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.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during a join press conference with Ethiopia's Prime minister during his official visit at the National Palace in Addis Ababa on February 17, 2026.

Turkey’s intel chief lays out country’s vision for Middle East, world - analysis

An Iranian missile has fallen on a home on February 28, 2026 in Amman, Jordan.

Jordan seeks calm as Iran war rattles the region - analysis

Then-Iran’s ambassador-designate to Lebanon Mohammad Reza Sheibani Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

Lebanon’s internal strength tested as Iranian ambassador refuses to leave - analysis


Did a leak to media save thousands of Kurdish lives in Iran war? - analysis

In the first days of the war, a number of reports in US media portrayed the Kurds as being armed by the US and also claimed they had launched an offensive against Iran.

Members of Komala of the Toilers of Kurdistan, a Kurdish Iranian dissident group, are seen at their military bases hidden among the mountains on March 12, 2026 in Khalifa, Erbil Province, Iraq.

Condemnations grow after attack on Kurdistan Regional President

Meanwhile, Iraq’s Defense Ministry claimed it had unearthed rockets appearing to be Iranian-made 107 mm types that were ready to be fired at the Kurdistan Region.

Supporters of Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s Reconstruction and Development Coalition Party celebrate, after election results were announced in Baghdad in November 2025.

Iran defies expulsion, deepening grip on Lebanon

Hezbollah has denounced the decision, while Berri’s Amal party joined Hezbollah ministers in boycotting a cabinet session this week.

Then-Iran’s ambassador-designate to Lebanon Mohammad Reza Sheibani Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

Iran threatens US, Israel-linked universities across Middle East

According to Rudaw media, the IRGC threatened that all Israeli and US-tied universities in the region have been deemed "legitimate targets" in the ongoing war.

People stand at the main gate entrance of the American University of Beirut (AUB), in Beirut, Lebanon, January 21, 2021.

Iranian-backed militias escalate in Iraq, targeting Kurdistan Region president Nechirvan Barzani

The attack has been condemned by France and Iraq, but Iran has distanced itself from the incident.

Nechirvan Barzani, President of Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan Region, gives a joint press conference with France's Foreign Minister in Arbil, the regional capital, on February 5, 2026.

Pakistan steps up mediation efforts between Iran, US to end conflict - analysis

Pakistan said on March 28 that the recent discussion with Iran “marks a meaningful step toward peace and will strengthen our collective efforts in that direction."

Iran and Pakistan falgs. Illustration.

Zelensky’s Gulf tour highlights shared drone war threat from Iran-Russia axis - analysis

Zelensky held key meetings in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, showing that countries aligned with the US and the west can work together.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky delivers a speech during a joint press conference with France's President Emmanuel Macron, at the Elysee Palace in Paris, March 13, 2026.

Why the Houthis waited until now to strike - analysis

The Houthis successfully hid missiles in caves for years, and the US, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and others were not able to stop the missile and drone attacks or dislodge the group. 

Yemen's Houthi loyalists brandish weapons, flags of Yemen and Iran and a poster depicting the Houthi leader Abdul Malik Al-Houthi, and a picture of U.S. President Trump during a protest staged to show support to Iran against the U.S.-Israel war on March 27, 2026 in Sana'a, Yemen.

First Houthi launch toward Israel since war began triggers alerts across the Negev

Tehran could use the Houthis to take action in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean.

Houthi soldiers stand guard on a missile carrier during an official military parade marking the ninth anniversary of the Houthi takeover of the capital, Sanaa, on September 21, 2023.

Gulf countries seeking seat at negotiation table following Iranian attacks

“The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) stressed on Thursday the importance of Gulf states participating in any talks between Iran and the United States to end the war in the Middle East,” UAE news said.

 Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, US President Donald Trump, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa attend a group photo session with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) leaders in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 14, 2025.