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. 


 An illustrative photo of the Iranian and Chinese flags.

Iran's Araghchi visits China in effort to win back Beijing's military support

 Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates meets Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of Turkey, during the 2024 World Government Summit, in Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, February 13, 2024.

UAE president visits Turkey to deepen strategic ties with Erdogan - analysis

 Members of Syrian security forces ride on a back of a truck after Syrian troops entered the predominantly Druze city of Sweida on Tuesday following two days of clashes, in Sweida, Syria July 15, 2025.

Syria conflict grows as Egypt and Jordan warn of regional instability


Druze clashes in Syria escalate as Israel faces tough border choices - analysis

Israel has vowed to support the Druze; however, this is easier said than done.

Syrian security forces walk together along a street, after clashes between Syrian government troops and local Druze fighters resumed in the southern Druze city of Sweida early on Wednesday, in Sweida, Syria July 16, 2025.

US Embassy condemns drone attacks on Iraq's oil fields

The drone attacks have been a continued source of concern for Erbil and the Kurdistan regional authorities, who govern the Kurdish autonomous region in northern Iraq.

A view of a damaged building following missile attacks, in Erbil, Iraq, January 16, 2024

ISIS likely culprit behind attack on US-backed SDF in east Syria - analysis

This matters because if ISIS is on the rise in parts of Syria, then it will require coordination between Damascus and the SDF. The SDF controls a third of Syria.

 SDF commander Mazloum Abdi, attends an interview with Reuters in Shaddadi, Syria, June 13, 2025.

Jordan wants stability in southern Syria but unclear if it's willing to help - analysis

The Jordanian spokesperson “reiterated Jordan’s support for the Syrian government’s efforts to rebuild the country on foundations that guarantee its security, stability, unity, and sovereignty."

 Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa meets with Jordan's King Abdullah during his visit to Amman, Jordan, February 26, 2025.

Will Israel’s airstrikes help the Druze in Syria? - analysis

Israel’s intervention escalated with more airstrikes and officials' comments, raising questions about what might come next and if the limited intervention will help the Druze.

 Syrian security forces stand together, following deadly clashes between Sunni fighters against armed Druze residents, at the entrance of Jaramana, Syria May 5, 2025.

Hamas uses Gaza's rubble as a tactical advantage against the IDF - analysis

Hamas apparently believes that the IDF views ruined areas as secure. As such, it thinks that it can move more freely in these areas.

 Palestinians at the rubble of a destroyed building after an Israeli airstrike in the central Gaza Strip, on November 5, 2023

What role is Israel playing in the clashes between Druze and Bedouins in Syria? - analysis

Israel has demanded southern Syria be demilitarized. This has had the result of creating a vacuum in southern Syria. The government claims that it wants to protect civilians and restore order.

 Druze women walk on a street, in Jaramana, Syria May 5, 2025.

Houthis now becoming more emboldened after sinking two ships in Red Sea - analysis

The fact that so many countries in the region did not assist the ships quickly in order to deter the Houthis shows that it is not a priority.

 A VESSEL said to be the Greek-operated, Liberia-flagged ‘Eternity C’ sinks in the Red Sea last week. The Houthis have been transformed into Iran’s most potent and aggressive non-state actor in the Arab world, says the writer.

For Iraq's Kurdistan area, Kurdish-Turkey deal provides hope for new era in region - analysis

The decision by the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) to lay down its arms and apparently disband has reverberated across the Kurdistan region of northern Iraq.

 Pro-Kurd protesters hold flags with portraits of jailed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan. February 16, 2019.

Syrian president visits Azerbaijan to strengthen energy, diplomatic ties - analysis

In a sign of warming ties, Syria’s new leadership is turning to Azerbaijan for support on energy, education, and post-conflict reconstruction.

 Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa meets with President of Azerbaijan’s Republic Ilham Aliyev, July 12, 2025.