
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.
Iran's Araghchi visits China in effort to win back Beijing's military support
UAE president visits Turkey to deepen strategic ties with Erdogan - analysis
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.