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. 


Women and children stand at al-Hol refugee camp, as some families prepare to leave the camp to go back to their hometowns, in al-Hol, Syria, April 27, 2025.

Syria juggling continued challenges, from drug smuggling to ISIS detainees - analysis

US envoy Morgan Ortagus speaks in Beirut, August 26, 2025; illustrative.

Lebanon, US envoy clash over Israeli strikes and Hezbollah's role

A staff member is seen at Egyptian Red Crescent warehouses storing aid for Gaza, in the Egyptian border town of El-Arish, Egypt, April 8, 2025.

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.

Deputy United States Special Envoy to the Middle East Morgan Ortagus speaks to members of the U.N. Security Council before voting on a draft resolution demanding a ceasefire in Gaza, at UN headquarters in New York City, US, September 18, 2025.

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.

US President Donald Trump meets with Japan's Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan October 27, 2025

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.

A fighter with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) stands guard during a disarmament process marking a significant step toward ending the decades-long conflict between Turkey and the outlawed group, in the Qandil mountains, Iraq, October 26, 2025.

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.

EGYPT’S PRESIDENT Abdel Fattah al-Sisi attends an Arab League summit, in Baghdad, in May. President Sisi, if you seek peace, if you seek to alleviate the suffering, open the gate from Gaza, the writer urges.

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."

US President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media as he departs for Asia from the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, US, October 24, 2025.

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.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio listens to a question as he speaks to the media after visiting the Civil-Military Coordination Center in southern Israel on October 24, 2025.

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.”

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian shake hands during a meeting in Minsk, Belarus, August 20, 2025.

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.

A man walks near the tents where the displaced Palestinians take shelter, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, in Deir Al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, October 22, 2025.

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.

Remnants of a shell that targeted the refugee center, in El Fasher, Sudan, October 7, 2025.

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.

Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani attends the 34th Arab League summit, in Baghdad, Iraq, May 17, 2025.