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.
Iraqi official denies mice and rats ate country’s cash reserves
Can Israel's aid strategy survive the minefield of Gaza's humanitarian crisis? - analysis
Gun control, border regulation: Lebanon's Aoun inches toward Hezbollah confrontation - analysis
Russia aims to keep hold of key influence over Syria as top diplomats meet - analysis
Ahmed al-Sharaa's government faces many hurdles and having Russia playing a stabilizing role in Syria is important for Damascus. It is not clear how Russia-Syrian relations will develop these days.
IRGC chief visits Baghdad over fears of Iraqi instability - analysis
Qaani met with top Shiite leaders in Baghdad to contain internal splits and preserve Iran's influence in Iraq ahead of parliamentary elections.
New drone strike near Erbil adds to growing attacks on Kurdistan region - analysis
A drone crashed near Makhmour in the latest attack on Iraq’s Kurdistan region, as officials blame Iran-aligned groups for a wave of 22 strikes.
How many men has Hamas continued to recruit in a year? - analysis
Even though Hamas was supposedly defeated and down to one brigade and a few battalions, it suddenly was able to re-appear in northern Gaza with thousands of fighters.
Houthis parade kidnapped crew of ETERNITY C, won’t back down from threats - analysis
The main message of the Houthi video is that they are not deterred. Israel has carried out several rounds of attacks on the Houthis, but this has apparently not stopped the attacks.
Renewed drone attacks on Kurdistan region of Iraq
The Kurdistan Regional Government has accused the Iranian-backed Popular Mobilization Forces of being behind the attacks.
Lebanon can’t get past talk of Hezbollah disarmament - analysis
"The government and Hezbollah need to fully commit and act now in order to not consign the Lebanese people to the stumbling status quo," Barrack wrote.
Syria seeks balance in Sweida amid Druze-Bedouin clashes, Israeli strikes - analysis
As tensions rise in southern Syria, the government seeks to balance humanitarian aid with regional stability amidst Israeli strikes.
Ceasefires and frustrations: Trump's foreign war doctrine reaches sternest test in Gaza - analysis
Trump's efforts for a Gaza ceasefire face resistance as the conflict endures, leaving his peace doctrine in question.
SDF leader meets French foreign minister as Paris prepares Syria negotiations - analysis
French foreign minister reaches out to Syrian Democratic Forces as Paris also juggles discussions with Turkey and Israel regarding key issues in Syria.