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.
Israel’s recognition highlights Somaliland’s entrapment in the world’s colonial past - analysis
The Red Sea strategy: What does Israel stand to gain from recognizing Somaliland? - analysis
Yemen's Saudi-led coalition says it will deal with military moves in Hadramout
Sectarian attack: Eight dead, 21 injured in Homs mosque incident targeting Alawite minority
Local official Issam Naameh told Reuters the blast took place during Friday noon prayers, typically the busiest time for mosques.
Iran seizes foreign oil tanker near Gulf, saying it was carrying millions of smuggled fuel liters
Iran said last week it had seized another foreign tanker carrying 6 million litres of what it described as smuggled diesel in the Gulf of Oman.
UAE backs Saudi efforts to restore stability in Yemen amid STC tension
"The UAE reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to supporting all endeavors aimed at strengthening stability and development in Yemen," the foreign ministry said in a statement.
Christmas passes peacefully in the Middle East
Christmas was celebrated by Christian communities across the region, including in Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq.
Israel’s mixed messaging on Christmas draws controversy - analysis
The messaging shows the challenges Israel faces and also raises the question of whether it is better to use the holiday to draw contrasts with the region or to celebrate unity.
Searching for Christmas in Jerusalem’s Old City - Reporter's Notebook
I went to the Old City of Jerusalem on December 25, 2025, to find holiday cheer and Christmas events.
Syria to start currency swap on January 1, central bank governor says
Syria will begin swapping Assad-era notes for new currency on January 1, Central Bank Governor Husrieh on Thursday.
US continues to support Syria dialogue with Kurdish-led SDF following Aleppo clashes - analysis
An unnamed official at the US State Department said the US was continuing to support dialogue between the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces and the Syrian transitional government.
Who was General Mohammed Al-Haddad, killed in Libya plane crash? - explainer
Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Haddad, Libya’s Army Chief, was killed in a plane crash in Turkey on December 23. His death marks a significant loss for the Libyan military and its efforts toward unity.
Syria, Russia discuss military cooperation and reconstruction after Assad
Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Syrian foreign and defense ministers, Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani and Maj.-Gen. Murhaf Abu Qasra.