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. 


Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa addresses the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN headquarters in New York, US, September 24, 2025.

How Syria’s president became the ‘star’ of the UN - analysis

A drone is displayed in an exhibition held by the Houthis to mark the 'Martyrs Week' in Sanaa, Yemen November 17, 2024.

Why the Houthi drone threat will continue - analysis

A handout image of the boat Free Willy sailing in the waters off the island of Crete, which is to join the Global Sumud Flotilla that has come under drone attack while trying to deliver aid to Gaza and break Israel's naval blockade, September 25, 2025.

Deployment of Italian, Spanish naval vessels complicates Gaza flotilla


Near Crete, Gaza flotilla must weigh next steps - analysis

Israel has called on the flotilla’s armada of ships to put in at Ashkelon and transfer the aid they claim to be carrying to Israeli officials.

A Palestinian flag is seen as people gather at the port of Ermoupolis before the departure of two sailing boats, Electra and Oxygen, part of the Global Sumud Flotilla aiming to reach Gaza and break Israel's naval blockade, on Syros island, Greece, September 14, 2025.

What to expect from Erdogan's visit to the US - analysis

Erdogan’s main agenda in the US this week includes a return to arms deals and increased pressure on the Israeli-Gaza war.

 US President Donald Trump (L) and Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) leave the stage after the family photo to head to the plenary session at the NATO summit at the Grove hotel in Watford, northeast of London on December 4, 2019

Egypt's military posture in Sinai and what it means for Israel - analysis

Egypt's goal is to make sure that the Gaza war doesn't spill over into Sinai.

Smoke rises in Egypt's North Sinai as seen from the border of the southern Gaza Strip with Egyp, on July 2, 2015.

No. 17: Danny Danon, Yechiel Leiter, Marc Stanley, Charles Kushner: Ambassadors to the world

From the United Nations to Washington’s diplomatic circles, from academic halls to faith-based communities, their influence has been transformational this past year.

  PUBLISH TOP 50/PREP ROTATION  REST OF ROTATION?  JAKE CALL   (L-R from top:) Charles Kushner, Yechiel Leiter, Danny Danon, Marc Stanley

Turkey moves to cement influence in Syria with security and transport deals - analysis

From security coordination to trade and aviation, Turkey is rapidly expanding its influence in post-conflict Syria.

 Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Presence of armed anti-Hamas groups growing in Gaza, reports indicate - analysis

While small, these groups may be able to aid Israel in removing Hamas from positions of power.

 Palestinian Hamas militants stand guard on the day of the handover of hostages in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, February 22, 2025.

Gaza-bound flotilla grows to 40 vessels after joining Sicilian group

The armada of about forty vessels is now roughly 1,000 miles from the coast of Gaza.

A screenshot from a drone video shows people lighting flares at the port of Ermoupolis during the departure of two sailing boats, Electra and Oxygen, part of the Global Sumud Flotilla aiming to reach Gaza and break Israel's naval blockade, on Syros island, Greece, September 14, 2025.

US forces kill key senior ISIS commander in Syria

The terrorist, known as "Abdul Rahman Al-Halabi," was the group's head of external operations and security, the Iraqi service said.

 Illustration of ISIS terrorists.

Allenby Crossing attack highlights rising terror threat from Jordan - analysis

Israeli officials have increasing concerns over threats that have come from the Kingdom of Jordan over the last several years. The last attack only confirms the concerns.

An Israeli military vehicle waits at a barrier, at the Allenby Bridge Crossing between the West Bank and Jordan, September 8, 2024.

The US sanctioned Iraqi militias, but will the militias be affected? - analysis

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps is suspected of funding and aiding non-state militias responsible for multiple violent attacks and raids in Iraq.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi attends a military parade for the members of Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) marking its eighth anniversary, in Diyala province, Iraq July 23, 2022.