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. 


 Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa looks on as he attends the “Aleppo, Key to Victory” celebration marking Syria’s liberation, in Aleppo, Syria May 27, 2025.

Saudi Arabia delegation lands in Syria to advance $4 b. investment deal

 Hezbollah flags flutter as protesters, mainly Houthi supporters, rally to show support to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon's Hezbollah, in Sanaa, Yemen September 27, 2024.

Hezbollah rejects any long term ceasefire option where they give up their arms

 A missile is launched during an annual drill in the coastal area of the Gulf of Oman and near the Strait of Hormuz, Iran

Iranian gov't continues to push for uranium enrichment as nuclear talks stall


Syria seeks Turkey's help to train armed forces amid rising tensions - analysis

Syrian defense ministry personnel and other officials frequently visit Turkey. Some of the members of Syria’s new security forces were previously commanders in Turkish-backed Syrian proxy groups.

Syria's newly appointed president for a transitional phase Ahmed al-Shaara meets with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Turkey, February 4, 2025.

US tries to claw back influence in Middle East after crisis in Syria - analysis

US Special Envoy to Syria Ambassador Thomas J. Barrack has been under a spotlight in the last two weeks as US policy continues to face challenges.

 US special envoy for Syria, the ambassador to Turkey Thomas Barrack attends a flag-raising ceremony at the US ambassador's residence in Damascus on May 29, 2025 for the first time since 2011.

As drone attacks target northern Iraq's Kurds, West urges Baghdad to act - analysis

The Kurdistan autonomous region is growing increasingly frustrated with Baghdad’s response. The leaders have likely communicated this to their Western allies.

A member of the Kurdish security forces stands guard with smoke billowing in the background on July 17, 2025

Lebanon drops charges against Hezbollah Ashura festival gunmen

US Envoy Tom Barrack in Beirut speaks about the US using influence to achieve its goals in the region.

A Hezbollah member carries a weapon which sources familiar with its arsenal said is used to counter drones, during a religious procession to mark Ashura in Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon July 17, 2024.

Hamas's last stronghold: Why the IDF steered clear of Deir al-Balah - until now - analysis

Deir al-Balah is an important area of Gaza because it has been left relatively untouched throughout the war. This is the last real remaining area of Hamas' power. 

 Displaced Palestinians, who fled their houses due to Israeli strikes, shelter at a tent camp, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Deir Al-Balah in central Gaza Strip May 11, 2024.

Russia sends message to Iran as joint naval drill launched in Caspian Sea

Russia sought to do this naval drill primarily to show it is still interested in joint cooperation with Iran.

Members of the Russian Navy attend the joint Navy exercise of Iran, China and Russia in the Gulf of Oman, Iran, in this handout image obtained on March 12, 2025; illustrative.

Drones increasingly being used to smuggle items from Sinai to Gaza - report

The context surrounding the smuggling into Gaza, however, may not be a surprise.

 Sunrise is seen from the summit of Mount Sinai in Egypt.

What can Israel expect in its next war with Iran? - analysis

Israel learned from the 2024 attacks. During the 12-day war in June, Israel focused on taking out Iranian missile launchers, and it appears many of them were destroyed in the war.

(Illustrative) AN IRANIAN FLAG is pictured near in a missile during a military drill, with the participation of Iran’s air defense units in October.

What is Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s real strategy? - analysis

It seems that there is now concern in Washington that Damascus is not able to hold things together. Israel has played a complex role in this.

 Ahmed Al-Sharaa standing atop Mount Qasioun, overlooking the fall of Damascus, December 9, 2024.

A month after the Iran war, what are the technological lessons learned?

What should Israel expect in a future war with Iran?

 Iranian flags fly as fire and smoke from an Israeli attack on Sharan Oil depot rise, following Israeli strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, June 15, 2025.