R) celebrate at the conclusion of the 2004 Republican National Convention at Madison Square Garden in New York, September 2, 2004.

The Cheney era: How the powerful VP shaped US power, its Middle East missteps - analysis

Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani attends the 34th Arab League summit, in Baghdad, Iraq, May 17, 2025.

Iraq worries about rising tensions with US following Hegseth call

Kurdish internal security forces stand guard after seizing a quantity of captagon pills in Qamishli, Syria, March 25, 2025.

Syria's new government struggles to fight Captagon, narcotics trafficking - analysis


'We identified our weaknesses and those from our enemies': Iran's Araghchi warns Israel - analysis

Araghchi warned that Iran has learned from the 12-day war, especially by "showing that Israel's air defenses can be penetrated."

 Image of Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi against a backdrop of the Iranian flag, US flag and fire.

Turkey signals Hamas could hand over power in Gaza, as Turks seek influence in Strip - report

Emirati newspaper Al-Ain pointed out that recent actions taken by the Turkish government might indicate point to Hamas adharence to the ceasefire, while the Turks seek to gain influence in the Strip.

A Hamas terrorist stands guard as workers search for hostage remains.

Iraq approaches critical Nov. 11 elections, set to deploy nearly 200,000 security personnel

The elections are important because Iraq is undergoing a transitional phase.

Supporters of candidates from the Badr Organization hold signs during an election campaign rally ahead of Iraq's parliamentary elections in the city of Hilla, Iraq, November 1, 2025.

From Belgium to Sinai: Rising drone threats challenge global security and defense - analysis

The drone threat in Europe is linked to a wider drone threat around the world as drones proliferate and become cheaper and easier for various groups or countries to use.

A man examines Russia Iranian drone a Shahed 136 (Geranium-2), a new exhibit of open air exhibition destroyed Russian equipment in Kyiv on October 27, 2025, amid Russian invasion in Ukraine.

US Central Command posts video of suspected Hamas terrorists looting Gaza aid convoy

Drone footage released by the United States Central Command appears to show a truck carrying humanitarian aid being hijacked in the Gaza Strip.

Trucks carry aid for Palestinians, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, October 14, 2025.

If Hezbollah continues resisting disarmament, Lebanon cannot move forward - analysis

Hezbollah is continuing to position itself as the defender of Lebanon as a “free, sovereign, independent Arab nation," despite official Lebanese army efforts to disarm the terror group.

A Hezbollah supporter holds a Palestinian flag and a cutout image of late Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah at a ceremony held by Hezbollah to commemorate the first anniversary of Nasrallah's killing by Israel, on the outskirts of Beirut, Lebanon, September 27, 2025.

Syrian army starts training in Turkey, while Ankara gains influence over Damascus gov't - analysis

Forty-nine Syrians have begun training in Turkey, as part of a new program that will allow Syrian troops to use Turkish military barracks and academies.

Armored personnel carriers stand outside a compound of the Syrian army's new 80th Division in northwest Syria, June 3, 2025.

Syria recognizes Kosovo as Sharaa gov't continues to move towards western alignment - analysis

The recognition comes as President Ahmed al-Sharaa welcomed the German foreign minister to Damascus. Kosovo has also been connecting with Saudi Arabia and other countries in the region.

Syrian Pres. Ahmed al-Sharaa with Saudi PM Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, and Kosovo Pres. Vjosa Osmani.

Lebanon demands Israeli strikes stop, but does not address Hezbollah disarmament - analysis

The ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon should mean that there are no Israeli strikes against Hezbollah, but that would only stop when the Lebanese Gov't starts disarming them.

 Smoke billows from Nabatieh district, following Israeli strikes, according to two Lebanese security sources, as seen from Marjayoun, in southern Lebanon, May 8, 2025.

In major play for Middle East future, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkey seek closer ties - analysis

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian emphasized that strengthening relations between Iran and Turkey has undoubtedly become "more important than ever."

 Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqhchi looks on during a press conference in Istanbul, Turkey, June 22, 2025.