Seth J. Frantzman

US tariffs to Iraq aim to free American hostage | The Jerusalem Post Elizabeth Tsurkov has been held in Iraq for over 860 days after being kidnapped by Kataib Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militia. US tariffs aim to secure her freedom.

I spoke to Emma Tsurkov about the need for Iraq to release Elizabeth Tsurkov, who has been held for more than 860 days by Iranian-backed Kataib Hezbollah in Iraq.

Trump's tariffs might up pressure on Iraq to release Elizabeth Tsurkov

www.jpost.com/middle-east/...

Iraq official denies country’s cash reserves eaten by mice | The Jerusalem Post 62 trillion dinars had reportedly been eaten, which is the equivalent of $47 billion, with the dinar trading at around 1,300 to one US dollar.

Iraqi official denies mice and rats ate country’s cash reserves
www.jpost.com/middle-east/...

A government financial advisor to Iraq’s prime minister has denied rumors that mice and rats had eaten up to 62 trillion Iraqi dinars in cash reserves.-Rudaw

Sirens sounded in Jerusalem and other areas due to Houthi missile launch. The Israeli IDF said they intercepted it. It happened just before Shabbat begins

Will Israeli Gaza aid strategy survive humanitarian crisis? | The Jerusalem Post Gaza is unique in having almost all civilians trapped under Hamas for 21 months, leading to the endless crisis of aid provision.

I took a look at the roller coaster of aid delivery to Gaza over the last 21 months; the changes in policy and what happened and the issues involved

www.jpost.com/israel-news/...

In Beit Hanoun for 5th time, officers say Hamas battalion to be destroyed ‘within a week’ ToI joins Givati Brigade in northeast Gazan town, where terror operatives have remained holed up for nearly 2 years; inside tunnel, troops kill Hamas company commander

“I believe that within a week we can finish, and what I mean by finish is that there are no more tunnels,” said Col. Netanel Shamaka, the commander of the Givati Infantry Brigade, to reporters during an escorted visit to Beit Hanoun on Wednesday.

www.timesofisrael.com/in-beit-hano...

IDF: the 98th Division has completed its mission in the northern Gaza Strip after intense combat and is now preparing for additional missions.

President Isaac Herzog will depart on Sunday evening, for a series of offical visits to Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, at the invitation of the presidents of the three countries.

Iran’s Qaani visits Iraq to unite Shiite factions | The Jerusalem Post Qaani met with top Shiite leaders in Baghdad to contain internal splits and preserve Iran's influence in Iraq ahead of parliamentary elections.

IRGC chief visits Baghdad over fears of Iraqi instability - analysis

www.jpost.com/middle-east/...

Israel enables increased humanitarian aid for Gaza On July 26, the Israeli military announced that it would begin “a series of actions aimed at improving the humanitarian response in the Gaza Strip.”

Foundation for Defense of Democracies - Israel enables increased humanitarian aid for Gaza @ www.fdd.org/analysis/202...

After curing salmon. Ready for smoking or prep for gravlox #chezfrantzman

Israel's MFA: "Tomorrow morning Israel will apply a "humanitarian pause" in civilian centers and in humanitarian corridors to enable the distribution of aid supply. Israel has continued to facilitate the entry of aid trucks into the Gaza strip."

Israel's IDF: IDF: "In accordance with directives from the political echelon and following a situational assessment held this evening, the IDF has begun a series of actions aimed at improving the humanitarian response in the Gaza Strip..."

New head of anti-Islamic State mission in Iraq and Syria takes command The anti-Islamic State coalition of Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve received its new commander at a ceremony in Iraq on July 21, 2025. Brigadier General Kevin Lambert took over fo...

New head of anti-Islamic State mission in Iraq and Syria takes command

www.longwarjournal.org/archives/202...

As electronic warfare pervades battlefields, Israeli firm is thinking smaller with anti-jam tech - Breaking Defense An electronic warfare-saturated battlefield is upon us, Omer Sharar, co-founder and CEO of infiniDome, told Breaking Defense, and small drones and munitions are going to need protection.

As electronic warfare pervades battlefields, Israeli firm is thinking smaller with anti-jam tech

breakingdefense.com/2025/07/as-e...

A ballistic missile was launched by the Houthis in Yemen at Israel, it caused sirens over the Dead Sea; an interceptor could be seen from Jerusalem and flaming debris falling from the atmosphere

I get that Bret has mostly been a pundit and never a serious war or military affairs reporter, hence a piece fully substantiated by his opinions. He would be well served to read @sfrantzman.bsky.social, who covered OIR & has criticized the lack of a similar Israeli strategy in Gaza. 2/2

“True to its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognize the State of Palestine.” - Macron

Israel's IDF Chief Lt. Gen. Zamir said today "We will also bolster our robotics capabilities, integrating them with the troops, enabling remote operation, improved control of territory, enemy detection, and rapid response."

Israel’s Gaza War Faces an Inflection Point The IDF’s exhaustion and Hamas’ dogged survival points to the likelihood of a Gaza ceasefire in the next two months.

Israel’s Gaza War Faces an Inflection Point
nationalinterest.org/blog/middle-...

IDF: Initial report - Sirens sounded in several areas in Israel following a projectile that was launched from Yemen. The details are under review.

The Israeli IDF said a soldier was killed in fighting in southern Gaza.

Why IDF avoided Hamas's Deir al-Balah stronghold until now | The Jerusalem Post Deir al-Balah is an important area of Gaza because it has been left relatively untouched throughout the war. This is the last real remaining area of Hamas' power.

Hamas's last stronghold: Why the IDF steered clear of Deir al-Balah - until now - analysis
www.jpost.com/israel-news/...

Syria’s Sweida unrest undermines Shara’a’s peace plans | The Jerusalem Post It seems that there is now concern in Washington that Damascus is not able to hold things together. Israel has played a complex role in this.

My analysis of Shara’a amid the Suwayda clashes from his Azerbaijan trip to today

What is Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s real strategy? - analysis

www.jpost.com/middle-east/...

then a small amount of tomato puree and several cups of chopped onions; we also added a dash of dried basil and then on low heat for three hours. #chezfrantzman

La Genovese Napoletana Sauce. We began by making a sofrito of very fine chopped carrot and celery sautéed with oil; then we added also a dash of onion and the cubed beef; after the beef was seared we added bay leaves, dash of salt, and white wine;

US-brokered Syria ceasefire stability in question amid renewed conflict | The Jerusalem Post The challenge now is whether the two sides can de-escalate. Numerous Bedouin tribes from across Syria mobilized to fight in Sweida.

After multiple rounds of renewed fighting, will the Syria truce finally last? - analysis

www.jpost.com/middle-east/...

Nice day for a sail

The findings are vague, such as: “Identification of the origin of the drones used in the attacks, which were found to carry warheads of varying weights and were manufactured outside Iraq.”

Iraq’s government said it has concluded its investigation into June 24 drone attacks on several radar sites