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.

A DJI Mini 3 drone flies above the ground on February 8, 2026 in Radstock, England.

Growing Hezbollah drone threat shows Israel's innovation race is in its infancy - analysis

Iraqi Interior Minister Abdul Amir al-Shammari (C) arrives at the police club stadium in Baghdad on June 5, 2023, during the annual sports festival of the Iraqi Ministry of Interior.

Iraq signs anti-drone deal for Baghdad but leaves Kurdistan vulnerable to attacks - analysis

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence and Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and UAE National Security Adviser, arrive at Doha International Airport, in Doha, Qatar, September 10, 2025

UAE taking advantage of long-term global energy needs by leaving OPEC - analysis


Iraq names little-known banker Ali al-Zaidi as PM after five-month deadlock

The real story of Zaidi is that he is largely unknown and appears to have been chosen almost by chance, as if Iraq’s politicians simply settled on a random figure to lead the country.

Iraqi President Nizar Amedi and Ali al-Zaidi, the nominee of Iraq's Shiite Coordination Framework for prime minister, stand with political figures during a ceremony where Zaidi was tasked with forming a new government, in Baghdad, Iraq, April 27, 2026.

Araghchi visit highlights Iran-Russia coordination during US-Iran conflict tensions

Iran turns to Moscow as its foreign minister meets Putin, underscoring efforts to secure backing amid stalled US talks and growing uncertainty over the Iran-Israel conflict dynamics.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi meets with the Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (2nd R) in St. Petersburg, Russia on April 27, 2026.

US offers $10 million for information about three Iraqi militia leaders

On April 24, the United States also offered a $10m. reward for Hishim Finyan Rahim al-Saraji, known as Abu Ala al-Walai, the head of Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada, an Iraqi paramilitary group.

A boy holds an Iraqi flag near the Iranian embassy during a gathering following the announcement of a ceasefire between Iran and the United States, in Baghdad, Iraq, April 8, 2026.

Hezbollah enhances drone capabilities by learning from Ukraine war tactics - analysis

Hezbollah is upgrading its drone tactics by incorporating fiber-optic tech and strategies from the Ukraine war, aiming to enhance its attacks against Israel amid supply shortages and evolving threats

 A drone is seen during a military exercise in an undisclosed location in Iran, in this handout image obtained on October 4, 2023.

Africa's Mali crisis widens as extremist groups advance and state control erodes - analysis

Mali is experiencing a major escalation in violence, with jihadist groups advancing and the defense minister assassinated. The crisis threatens to destabilize the Sahel region.

 A column of black smoke rises above buildings as traffic passes the Africa Tower monument in Bamako on April 26, 2026.

Syria opens first public trial of former Assad regime official Atef Najib

Syria has opened its first public trial for a former Assad regime official, Atef Najib, marking a shift toward accountability. The trial focuses on crimes committed in Dara’a and Damascus.

Atef Najib, a brigadier general and former head of the Political Security Department in Daraa during Syria's ousted President Bashar al-Assad's rule, who is accused of committing war crimes, attends a trial session at the Palace of Justice, in Damascus, Syria, April 26, 2026.

Lebanon won’t disarm Hezbollah, but will attack a 'generator owner'

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam described the harsh actions of security forces as "unacceptable" following the man's arrest.

A Lebanese Armed Forces (LIF) checkpoint is seen in the border village of Ayta al-Chaab, southern Lebanon, near the Israeli border, on February 23, 2026.

US cancels envoy travel, shifts from talks to pressure as Iran’s divisions deepen - analysis

Meanwhile, Tehran also doesn’t seem to be in a hurry. This comes as the White House has also indicated it is willing to settle in for the long term on the conflict with Iran.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance speaks during a news conference after meeting with representatives from Pakistan and Iran as Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, Special Envoy for Peace Missions, listen, on Sunday, April 12, 2026, in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Syrian President al-Sharaa positions country for regional role in Gulf, EU meetings

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa visited the Gulf last week as part of his efforts to shore up support for Damascus across the Middle East and Europe amid rising regional tensions.

Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan meets with Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa on the sidelines of Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Antalya, Turkey, April 17, 2026.

Palestinian municipal elections signal shifting political dynamics - analysis

The elections will be closely watched to see the trends. If things go well, this could boost the plans for change in Gaza.

People walk past destroyed homes on April 20, 2026 in Gaza City, Gaza.