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.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa signs a ceasefire agreement with the Syrian Democratic Forces, Damascus, January 18, 2026.

Syrian government focuses on attracting new economy investments, ties with Central Asia states

Syria has been receiving a number of investments in recent months, from oil and energy deals to talk of investment in train lines and airports.

FEBRUARY 18, 2026
The world's largest aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford seen in the North Sea during NATO Neptune Strike 2025 exercise on September 24, 2025 in the North Sea.

Middle East nations cautious as US military presence grows near Iran - analysis

US moves Air Force and naval assets to the Middle East amid rising tensions with Iran, while regional allies remain largely silent and take a cautious, wait-and-see approach.

FEBRUARY 18, 2026
Members of the Syrian government internal security forces gather in the northern Syrian town of Sirrin as they wait to enter the city of Kobane on February 2, 2026.

Besieged Kobane faces humanitarian disaster amid Syrian government, SDF deadlock

Reports say Kobane's ‘roads remain closed, while food and medical supplies are barred from entry’ to an area of 600,000 people.

FEBRUARY 18, 2026

A two-pronged approach: After US visit, Lebanon’s army eyes Hezbollah ‘disarmament’ - analysis

The high level of activity of the IDF in Lebanon shows that Hezbollah continues to pose a threat.

FEBRUARY 17, 2026
A member of the Lebanese military stands guard during a visit by Lebanon's prime minister to the heavily-damaged southern village of Kfar Kila, destroyed by the Israeli military, near the border with Israel on February 8, 2026.

US faces narrow path between diplomacy, force amid dual Geneva talks on Ukraine, Iran - analysis

“In this round of negotiations, we will attend with a full team; a political, legal, economic, and technical team,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei noted.

FEBRUARY 17, 2026
Jared Kushner looks on as US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff shakes hands with Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi in Muscat, Oman, February 6, 2026.

Australia’s ISIS camp dilemma exposes Syria’s growing post SDF chaos - analysis

The ISIS detainees were mostly captured in 2019 when ISIS was defeated in its last enclave near the Euphrates River by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces.

FEBRUARY 17, 2026
People walk at the Kurdish-run al-Hol camp, which holds relatives of suspected Islamic State (IS) group fighters in the northeastern Hasakeh governorate, on April 18, 2025.

Why Syria's FM is changing his messaging to Israel - and why it matters - analysis

Syria’s foreign minister is hinting that Damascus and Jerusalem may be able to come to more arrangements in the future, in the wake of talks held in Paris in January.

FEBRUARY 16, 2026
Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani speaks during a press conference in Damascus, May 20, 2025; illustrative.

Lebanese Sunni leader Saad Hariri signals political comeback ahead of Lebanon elections - analysis

Hariri is angling to return to politics as he marks the 21st anniversary of the assassination of his father, former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

FEBRUARY 16, 2026
Saad Hariri speaks during an event to mark the 21st anniversary of the assassination of his father and former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri, in Beirut, Lebanon, February 14, 2026.

Rubio’s Munich speech offers glimpse into Trump-era rethink of global order - analysis

The speech was widely expected to hammer home themes the Trump administration was known for, such as its skepticism about the current world order.

FEBRUARY 16, 2026
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during a joint press conference with Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico (not pictured), in Bratislava, Slovakia, Sunday, February 15, 2026.

Turkey opens three mosques in Gaza as Ankara expands religious influence

Turkey’s Diyanet Foundation opened three mosques in Gaza ahead of Ramadan, part of Ankara’s broader effort to expand religious and political influence in the enclave.

FEBRUARY 15, 2026
Turkish charities operating in the southern Gaza Strip, October 23, 2025

Iraq's Kurds emerge as Middle East's key diplomatic players at Munich Security Council - analysis

The KRG has helped smooth the transition in eastern Syria by working with Damascus and the Syrian Democratic Forces, also hosting US forces and other anti-ISIS coalition forces.

FEBRUARY 15, 2026
Nechirvan Barzani, President of Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan Region, gives a joint press conference with France's Foreign Minister in Arbil, the regional capital, on February 5, 2026.

Syria projects unity at Munich Security Conference, but the real test awaits back home - analysis

The question is whether the Syria on display in Munich is the future or whether hurdles back home could derail its situation.

FEBRUARY 15, 2026
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio shakes hands with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani in Munich, Germany, February 13, 2026, on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.

Gaza's new power struggle: Militias, contractors, and peacekeepers under US-backed plan - analysis

As Gaza's power dynamics shift, US-backed peace plans face challenges with private contractors, militias, and potential peacekeepers. Indonesia may lead the peacekeeping mission

FEBRUARY 12, 2026
A patch with Indonesia and an Indonesian flag on the arm of an Indonesian soldier during the preparation of the annual Bastille Day military parade on the Champs Elysees avenue in Paris France on July 14, 2025.