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.
US Syria Envoy Tom Barrack meets with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Syria steps into leadership role after Riyadh anti-ISIS meeting- analysis

The recent meeting was important because it was the coalition's first reunion since the January 30 deal between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces.

FEBRUARY 10, 2026
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani looks on during a meeting with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi in Amman, Jordan August 12, 2025.

Syrian officials attend anti-ISIS coalition talks in Saudi Arabia

Syrian officials attended meetings of the International Coalition to Defeat ISIS in Riyadh on February 8 to 9, marking Syria’s growing role in the US led alliance.

FEBRUARY 9, 2026
Activity of the 810th Brigade on Mount Dov.

Why Lebanon's Mount Dov is key to securing Israel’s northern border - analysis

The formerly Syrian-administered area, conquered by Israel in 1967, has been the site of many Hezbollah-related incidents, which have reinforced its importance for national defense.

FEBRUARY 9, 2026

Egypt’s Sisi visits UAE amid Gulf tensions and regional challenges - analysis

Sisi’s visit to the UAE underscores Egypt’s role in Gulf diplomacy, regional security, and Gaza, amid Saudi-UAE tensions and shifting Middle East alliances.

FEBRUARY 9, 2026
United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan meets Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in Cairo, Egypt on August 25, 2025.

Iraq faces renewed security concerns as ISIS detainees are transferred from Syria - analysis

Iraq is taking in thousands of ISIS prisoners from Syria, raising concerns over security in border provinces and testing the country’s ability to contain militant threats.

FEBRUARY 9, 2026
Syrian security forces take control of Al-Hol camp in the desert region of Hasakeh Province, Syria, on January 21, 2026

US-led Gaza peace efforts face hurdles with militias and border delays - analysis

The White House’s Board of Peace aims to advance Gaza ceasefire, but Hamas control, armed militias, and Rafah crossing delays pose major challenges.

FEBRUARY 8, 2026
Displaced Palestinians receive prefabricated tents, which are safer and more durable, with the support of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Al-Zaytun of Gaza City, Gaza on February 7, 2026.

Why Hezbollah’s internal changes may signal deeper trouble - analysis

A report over the weekend indicated that Hezbollah may have accepted the “resignation” of one of its officials named Wafiq Safa.

FEBRUARY 8, 2026
Hezbollah supporters attend a ceremony held by Hezbollah to commemorate the first anniversary of their late leader Hassan Nasrallah's killing by Israel, on the outskirts of Beirut, Lebanon, September 27, 2025

Syria continues to deploy forces, integrate SDF into defense establishment following agreement

After clashes in January, the SDF and Syrian government agreed to cooperate and find a way to enable Syrian forces to deploy to SDF-held areas in eastern Syria.

FEBRUARY 7, 2026
Members of the Kurdish Internal Security Forces wait for the arrival of the security forces of the Syrian government during the curfew, following an agreement between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Syrian government, in Qamishli, Syria, February 3, 2026.

Syria, Saudi Arabia ink mega investment deals in push for reconstruction after years of war

The deals follow Syria's hosting of the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Chevron and a Qatar-based company to pursue offshore oil and gas exploration.

FEBRUARY 7, 2026
Internal security forces vehicles affiliated with the Syrian government prepare to enter the city of Qamishli in northeastern Syria, following an agreement between Damascus and the Syrian Democratic Forces, in Tel Brak, near al-Hasakah, Syria, February 3, 2026.

Turkey, Saudi Arabia looking to cooperate on new '5th-generation' warplane - report

The Turkish "Kaan" 5th-generation fighter jet is currently under development, with President Erdogan seeking joint defense cooperation with Saudi Arabia.

FEBRUARY 5, 2026
Turkey's 'Kaan' fighter jet seen during runway tests at its facilities in Ankara, March 17, 2023

What Arab media is expecting from the US-Iran talks in Oman - analysis

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that for talks to actually lead to something meaningful, they will have to include the range of their ballistic missiles.

FEBRUARY 5, 2026
A woman walks past a deactivated Kheibar Shekan ballistic missile in front of a picture of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran's Bahrestan Square on September 27, 2025, as part of an exhibit to mark the "Sacred Defense Week" commemorating the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war.

In potential game-changer, Syria moves ahead on oil deal with Chevron, Qatar - analysis

This could be a major game-changer for Syria as it begins to regrow its economy after decades of sanctions and isolation.

FEBRUARY 5, 2026
YUSUF QABLAWI, CEO of the Syrian Petroleum Company, Frank Mount, head of Corporate Business Development at Chevron, and Erik Keskula, CEO of Power International Holding, sign a memorandum of understanding to develop an offshore oil and gas field for Syria.

US seeks to prevent further Iranian harrasment of ships in Gulf - analysis

Iranian harassment of US ships prompts military reaction, increasing already-strained tensions between the two countries.

FEBRUARY 4, 2026
An F/A-18F Super Hornet, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41, prepares to make an arrested landing on the flight deck of the US Navy Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the Pacific Ocean August 10, 2024.