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. 


 IDF soldiers stand guard over Israeli-Druze at the border fence, July 16, 2025.

New border clashes expose Israel’s confused Syria policy as region heats up - analysis

Hamas terrorists seen before a hostage release in Gaza City, February 1, 2025

Gaza ceasefire's Catch-22: Hamas delays disarmament as it calls for IDF withdrawal - analysis

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani (C) presents the Doha Forum Award to Alex Thier (L) and Saad Mohseni, honouring their contributions to supporting children's education in Palestine and Afghanistan, in partnership with the Education Above All Foundation, December 7, 2025

Doha Forum draws world leaders, but Gaza war puts negative spotlight on Qatar - analysis


Inside Bashar al-Assad's exile in Moscow, a year since ouster from Syria - analysis

Assad is said to be living a life of reclusion in Moscow, but rumors say he is also doing business, while his brother plots a return.

People hold a poster of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during a rally in support of Russia's military invasion of Ukraine, in front of the UN headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon March 20, 2022

One year after Assad's fall: New Syrian leadership celebrates, but deep internal rifts persist

Celebrations also appear muted in Suwayda, the Druze region that Israel has pledged to defend from the new government. The Druze historically had a complex relationship with the Assad regime.

A drone view shows people carrying a giant, long flag on the day of a military parade, as Syrians mark the first anniversary of Bashar al-Assad's fall, in Damascus, Syria December 8, 2025.

Sharaa begins pushing back on Israeli demands, decries Syria's 'dangerous position' - analysis

Ahmed al-Sharaa remained relatively quiet on Israel issues. However, at the annual Doha Forum, he spoke about the challenges from Damascus’ perspective.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa attends the 23rd edition of the annual Doha Forum, in Doha, Qatar, December 6, 2025.

Christmas returns to Bethlehem after two years of silent nights

As Christmas returns to the city where it began, Bethlehem moves to reconstruct its tourism industry.

A Christmas tree lighting ceremony in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, December 6, 2025.

Hezbollah will not disarm without Iranian consent, Lebanon's top diplomat warns

Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji added that Hezbollah's current concern is to "buy time and preserve itself internally in order to regain its power."

Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji attends a press conference during his Syrian couterpart Asaad Al-Shibani's first official visit since the fall of Bashar al-Assad, at the foreign ministry in Beirut, Lebanon, October 10, 2025.

Is a consensus on Gaza emerging among Arab states at Doha Forum? - analysis

Officials from various Arab states seem to agree that the Gaza deal must move to the next phase, but are unwilling to send their own personnel to contribute.

The first day of the 23rd edition of the annual Doha Forum, in Doha, Qatar, December 6, 2025

What does Trump’s National Security Strategy mean for Israel, Iran, and Gaza? - analysis

Clearly, the White House will not welcome more wars between Israel, Hamas, Hezbollah, or Iran.

US President Donald Trump attends a cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, US, December 2, 2025.

Yasser Abu Shabab's killing raises questions about Israel's militia strategy in Gaza - explainer

The Abu Shabab militia is a result of a short-sighted Israeli policy that doesn’t seem to want to see a legitimate and stable Gaza governance emerge.

 Gaza militia leader Yasser Abu Shabab with the backdrop of the Gaza Strip.

Drones hit Iraq's Khor Mor gas field, Baghdad deploys air defense in Kurdish region

This reflects a longstanding paradox in Iraq, a country with vast oil reserves that should be able to cover its electricity needs.

A fire blazes at Khor Mor Oil and Gas field following a drone strike, November 26, 2025.

Will Israel's new talks with Lebanon prevent another war with Hezbollah? - analysis

Lebanon will need to see if it can move forward with disarming Hezbollah. Israel may also need to explain what it means by “disarmament.”

Lebanese army members stand on a military vehicle during a Lebanese army media tour, near the border with Israel, southern Lebanon, November 28, 2025