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The Commentary Magazine Podcast

Commentary Magazinewww.commentary.org
Commentary is America's premier monthly magazine of opinion: General, yet Jewish. Highly variegated, with a unifying perspective.Listen to The Commentary Magazine Podcast, along with more than 40 other original podcasts, at Ricochet.com. No paid subscription required.
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Episodes

Waterways and Means

Today we discuss the upcoming Iran negotiations in Pakistan, what Trump's plan might be considering the nonexistent ceasefire and ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and Israel's shifting focus to Hezbollah. Plus, Trump's scathing assault on the right wing podcast sphere, and John recommends Goodfellas . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 10, 20261 hr 17 min

Cease Or No Cease

FDD's Jonathan Schanzer joins us again today to discuss the non-ceasefire in the Iran war, the gap between the American proposal and Iranian demands, who is even in charge of the Iranian government right now, and is JD Vance out of his depth as a negotiator, Pakistan's role as mediator. Plus, the Lebanon factor, Netanyahu's political future in Israel, and Christine recommends Damien Valdez's essay Chokepoints are the true crossroads of history . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone....

Apr 09, 20261 hr 13 min

Hormuz Tollbooth

Contributing editor Eli Lake is back along with National Review's Noah Rothman to discuss the newly announced ceasefire in the Iran War, and debate whether the United States has the upper hand in negotiations, and what the future of the region might look like. Plus, John recommends Daniel Okrent's Stephen Sondheim biography Art Isn't Easy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 08, 20261 hr 10 min

Threat Assessment

Contributing editor Eli Lake joins a full house today to discuss the American and Israeli attacks on Kharg Island and president Trump's escalating online threats towards Iran. Is this just bluster and negotiating tactics, or will the president follow through and attack Iranian power plants? Plus, the incredible Artemis 2 moon mission, the podcast learns about Clavicular and mogging, and Eli recommends Menachem Begin's memoir White Nights. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adch...

Apr 07, 20261 hr 5 min

No Man Left Behind

We are back to cover everything that happened over Passover: The firing of Attorney General Pam Bondi, presidential libraries, Trump's Truth Social post threatening Iran on Easter, the Artemis II mission, and the stunning rescue operation of the downed American airmen. Plus, Seth recommends Kat Rosenfield's new novel, How to Survive in the Woods. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 06, 20261 hr 4 min

Mourning in Michigan

On our last show before Passover we discuss Michigan senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed's comments on the death of Ayatollah Khamenei published by the Free Beacon, and the democratic dilemma regarding more radical candidates. Plus, the absurd Dark Money accusations against AIPAC, and Eliana and Christine recommend the movie Nuremberg. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 31, 20261 hr 3 min

Wild Kharg

Contributing editor Jonathan Schanzer joins us for another update on the Iran war and Trump's comments on the Strait of Hormuz and Iranian oil, what type of ground operations might be launched, and how can the president sell his plans to the public? Plus, John recommends the new streaming sitcom American Classic . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 30, 20261 hr 8 min

How Does it End?

Today we discuss the lingering questions regarding Trump's Iran strategy - is he still pursuing a definitive end to the war, or searching for an exit ramp due to rising oil prices and the situation in the Strait of Hormuz? We also touch on the historical context of American losses of life and equipment, and the consequences of American treatment of its international allies. Plus, the fight over TSA funding reaches the boiling point, and the emerging danger of prediction market abuse by insiders....

Mar 27, 202658 min

Antisocial Media

Today we discuss social media companies losing lawsuits in California and New Mexico over child safety and addictive practices and the shifting public perception on these ubiquitous platforms. Will the growing realization of the dangers of these services lead to a substantial change in legislation or regulation, or will the change come from shifting social acceptability? Plus, Chrstine recommends Ruth Wisse's NEH Jefferson Lecture. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Mar 26, 20261 hr 12 min

The Post-Persuasion Age?

Today we discuss democrats flipping the Florida house seat that includes Mar-a-Lago and the importance of attractiveness and normalcy to political candidacy, as well as the uncertainty surrounding Trump's 15 point plan to end the Iran war and the inconsistent communication with the American public, and a new lawsuit against UCLA. Plus, John and our producer Noam recommend the new film Project Hail Mary. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Mar 25, 202659 min

Popping Crazy Pills

Today we conduct a brief review of the things that make us feel like we're taking crazy pills: The reactions to Trump deploying ICE to help assist with TSA logjams, Stanley McChrystal's interview on Iran, Mike Mullen's farcical recounting of the Bin Laden raid, the upcoming hagiographical Michael Jackson biopic, Claudine Gay's new teaching career, and Tucker Carlson's praise of Islamic culture and Sharia law. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Mar 24, 20261 hr 2 min

Oil Shock, Missile Relief

FDD's Jonathan Schanzer joins us to discuss the prospect of an Iranian uprising, as well as negative media reports on the progress of the war after two major strikes on Israeli population centers and an American ultimatum to open the Strait of Hormuz. Plus, the current state of Iran's missile arsenal, and what potential steps can the U.S. take next? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 23, 20261 hr 8 min

Boered to Death

Contributing editor Eli Lake joins us on this Friday to discuss the media's emerging quagmire narrative a mere 20 days into the war with Iran and what an American victory will look like, and how the attempts to mollify Iran in the past have led to the current unlikely regional coalition. Plus, how the Middle East conflict impacts the Indo-Pacific region and the Ukraine war. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Mar 20, 202656 min

The Pod-Caste System

Today we discuss the torrent of right wing podcast commentary regarding the war in Iran and the importance of a victory in the conflict to combating their narratives, as well as more revelations on Zohran Mamdani's wife, and the aftermath of Joe Kent's resignation and appearance on Tucker Carlson's show. Plus, the new sexual misconduct allegations against Cesar Chavez. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 19, 20261 hr 7 min

Kentridiction

Our old friend Noah Rothman joins us today to discuss Joe Kent's resignation letter and reinvention as a Tuckerite - the strange new respect by anti-Trump pundits, the true purpose of the career Israel-bashers, and will others follow his lead? Plus, the latest developments on the Iran war and the Strait of Hormuz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 18, 20261 hr 18 min

Failure to Launch

FDD's Jonathan Schanzer joins us on this St. Patrick's Day to discuss Israel degrading Iran's missile capabilities, as well as the developing Lebanese front. We also discuss the killing of Ali Larijani, the reports that Iran's new supreme leader is gay, and the open questions of whether Iranian proxies in Iraq and Yemen might join the fray. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 17, 20261 hr 8 min

Lights, Camera, Inaction!

Today we dive into the declining relevance of movies and movie theaters in the modern era, as well as the meager highlights from last night's Oscars ceremony: The snubs, the politics, and the tributes. Plus, more updates on the Iran war and the Strait of Hormuz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 16, 20261 hr 22 min

War Abroad, War At Home

Commentary contributing editor Eli Lake joins us today to discuss the two terrorist attacks in a Michigan synagogue and Old Dominion University, the reality of security for Jewish institutions in America, and the media's obsessive focus on the impact of antisemitism on Muslim Americans. Plus, is the U.S. military prepared to enforce passage in the Strait of Hormuz? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 13, 20261 hr 13 min

The Strait and Narrow

FDD's Jonathan Schanzer joins a full house to discuss the developments in the Iran war - Hezbollah's desperate rocket volley against Israel, Iranian attempts to mine the Strait of Hormuz, Hamas receiving a breather as focus shifts away from Gaza, and the debate surrounding regime change. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 12, 20261 hr 20 min

Wishcasting Failure

The indelible Chris Stirewalt joins us to discuss the overwhelming power disparity in the Iran war in contrast to its negative coverage in the media, and how the perverse incentives for partisan nastiness prevent progress on broadly popular policy measures. Plus, what Zohran Mamdani hosting Mahmoud Khalil says about the real intentions of those claiming to merely be "pro-Palestine," and the modern relevance of the 1933 novel The Oppermanns . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/a...

Mar 11, 20261 hr 15 min

Whack-a-Mullah

Today we discuss conflicting statements regarding the end of the Iran war, the progress of the American and Israeli attacks, reports that the new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei has already been eliminated, fluctuating oil prices surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, and the debate around "boots on the ground." Plus, CNN's awful tweet on the attempted IED attack outside Gracie Mansion in NYC, and the Mamdanis hosting Mahmoud Khalil for Ramadan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/ad...

Mar 10, 20261 hr 20 min

Manufacturing Dissent

Today we discuss the media's eagerness to declare the Iran war a failure a mere eight days into the conflict, the failed IED attack on protesters in New York City, and Zohran Mamdani's wife's online support for the October 7 attack. Plus, John recommends the film It Was Just An Accident by Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 09, 20261 hr 10 min

Noemsick

Our Washington Commentary Columnist Jamie Kirchick joins us to discuss Trump's firing of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and his new pick for the position, Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin. Plus, Tucker Carlson's newest antisemitic conspiracy theory involving Chabad, and the Russian connection to the Iran war. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 06, 20261 hr 6 min

Courting Anti-Zionists

The podcast explores the concerning trend of Democratic hopefuls, like Gavin Newsom and Ruben Gallego, adopting anti-Israel rhetoric, including calling Israel an "apartheid state." Ruthie Blum provides a firsthand account of life in Tel Aviv amidst missile attacks, highlighting Israeli resilience and unity. The discussion contrasts American political divisions over the war with Israel's strong national consensus, warning against the rising, bipartisan threat of anti-Semitism and the long-term geopolitical implications of combating the Iranian threat.

Mar 05, 20261 hr 10 min

Primary Targets

Today we break down the results of the Texas primaries and the upcoming runoff election between John Cornyn and Ken Paxton, as well as today's briefing on the progress of the Iran War. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 04, 20261 hr 16 min

Purim Pugilism

Our ongoing coverage of the Iran war continues with comments made by Marco Rubio and Mike Johnson on the justification for war, the historical comparisons to George W. Bush and the Iraq War, and the Trump administration's deficiencies in maintaining coherent messaging. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 03, 20261 hr 13 min

Iran Out Of Time

This episode provides an in-depth analysis of the ongoing US-Iran war, detailing military briefings, the coordination of strikes, and the administration's stated goals. Panelists debate the "war of choice" narrative, the true meaning of "regime change" in modern warfare, and the historical context of US-Iran relations. The discussion also covers the domestic political challenges facing the President during conflict and the evolving landscape of international alliances.

Mar 02, 20261 hr 8 min

EMERGENCY POD: Epic Fury

Eli Lake of the Free Press joins us for another emergency update on the ongoing American and Israeli military operations against Iran. What aces might Iran still have up its sleeve, and what does the future hold for the future of the region? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 01, 20261 hr 16 min

EMERGENCY POD: War With Iran

We are joined by FDD's Jonathan Schanzer and JNS's Ruthie Blum from Tel-Aviv to discuss the Israeli and American attacks on Iran, the news that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed, and what this means for the future of the country and the region. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 28, 20261 hr 12 min

Mergers and Inquisitions

Today we discuss Paramount Skydance's seemingly successful outbidding of Netflix in the race to purchase Warner Bros. and the grim reality of a media that refuses to adapt to the shifting digital landscape. Plus, the massive American military buildup in the Middle East as war with Iran inches closer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 27, 20261 hr 7 min
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