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. 


An Israeli military vehicle waits at a barrier, at the Allenby Bridge Crossing between the West Bank and Jordan, September 8, 2024.

Allenby Crossing attack highlights rising terror threat from Jordan - analysis

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi attends a military parade for the members of Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) marking its eighth anniversary, in Diyala province, Iraq July 23, 2022.

The US sanctioned Iraqi militias, but will the militias be affected? - analysis

 Ghazi Hamad, member of Hamas Political Office, delivers remarks on the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, during a press conference in Beirut, Lebanon, October 28, 2023.

Why did Hamas trot out Hamas leader Ghazi Hamad to show he’s alive? - analysis


Damascus seeks stronger US, Turkey ties as key Sweida deal takes shape - analysis

Syria deepens ties with the US and Turkey ahead of the UNGA, seeking sanctions relief and talks.

Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa waves as he attends the “Aleppo, Key to Victory” celebration marking Syria’s liberation, in Aleppo, Syria May 27, 2025.

Sparta and Athens: History's wartime lessons for a modern-day Israel - analysis

As Netanyahu evokes "super-Sparta," Israel may be repeating the mistakes that left both city-states devastated after decades of war.

Repulse of Pyrrhus from Sparta', 1890. Pyrrhus, in retreat at the Siege of Sparta, 272 BC from Spartans defending their city under command of Areus I. From "Cassell's Illustrated Universal History, Vol. I - Early and Greek History", by Edmund Ollier.

Syria, US, Jordan back pact to stabilize Sweida, launching transitional phase

Damascus said the agreement includes an understanding with Washington to seek security arrangements with Israel regarding southern Syria.

 Members of Syrian security forces ride on a back of a truck after Syrian troops entered the predominantly Druze city of Sweida on Tuesday following two days of clashes, in Sweida, Syria July 15, 2025.

US lawmakers from 50 states plant trees in city raided by Hamas on Oct. 7

‘Each tree becomes a symbol of love for the land and of the profound connection that unites us,’ KKL-JNF World Chairwoman Ifat Ovadia-Luski said.

Members of a delegation fo 250 state legislators from 50 US states plant saplings at Park Ofakim after a ceremony by KKL-JNF.

Iran exploits strike on Hamas in Qatar to slam Israel - analysis

Iranian officials are seizing the opportunity created by global condemnation of Israel's strike on Hamas leaders to bolster regional alliances.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi meets Qatar's Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, ahead of the Emergency Arab Muslim summit, in Doha, Qatar, September 14, 2025.

Sharaa's strategic move at Doha summit reshapes Syria’s regional alliances - analysis

“Whenever a nation unites and stands together, its strength grows, but when it becomes divided, its power fades," Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa says at the Arab-Islamic summit.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) meets Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (L) on the sidelines of an Arab-Islamic summit in Doha, September 15, 2025.

Gaza-bound Flotilla reaches Italian island, 2,000 km. from Gaza

The Gaza-bound flotilla regroups off Pantelleria, plotting its next move as it sails more than 1,000 miles toward its destination.

A screenshot from a drone video shows people gathering at the port of Ermoupolis during the departure of two sailing boats, Electra and Oxygen, part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, on Syros island, Greece, September 14, 2025.

Qatar faces its moment of truth after Israeli airstrike - analysis

Amid uncertainties regarding Qatar's standing on the global stage, Arab leaders send a message: "Qatar is not alone. The Arab and Islamic worlds stand beside it."

Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, meets with US special envoy for Syria Tom Barrack ahead of the emergency Arab-Islamic summit in Doha, Qatar, September 15, 2025.

Five years later, Abraham Accords may have become a cold peace, expert says

Ghanem Nuseibeh, a UK-based expert, says that the Accords have suffered due to the October 7 war and the continued war; however, things could change for the better in the future.

 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump, Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani, and UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed wave, after an Abraham Accords signing ceremony at the White House in 2020.

Cairo cements MENA relationships with Tunisia - analysis

Egypt further expanded its growing influence in North Africa by signing eight memoranda with Tunisia.

Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty laughs during his meeting with Tunisian Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Nafti at the Al Tahrir palace to discuss details of the Gaza reconstruction plan, ahead of the emergency Arab summit organised by Egypt this week, in Cairo, Egypt March 3, 2025