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.

Iraqi anti-government protesters take cover from security forces firing tear gas to keep demonstrators from storming the Green Zone, which hosts government offices and foreign offices, on October 28, 2019 in Baghdad.

Iranian-backed militia Badr admits it killed, wounded thousands of protesters in Iraq in 2019

A member of the Kurdistan Free Life Party, known as PJAK, stands inside a tunnel at a site near the Iraqi border with Iran, on the outskirts of Penjwen, in Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region, Iraq, March 24, 2026.

Iranian attacks on Iraqi Kurdistan aim to transform Iraq into buffer zone, spread war - analysis

Mourners attend the funeral of Haider al-Moussawi, head of the security unit in the Shi'ite armed group Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada, and senior Hezbollah figure Abu Ali Khalil, who were killed in an Israeli airstrike on Tehran, amid the Iran-Israel conflict, in Baghdad, Iraq, June 22, 2025.

Iraqi militias raise new conditions for disarmament, Iraq takes 'wait-and-see' approach - analysis


Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in Cairo for meeting with Egypt President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi

According to Chinese state media Xinhua, Xi said that China and Egypt "set an example of friendship, solidarity, and coordination between developing countries, with strong political mutual trust."

China's President Xi Jinping and his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi wave upon his arrival at the Cairo International Airport, in Cairo, Egypt, September 1, 2026.

Putin, Xi attempt to rally SCO leaders behind a new multipolar world order in Kyrgyzstan - analysis

Russia and China used the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit to promote a multipolar world order, with leaders criticizing unilateralism and calling for greater influence for non-Western powers.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping inspect an honor guard during a welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People state building in Beijing in May.

US diplomatic reshuffle in Iraq comes at critical moment for Baghdad and Washington - analysis

US Chargé d’Affaires Joshua Harris is ending his posting in Baghdad as Washington prepares for a diplomatic transition amid the planned US troop withdrawal from Iraq and ongoing tensions.

 An illustrative image of the Syrian and Iraqi flags.

Xi's visit to Egypt marks Chinese interest in Middle East, Egypt's push to keep growing - analysis

Even if it is the first visit in a decade by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Egypt, and relations between the countries keep growing, China still seems to be cautious with its policy.

Chinese President Xi Jinping walks past guards of honour as he takes part in a welcoming ceremony in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, August 31, 2026.

Kurds in Syria, Iraq fight against 'Arabization' with language, but might need to push harder

Both in Syria and Iraq, there are rising reports of pushes for Arabic to become a main language and demographic changes in Kurdish areas, with officials needing to tackle these issues.

Children hold signs on the day Syrian Kurds demonstrate to mark Kurdish Language Day, demanding constitutional recognition of the Kurdish language by the Syrian government, in Qamishli, Syria, May 14, 2026.

Iraq sentences militia member for kidnapping American journalist, in rare move against Iran proxies

“Iraq's Central Criminal Court has sentenced Amir Rahim Jabar Lazim to 15 years in prison under the Anti-Terrorism Law," read the announcement shared by the victim, journalist Shelly Kittelson.

Youths ride vehicles while waving flags of Iraq, Iran, Lebanon and Hezbollah in Baghdad on June 15, 2026, during celebrations following the announcement of a deal to end the war between Iran and the US.

Iran views Jordan, UAE as targets that won't hit back, even if attacks include US bases - analysis

With the recent pact signed by Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, and the attempt to improve relations with Qatar, only Jordan and the UAE remain as targets for retaliation.

A security personnel stands guard as Iranians take part in a protest marking the annual al-Quds Day, on the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan, in Tehran, Iran, March 13, 2026

Regional geopolitical shifts felt as Mecca agreement, Israel-Greek pacts develop - analysis

The two events happening on the same day are a coincidence, because both have been in the works for some time. However, it is symbolic of how the Middle East is being reshaped.

Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, and Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud prepare to pose for a picture before the first committee meeting under the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement.

Syria’s credit card comeback, Damascus International Fair mark return to global economy

Syria can now process credit card payments again, symbolizing Syria's re-entry into the international system after years of isolation.

Artists perform on stage during the opening ceremony of the Damascus International Fair in Damascus, Syria, August 26, 2026.

Gaza's catch-22: Trump's peace plan caught between Hamas disarmament, Israeli withdrawal - analysis

With Israeli elections making it impossible for officials to offer a solution on Gaza, the US will need to act in order to change the situation and take Hamas out.

Palestinians are seen walking in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza Strip, August 12, 2026