Battles for Mosul and Raqqa: Challenges and comparisons
By SETH J. FRANTZMAN On March 22nd US forces helped transport elements of the Syrian Democratic Forces across lake Assad behind ISIS lines. Coming ashore around 30 kilometers from Raqqa, […]
Tag Archives: Iraq
Time to tour Kurdistan: A Photo Essay
By Seth J. Frantzman Looking for something new this year? This summer? A place where there aren’t legions of tourists, but has the beauty and opportunity to get off the […]
West Mosul offensive updates
By SETH J. FRANTZMAN On February 18th the reports had already begun that the Iraqi army intended to launch the long-awaited offensive to take Western Mosul, which is often called […]
Obama’s administration made the “Muslim ban” possible and the media won’t tell you
By SETH J. FRANTZMAN I was outraged by the ban on refugees from war-torn countries in the Middle East. I’ve covered refugees fleeing war in Iraq and Syria over the […]
Take the “thoughts and prayers” and shove em
By SETH J. FRANTZMAN “Pray for Germany,” read one meme floating around on Facebook. But I’m not praying for anyone and you shouldn’t either. “Thoughts and prayers have become the […]
Rex Tillerson’s oil background could be a game-changer for Kurdistan region
By SETH J. FRANTZMAN Texas-born Rex Tillerson is Donald Trump’s pick for Secretary of State. He received a degree from the University of Texas and has worked in the oil […]
Liberating the land: Seth J. Frantzman reports from the Mosul offensive
By Seth J. Frantzman On October 17, 2016 the Iraqi central government launched the long-awaited Mosul offensive. Thousands of Iraqi army soldiers from three units, the 9th Armored, the 16th […]
Photo essay: Inside a Kakei village liberated from ISIS by peshmerga
By SETH J. FRANTZMAN In May of 2016 more than 5,000 Peshmerga, including Zerevani special forces, liberated nine Kakei and Shabak villages that lie near the Great Zab and Khazir […]
Photo essay: Kurds on the frontline against ISIS in Bashiqa
By SETH J. FRANTZMAN Two months ago we set off for the Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq. We spent time at various locations of the war effort, including a night […]
Background and strategy of Kurdish Peshmerga operation to take 11 villages near Khazir-Gwer
By SETH J. FRANTZMAN In the early hours of August 14th Kurdish Peshmerga forces launched an offensive on the Khazir and Gwer fronts aimed at liberating 11 villages from Islamic […]
Seth J. Frantzman - author - analyst 