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 Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani looks on during a meeting with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi in Amman, Jordan August 12, 2025.

Syrian officials attend anti-ISIS coalition talks in Saudi Arabia

 Activity of the 810th Brigade on Mount Dov.

Why Lebanon's Mount Dov is key to securing Israel’s northern border - analysis

United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan meets Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in Cairo, Egypt on August 25, 2025.

Egypt’s Sisi visits UAE amid Gulf tensions and regional challenges - analysis


Iraq faces renewed security concerns as ISIS detainees are transferred from Syria - analysis

Iraq is taking in thousands of ISIS prisoners from Syria, raising concerns over security in border provinces and testing the country’s ability to contain militant threats.

 Syrian security forces take control of Al-Hol camp in the desert region of Hasakeh Province, Syria, on January 21, 2026

US-led Gaza peace efforts face hurdles with militias and border delays - analysis

The White House’s Board of Peace aims to advance Gaza ceasefire, but Hamas control, armed militias, and Rafah crossing delays pose major challenges.

Displaced Palestinians receive prefabricated tents, which are safer and more durable, with the support of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Al-Zaytun of Gaza City, Gaza on February 7, 2026.

Why Hezbollah’s internal changes may signal deeper trouble - analysis

A report over the weekend indicated that Hezbollah may have accepted the “resignation” of one of its officials named Wafiq Safa.

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

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.

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, 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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan