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.
Members of the Kurdish Internal Security Forces wait for the arrival of the security forces of the Syrian government during the curfew, following an agreement between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Syrian government, in Qamishli, Syria, February 3, 2026.

Syria continues to deploy forces, integrate SDF into defense establishment following agreement

After clashes in January, the SDF and Syrian government agreed to cooperate and find a way to enable Syrian forces to deploy to SDF-held areas in eastern Syria.

FEBRUARY 7, 2026
Internal security forces vehicles affiliated with the Syrian government prepare to enter the city of Qamishli in northeastern Syria, following an agreement between Damascus and the Syrian Democratic Forces, in Tel Brak, near al-Hasakah, Syria, February 3, 2026.

Syria, Saudi Arabia ink mega investment deals in push for reconstruction after years of war

The deals follow Syria's hosting of the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Chevron and a Qatar-based company to pursue offshore oil and gas exploration.

FEBRUARY 7, 2026
Turkey's 'Kaan' fighter jet seen during runway tests at its facilities in Ankara, March 17, 2023

Turkey, Saudi Arabia looking to cooperate on new '5th-generation' warplane - report

The Turkish "Kaan" 5th-generation fighter jet is currently under development, with President Erdogan seeking joint defense cooperation with Saudi Arabia.

FEBRUARY 5, 2026

What Arab media is expecting from the US-Iran talks in Oman - analysis

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that for talks to actually lead to something meaningful, they will have to include the range of their ballistic missiles.

FEBRUARY 5, 2026
A woman walks past a deactivated Kheibar Shekan ballistic missile in front of a picture of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran's Bahrestan Square on September 27, 2025, as part of an exhibit to mark the "Sacred Defense Week" commemorating the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war.

In potential game-changer, Syria moves ahead on oil deal with Chevron, Qatar - analysis

This could be a major game-changer for Syria as it begins to regrow its economy after decades of sanctions and isolation.

FEBRUARY 5, 2026
YUSUF QABLAWI, CEO of the Syrian Petroleum Company, Frank Mount, head of Corporate Business Development at Chevron, and Erik Keskula, CEO of Power International Holding, sign a memorandum of understanding to develop an offshore oil and gas field for Syria.

US seeks to prevent further Iranian harrasment of ships in Gulf - analysis

Iranian harassment of US ships prompts military reaction, increasing already-strained tensions between the two countries.

FEBRUARY 4, 2026
An F/A-18F Super Hornet, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41, prepares to make an arrested landing on the flight deck of the US Navy Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the Pacific Ocean August 10, 2024.

Erdogan arrives in Cairo after Riyadh talks, raising concerns in Israel - analysis

Turkish President expected to discuss regional developments, including Gaza and Libya.

FEBRUARY 4, 2026
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

Damascus reaches out to rival Kurdish factions amid eastern Syria transition - analysis

The changes on the ground are part of a January 30 deal between the Syrian Transitional Government and the Syrian Democratic Forces.

FEBRUARY 4, 2026
Syrian Public Security Forces drive through a crowd as they enter the Kurdish-majority city of Qamishli in northeastern Syria on February 3, 2026, under an integration deal with Kurdish authorities.

From rivals to partners: What does Erdogan’s Saudi visit mean for the Middle East? - analysis

Saudi Arabia welcomed Erdogan for talks highlighting closer Ankara-Riyadh ties as the kingdom reconsiders its regional priorities.

FEBRUARY 3, 2026
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks to MPs at his party's group meeting in the Turkish parliament on January 21, 2026 in Ankara, Turkey.

Lebanese army chief meets US counterparts to boost military support

Lebanon’s army chief, Gen. Rodolphe Haykal, met US officials this week to strengthen military support and discuss efforts to disarm Hezbollah amid ongoing regional tensions.

FEBRUARY 3, 2026
This photograph taken during a press tour organised by the Lebanese army shows Lebanese soldiers standing atop a military vehicle in Alma Al-Shaab, near the border with Israel in southern Lebanon, on November 28, 2025.

Syrian government forces enter SDF held Hasakah after ceasefire deal

Syrian Interior Ministry forces entered Hasakah on Monday under a deal with the US-backed SDF, marking a key test of coordination after weeks of clashes.

FEBRUARY 2, 2026
Syrian Interior Ministry security forces vehicles prepare to enter the city of Hasakah in northeastern Syria, following an agreement between Damascus and the Syrian Democratic Forces reached on January 30, in Al-hasakah, Syria, February 2, 2026.

Kurds in Iraq are powerbrokers in Iraq’s politics, but do they benefit? - analysis

Iraqi Shi’ite leaders arrived in Erbil for talks with Kurdish officials as political deadlock deepens over appointing a new president and prime minister.

FEBRUARY 2, 2026
Supporters of former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki gather to protest what they say is U.S. interference in Iraq’s sovereignty near the entrance to the Green Zone, which houses the U.S. embassy and other missions, in Baghdad, Iraq, January 29, 2026.

With Rafah open, could Hamas-run ‘Health Ministry’ be replaced now? - analysis

Israel has appeared to be nonplussed by the committee and has not yet empowered it to work in the half of Gaza that Israel controls.

FEBRUARY 2, 2026
The Rafah border crossing on the Egyptian side, in Rafah, Egypt, January 29, 2026.