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. 


U.S. Vice President JD Vance speaks during a press conference following a military briefing at the Civilian Military Coordination Center in southern Israel October 21, 2025.

US Vice President JD Vance comes to Israel to ramp up Gaza's stabilization efforts - analysis

General view of the Iranian Consulate where Iran holds nuclear talks with so-called E3 group of France, Britain and Germany, in Istanbul, Turkey, July 25, 2025.

Iran deal is over, says Tehran

 Hamas official Khalil Al-Hayya. (Illustrative)

Hamas's two faces: Pledging peace to mediators publicly as it cements its power in Gaza - analysis


Hezbollah's resistance has recovered, can face Israel at any time, senior official declares

A Lebanese politician said that "the resistance in Lebanon has regained its strength, remains present and active, and can confront the enemy at any moment if it launches a ground attack."

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

Iraq launches probe after diplomat accused of taking towels from Jordan hotel

Iraqi diplomat accused of taking towels from Jordanian hotel, now she demands investigation and is receiving tribal support.

A beach Towel is seen draped over a boat with the flag of Jordan (illustrative)

Syria, Lebanon key to next phase of Middle East peace, says US Ambassador Tom Barrack - analysis

US Ambassador Tom Barrack recently argue that the Gaza peace deal will be remembered as "a defining moment in modern Middle Eastern diplomacy." How can that affect Lebanon's stability?

 An illustrative image of a Hezbollah flag in the backdrop of an individual holding a weapon.

What the Hamas-US backchannel tells us about Gaza’s transition - analysis

Palestinian-American mediator Bishara Bahbah detailed new messages from Hamas to the White House and outlined challenges in implementing the Trump-backed Gaza ceasefire plan.

Palestinian-American businessman Bishara Bahbah, who helped secure the release of former hostage Edan Alexander.

Palestinian Fatah movement elects new leaders in Lebanon

Fatah held elections in Lebanon as Mahmoud Abbas seeks closer ties with Beirut. The vote highlights Fatah’s influence among Palestinians and hints at post-Abbas dynamics.

 Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas holds a leadership meeting in Ramallah, in the West Bank, April 23, 2025

Iran stresses ties to Russia, China as it moves on from 2015 Iran deal

Iran is working with China and Russia as it seeks to move on from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or “Iran Deal.”

General view of the Iranian Consulate where Iran holds nuclear talks with so-called E3 group of France, Britain and Germany, in Istanbul, Turkey, July 25, 2025.

Syria sends mixed signals on integration of US-backed SDF into security forces - analysis

Damascus and the SDF both have some mixed messages on the path forward with the SDF, although everyone wants to see progress.

A member of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) stands guard as Syrian Kurds attend a protest in solidarity with people in Sweida, on July 17, 2025.

Despite US warning, Hamas asserts its power with brutality in Gaza - analysis

As Hamas tightens control over Gaza through executions and torture, the US has warned the group against violating the ceasefire deal and targeting civilians.

 Hamas terrorists carry grenade launchers at the funeral of Marwan Issa, a senior Hamas deputy military commander who was killed in an Israeli airstrike during the conflict between Israel and Hamas, February 7, 2025.

Gaza's ticking clock: Hamas illustrating it can reorganize itself despite war setbacks - analysis

Each day that goes by is a day that Hamas has to reconstitute itself and assert control.

Palestinian terrorists stand guard on the day that hostages held in Gaza, in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza Strip, October 13, 2025.

A new Middle East: How to make Trump's vision for the region into reality - analysis

The region that we see today in the Gulf and in terms of more potential ties with Israel is a very different region.

GRAFITTI SHOWS a Hamas and ISIS member kissing, in south Tel Aviv: ISIS is now mostly defeated.