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 woman holds the flag of Kurdistan during the celebration of Nowruz Day, a festival marking the first day of spring and Persian New Year, in Akra, Iraq March 20, 2025.

Who is behind the mysterious drone attack targets Kurdish region in Iraq? - analysis

 CHINESE PRESIDENT Xi Jinping meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin at a reception marking 80 years since the victory over Nazi Germany, at the Kremlin, last month. The war in Ukraine has shaken the global order, says the writer.

Russia and China's influence wanes in the Middle East after 12-Day War – analysis

 Footage released by Houthi Military Media says to show a launch of missile, which the Houthis say they fired at Israel, at an unknown location in this screen grab obtained from a handout video released on December 19, 2024.

Houthis vow to continue attacking Israel, boast 'hypersonic' missiles - analysis


Did Iran order rocket, drone strikes on an Iraqi airport in Kirkuk? - analysis

A rare rocket attack targeted Kirkuk in northern Iraq, injuring one. Officials suspect militias or ISIS amid growing regional tensions.

 Missiles are launched during a joint exercise called the 'Great Prophet 17', in the southwest of Iran, December 24, 2021. Picture taken December 24, 2021.

Trump administration lifts key sanctions on Syria, backs new government

US President Donald Trump moves forward with an executive order that provides sanctions relief for Syria by the US Department of State and Treasury.

 US President Donald Trump meets with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in this handout released on May 14, 2025.

Three cartoonists arrested in Turkey over alleged Prophet Muhammad drawing

LeMan, one of Turkey’s oldest satirical publications, has continued to operate despite a wave of shutdowns targeting media critical of Turkish President Erdogan.

 Placards are burned during a protest against the publications of a cartoon of Prophet Mohammad in France media and President Emmanuel Macron's comments, in Istanbul, Turkey October 30, 2020.

Is West Bank terror threat reduced or concealed? - analysis

The main challenge for the IDF in the West Bank is whether it's maintaining peace by preventing Israeli extremist attacks on Palestinians, or if the terror threat has just been hidden.

 Israeli security forces raid the Balata refugee camp east of Nablus in the West Bank, June 18, 2025.

The growing ties between Israel, Syria, its possible spread into the Middle East - analysis

Al-Ain speculates that Trump might encourage a meeting between Israel’s Prime Minister and the new Syrian president. It is clear that many voices on both sides of the ocean see Syria-Israel ties as

 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.

US, Iran have a long road to a nuclear deal - analysis

Trump appears to be asserting that the US strikes on Iran have destroyed the Iranian nuclear program, making it less urgent for the US to reach a deal.

 L to R: Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, US President Donald Trump against backdrop of respective flags and missile strikes.

Israel's offensive on Hamas is stalled in the sands of Gaza - what's next for the IDF? - analysis

Operation “Gideon’s Chariots” was meant to decisively conquer Gaza, but months into the campaign, challenges remain as Hamas still holds control over the territory.

Tanks positioned in Jabalya in northern Gaza, June 18, 2025.

Putting on a brave face: Hezbollah is at a crossroads, and a turning point may be coming - analysis

Hezbollah was always able to get around these calls over the years by claiming it was “resisting” Israel, but with Iran's "axis of resistance" broken, the Shia group is weakened.

 A woman walks near flags inside the Nabatieh market that reopened after it was destroyed during the last war between Israel and Hezbollah, in Nabatieh, southern Lebanon May 19, 2025.

The 12-day gamble: How the Israel-Iran war unfolded

Israel’s 12-day war was a gamble, and it was made possible by a unique set of circumstances. Much remains to be seen if it was the game changer that some people think it was.

 An illustrative image of the silhouettes of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu set to a backdrop of their respective countries' flags.

Key Druze leader Walid Jumblatt calls on Hezbollah to turn over weapons

“Weapons should only be in the hands of the Lebanese state,” Jumblatt said.

Walid Jumblatt