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. 


Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli airstrike that destroyed a residential building earlier today, in Gaza City, September 6, 2025

Was Gaza's destruction, high death toll necessary for Israel's war on Hamas? - analysis

A drone is pictured during a large-scale drone combat exercise of Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran, in Semnan, Iran January 4, 2021. Picture taken January 4, 2021

Gas field in Kurdistan region of northern Iraq on alert after drone threat

People inspect a damaged building, after Israeli military said on Sunday that it struck a militant from the Lebanese Iran-aligned Hezbollah group, in Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon November 23, 2025.

Beirut airstrike could be warning message from Israel to Iran, Hamas - analysis


Iraq pushes for Syrian border wall, threatening Iran's regional influence - analysis

Iranian-backed militias used to infiltrate into Syria via the unguarded border - as such, any wall would actually hurt Iran’s project to control the Middle East.

An Iraqi army post stands along a section of the 600-kilometer  Iraqi border with Syria, on December 26, 2024

New clashes shake eastern Syria as SDF and Damascus forces trade fire - analysis

Erdogan says Turkey is considering joining an international Gaza stabilization force as it reviews deployment options and ceasefire monitoring.

Armed members of the Syrian Democratic Forces' (SDF) military police take part in a demonstration under the banner “With our will, we will protect our revolution”, in Qamishli, Syria, September 17, 2025.

How Israel’s 12-day war on Iran achieved remarkable military success - analysis

The report illustrates key aspects and successes of Rising Lion, and that Israel has the capacity for great success when it plans for a decisive campaign.

 IR SUPERIORITY proved the decisive factor in both the Six Day War and Israel’s 12-day war against Iran. During Operation Rising Lion, dozens of IDF fighter jets conducted waves of strikes across Iran, decimating the country’s defense systems – more than 1,500 km. from Israeli territory.

Aoun promises army control in south, but Lebanon still can’t disarm Hamas or Hezbollah - analysis

Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun announced that the army will launch a peace initiative in southern Lebanon, taking control of additional positions along the border.

Palestinians celebrate the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, in Burj al-Barajneh refugee camp in Beirut, Lebanon January 19, 2025.

What those surprised by the Trump-Mamdani meeting do not understand - analysis

The newly elected mayor of New York City and the president, a native New Yorker, discussed affordability, energy costs, and Israel before ahead of Mamdani taking office.

US President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani shake hands as they meet in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC, US, November 21, 2025.

Can a European-trained Palestinian police force in Gaza stop Hamas infiltration? - analysis

Creating a police force is a necessary way to stabilize an area after conflict. The EU can play a role, but it needs to act to do so. 

Hamas terrorists escort members of the Red Cross towards an area within the Yellow Line in Gaza City, November 20, 2025

Israel faces future multi-front war, despite promises of 'total victory' - analysis

Avoiding the endless multi-front low-level conflict could be a strategy for setting Israel’s house in order.

Iranians attend a rally in support of Palestinians in Gaza after the news of a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, in Tehran, Iran, January 17, 2025

Iran's decision to release seized Talara tanker opens many questions about Hormuz safety - analysis

The incident shows how easily Iran can still harass shipping. It’s unclear whether Iran received a warning from the US or released the vessel for other reasons.

 AN IRANIAN military ship takes part in a drill in the coastal area of the Gulf of Oman, near the Strait of Hormuz, in 2022.

Why Saudi Arabia becoming part of major non-NATO allies of US group matters - analysis

Saudi Arabia’s joining the group of twenty Major Non-NATO Allies of the United States is an important step for Riyadh-Washington relations.

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman arrives for meetings on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., US, November 19, 2025.

Kurdistan’s security architecture recast as Peshmerga unification continues

The Kurdistan region has its own armed forces, the Peshmerga. Among the largest units are the KDP and PUK, which each have tens of thousands of fighters.

A KURDISH peshmerga soldier stands at a lookout near Bashiqa in northern Iraq