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 juggling continued challenges, from drug smuggling to ISIS detainees - analysis
Lebanon, US envoy clash over Israeli strikes and Hezbollah's role
Egypt takes lead in Gaza crisis, steering regional stabilization efforts - analysis
Morgan Ortagus heads to Lebanon with a message to Hezbollah as Israel intensifies strikes
Morgan Ortagus is interested in conveying a message that goes beyond the desire to see Beirut have a monopoly on weapons - this is about disarming Hezbollah.
As Gaza ceasefire holds, Trump shifts focus from Middle East to Asia, South America - analysis
As tensions ease in Gaza, Trump’s diplomatic push toward Asia and South America marks a strategic pivot, with trade deals and peace efforts on the horizon.
Will PKK withdrawing from Turkey after 40 years of conflict affect Iraq? - analysis
The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) announces its pullback from Turkey, marking the end of a 40-year insurgency and shifting regional dynamics.
Egypt urges full Gaza deal implementation, eyes EU role in reconstruction - analysis
Egypt calls for the full implementation of the 20-point Gaza agreement as the US pushes for the next phase of the agreement, focusing on reconstruction and security.
Trump taps businessman as new Iraq envoy as US pushes disarmament of Iran-backed militias
Ano Abdoka, a Christian Iraqi politician who has played a key role in Kurdistan Region politics, said he hoped Savaya would work toward “protecting the rights of Iraq’s diverse communities."
Rubio visit signals US all-hands-on-deck approach to post-war Gaza stability - analysis
The goal is to ensure that the approach remains peaceful and supports Gaza’s long road to recovery, while addressing Israel’s concerns and those of other countries in the region.
Iran reaches out to key Russia ally Belarus amid rising global sanctions - analysis
Iran’s state media said on Thursday that Iran and Belatus “expressed readiness to formulate a roadmap for future cooperation and to accelerate the implementation of joint projects.”
Gulf nations hopeful as US backs international force to oversee Gaza - analysis
As US diplomatic efforts intensify, details emerge on an international force to oversee Gaza's ceasefire, with countries like Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar showing interest in contributing troops.
Drone attacks escalate in Sudan as Khartoum airport reopening is postponed - analysis
Drone attacks continue to target Khartoum, delaying the airport's reopening as Sudan's civil war intensifies. The growing threat of drone warfare highlights rising regional instability.
US calls on Iraq to disarm militias, what’s at stake? - analysis
With heavy pressure from two opposing forces, it remains to be seen what Iraq’s response to Rubio’s call for disarmament will be.