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. 


Residents wave Somaliland flags as they gather to celebrate Israel's announcement recognising Somaliland's statehood in downtown Hargeisa, on December 26, 2025.

Israel’s recognition highlights Somaliland’s entrapment in the world’s colonial past - analysis

Somalis react after Israel became the first country to formally recognise the self-declared Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state, in Mogadishu, Somalia, December 27, 2025

The Red Sea strategy: What does Israel stand to gain from recognizing Somaliland? - analysis

Yemenis members of the Sabahiha tribes of Lahj, who live along the strip between the south and north of the country and who support the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC), hold an image of the STC leader Aidaros Alzubidi as they wave the old South Yemen flag

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.

Members of Syria's security forces stand guard by the New Clock Tower in central Homs, ahead of Eid al-Adha, the Muslim feast of sacrifice, late on June 4, 2025.

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.

Etswani flagged vessel.

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.

PEOPLE HOLD a banner with images of the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia during a rally organised by Yemen's main separatist group, the Southern Transitional Council (STC), in Aden, Yeme

Christmas passes peacefully in the Middle East

Christmas was celebrated by Christian communities across the region, including in Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq.

Iraqis visit a Christmas market set-up at the foot of the city's ancient Citadel in Arbil, the capital of Iraqi's northern autonomous Kurdish region, on Christman eve, December 24, 2025.

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.

Christmas in the Old City on December 25, 2025

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.

Christmas in the Old City on December 25, 2025

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.

Bundles of Syrian currency notes are stacked up as an employee counts money at Syrian central bank, after the ousting of Syria's Bashar al-Assad in Damascus,Syria, January 12, 2025.

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.

Soldiers from the Syrian Democratic Forces stand in front of the detainees before the first exchange operation between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Syrian government in Aleppo, Syria, April 3, 2025.

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.

Libya's army chief of staff Mohammed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad attends a ceremony at a medical training camp on a military base in Al-Khums, Libya, December 21, 2025

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.

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with Syrian interim president at the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow on October 15, 2025.