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. 


A drone view of the mass grave site in the desert near the eastern Syrian town of Dhumair, February 27, 2025. A Reuters investigation found that the Assad government secretly trucked thousands of bodies there from an exposed mass grave in the Damascus suburb of Qutayfah from 2019-2021.

Syria opens criminal investigation into Assad-era mass grave revealed by Reuters

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

Saudi Arabia increasingly concerned about political instability in Yemen - analysis

HUSSEIN MOUNIS, Member of the Iraqi Parliament votes at a polling station inside Al-Rasheed Hotel during the parliamentary election in Baghdad, Iraq, November 11, 2025.

Iraqi Sunnis divided over upcoming vote for parliament speaker


All eyes on Florida as Trump, Netanyahu face Gaza ceasefire test - analysis

Trump and Netanyahu are expected to focus on Gaza’s ceasefire, hostages and regional tensions as questions grow over whether the deal can move to its next phase.

US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hold a joint press conference in the State Dining Room at the White House, in Washington, DC, US, September 29, 2025

Jordan carries out airstrikes in Syria, signaling frustration over border security - analysis

Two rounds of Jordanian airstrikes hit smuggling targets in southern Syria, underscoring Amman’s demand for stronger action against drug gangs operating near its border.

A Jordanian flag flies over the capital city, Amman, Jordan August 17, 2025.

US airstrikes against ISIS in Nigeria raise questions over strategy - analysis

US airstrikes hit ISIS camps in Nigeria on Christmas Day in what officials said was a joint operation, raising questions over whether further action will follow.

Residents inspect the damage after US forces had launched a strike against Islamic State terrorists in Nigeria at the request of Nigeria's government, as US President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social on December 25, in Offa, Kwara State, Nigeria, December 26, 2025.

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

The lack of willingness of countries to recognize Somaliland is solely due to the legacy of colonialism and how colonial decisions transformed into international law.

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

Some may see it as creating a new era of international competition in the Horn of Africa - but the real issue is it may appear more of a strategic chessboard than it is.

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

Yemen's Saudi-led coalition says it will deal with military moves in Hadramout

Yemen's Saudi-led coalition said any military moves by the main southern separatist group, STC, in the eastern province of Hadramout, contrary to de-escalation efforts, will be dealt with.

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

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.