The Commentary Magazine Podcast

Our friend Chris Stirewalt joins us to discuss the evidence that a democratic wave in November is not a done deal, the ever-increasing uncertainty surrounding Iran amid reports that centrifuges were moved into the fortified Pickaxe Mountain facility, and the scapegoating of Israel in an attempt to take heat off of Trump. Plus, new revelations about Abdul El-Sayed's half sister in the Free Beacon, and the creeping danger of left wing violence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's Monday, and we're back to discuss Iran striking US positions in Jordan and Iraq, the downplaying of American casualties and stockpile depletion, and the realization that intimidation tactics are not bearing fruit. Plus, Abdul El-Sayed's interview with Jake Tapper, Zohran Mamdani flirting with attempting to arrest Netanyahu, and John strongly recommends The Odyssey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our friend Noah Rothman is back to discuss President Trump's Thursday night speech about Chinese efforts to interfere with American elections and the notable absence of Iran and the resumption of the war from the remarks. Plus, Washington democrat Adam Smith admits that he flipped his vote on aid to Israel due to threats and intimidation from the left, Marco Rubio's speech on left-wing violence, and John recommends Dangerous, Dirty, Violent and Young. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Contributing editor Eli Lake is back to discuss the newest round of bad news - JD Vance joining Joe Rogan for a conspiracy fueled podcast, 103 democrats joining Thomas Massie to vote to cut off aid to Israel, and Ro Khanna's DropSite interview trying to capitalize on his West Bank stunt. Plus, John ironically recommends Joe Biden's upcoming memoir Promise Me, America. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The president is due to give a primetime address to the nation on Thursday the 16th. We give him advice on what he should talk about. We also talk about the mysterious affluence of Michigan senatorial candidate Abdul El-Sayed and his fondness for expensive watches. And we wonder at New York State going Luddite when it comes to AI and data centers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we discuss the United States officially being back at war with Iran and the resumption of the American blockade in order to open the Strait of Hormuz, the new revelations surrounding Michigan senatorial candidate Abdul El-Sayed, and John recommends Christine Rosen's The Extinction of Experience. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's Monday, and we are back to discuss the waves of airstrikes against Iran over the weekend and what the US might do next, the legacy of Senator Lindsey Graham, who passed suddenly over the weekend, and Abdul El-Sayed's race in Michigan. Plus, Seth recommends Maggie Stiefvater's The Listeners, and John recommends What Happens at Night by Peter Cameron. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's Friday, and contributing editor Eli Lake joins us to discuss whether we are at war with Iran again, and how can Trump reconcile his desire for a deal with Iranian intransigence? Plus, the evil conspiracy theories surrounding Charlie Kirk reach a fever pitch during his trial, and John recommends the new film Gale Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Continetti is back to discuss Graham Platner suspending his campaign with an angry 11-minute video diatribe, and whether his cratering poll numbers played a part in democrats' willingness to cut him loose. Plus, Iran's overreach leads to a resumption of hostilities in the region, Rahm Emmanuel's hallucinatory speech in Israel and the upcoming Israeli elections, and Matt recommends Richard Brookhiser's The Hero Returns: Lafayette and the Legacy of Revolution. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John is joined by author Nicholas Lemann to discuss his new memoir Returning and the story of the American Jewish immigrant family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we discuss the latest explosive allegations against Graham Platner, leading to a string of endorsement withdrawals and a likely withdrawal from the Maine senate race, and how the New York Times tried to bury serious charges against Platner in their June story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are back to discuss the July 4th weekend and the Great America Fair, the upcoming democratic primary election in Michigan between Abdul El-Sayed and Haley Stevens, the new Free Beacon poll on republican primary voters, and The NYT editorial on standardized testing for college admissions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John is joined by Professor Ruth Wisse for a discussion on her book If I Am Not for Myself: The Liberal Betrayal of the Jews, the challenges Jews face in an era of converging hatreds, and the need for American Jews to leverage their position in society for their own self-defense. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Continetti is back to discuss the wave of democratic incumbent losses to insurgent DSA candidates and the party establishment's lack of pushback, and what this could mean for the next democratic administration. Plus, the revelation that Trump has made $2 billion as president, Nina Totenberg's false announcement of Justice Alito's retirement, and Matt recommends Michael Connelly's Ironwood. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we are joined by AEI's Adam White to try and make sense of the Supreme Court decisions striking down President Trump's executive order on Birthright Citizenship, upholding state bans on transgender athletes, and overturning limits on political party-coordinated spending. Plus, we celebrate Mel Brooks on his 100th birthday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we discuss the ongoing fallout from DSA candidate victories in NY primary elections and the shifting lines of acceptability in political discourse, the video of Scott Wiener being harassed at a pride event in San Francisco and the rise of the all-obliterating omnicause. Plus, putting to bed the leftist fantasy about the impending end of Israel, and John recommends Darcy O'Brien's A Way of Life, Like Any Other. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jewish Insider Editor-in-Chief Josh Kraushaar joins us to discuss the radicalism and antisemitism festering in New York's DSA circles, and the piling up of scandals that would have doomed political careers in the past. How did we get to this point, and how will both parties approach this trend in the lead up to the midterm elections? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our friend Noah Rothman joins us today to discuss the demographics of New York's primary election results, and how voting for socialists is an expression of perpetual childhood. Plus, The ongoing breakdown of relations between President Trump and the republican senate caucus, and a check-in on the situation in the Middle East. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Contributing editor Eli Lake and FDD's John Schanzer join us today to mourn New York City in the wake of the string of radical left candidate victories in the democratic primaries. Plus, the latest on the Iran MOU and Israel's impossible position with regards to Hezbollah. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we discuss the antisemitic shooting in Montreal, and the controversy involving Dan Goldman and a Brooklyn coffee shop. Plus, Dan Schueftan, chairman of the National Security Studies Center at the University of Haifa, speaks on the current regional and international state of Israel, and the struggle to ensure the continuity of the Jewish way of life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Washington commentary columnist Jamie Kirchick joins us to discuss the unfurling disaster at the Iran talks in Switzerland and the establishment of a "deconfliction cell" that doesn't include Israel, and the looming specter of Israel's scapegoating for the inevitable failure of the agreement. Plus, Keir Starmer's resignation, the ongoing reflecting pool controversy, the DSA ascendancy in democratic politics, the passing of Alan Greenspan, and John recommends Voicemails for Isabelle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we discuss reports on issues with the Iran MOU and the cancellation of JD Vance's trip to Switzerland, ostensibly over ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, and the scapegoating of Israel, Zionists, and neocons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Continetti is back to discuss the inauguration of the Obama presidential center in Chicago and president Obama's legacy. Plus, the ongoing unfolding Iran disaster with the signing of the MOU and Trump's press conference, Israel's precarious position in Lebanon, and Matt recommends The Infinity Machine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we discuss the media blitz to sell the Iran MOU despite refusing to release its contents, as well as the contents of the agreement that were published in the media. Plus, Trump torpedoes Jay Clayton's nomination for DNI, JD Vance's appearance on Megyn Kelly, and the elections in Georgia and DC, a new FBI investigation of Gavin Newsom, and John recommends The Furious. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Contributing editor Eli Lake is back to discuss the MOU with Iran, which has seemed to receive universal condemnation from everyone except vice president JD Vance, who is engaged in a widespread media tour to sell a deal whose details remain unknown. Plus, the indictments of Pro-Palestinian activists at the University of Michigan for their campaign of threats and intimidation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FDD's Jonathan Schanzer is back to discuss President Trump's terrible Iran deal and the ongoing uncertainty about its details, as well as America's position in the world in the aftermath of such a deal. Plus, the Bidens attempt a comeback, and Jay Clayton's nomination for DNI. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's Friday, and time to discuss yet another round of "is there a deal with Iran?" after reports on the latest proposal that put a halt to a planned attack on Kharg Island. How much longer can this situation persist? Plus, Jodi Kantor defends Graham Platner and lays MeToo to rest. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our friend Matt Continetti is back to discuss the central theory of Trump's second term, as well as the resumption of strikes on Iran and the threat to take Kharg Island. Is this a negotiating tactic, or have the Iranians finally pushed Trump too far? Plus, the expiration of FISA, the launch of the World Cup, the historic Knicks game, the inflation numbers, and Matt recommends the documentary Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial vs That's the Weight of the World). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we discuss Trump's ongoing pendulum swings on Iran and the contrast between his statements and American action, as well as revelations from Jonathan Swan and Maggie Haberman's upcoming book on the Trump admin's reaction to the Epstein scandal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FDD's Jonathan Schanzer is back to discuss yesterday's chain of events involving Hezbollah, Israel, and Iran, and the stream of contradictory media reports and remarks from admin officials. Plus, more on the miscalculations in conducting the war and what the endgame might look like, and a check in on Graham Platner. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we discuss Israel's retaliatory strikes on Iran and reports that Trump had instructed Netanyahu to not respond to the Iranian missile salvo. Was Israel's response indicative of a smoke screen or something more serious, and how does it relate to reports that the Pentagon is concerned about a rising espionage threat from Israel? Plus, Scott Pelley's post-firing media tour, and Seth recommends Legends on Netflix. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tablet Magazine's Liel Liebovitz joins us to discuss the newest allegations against Graham Platner published by the New York Times and the paper's misconduct in handling the story, and how politics supplanting culture in America has led to the current state. Plus, a look back at the worst moments for public health officials during COVID. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Contributing editor Eli Lake is back to help us beat back the crushing morosity with an extra long show all about how America is actually a great country that affords infinite opportunities for those who wish to thrive there. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our friend Matt Continetti is back to discuss Adam Hamawy's victory in the NJ democratic primary and what it means for other extremist democrats on the ballot, the various California races. Plus, the slog of war continues with more uncertainty and indecisiveness in the Iran war, and Bill Pulte's appointment as acting DNI. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FDD's Jonathan Schanzer is back to discuss a litany of bad news: a disputed report on an aggressive phone call between president Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu over Israel's planned offensive on Beirut, the regional obstacles to a resolution in Iran, and the multi-pronged approach necessary to achieve it. Plus, the California primary vote, and John recommends Obsession. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Contributing editor Eli Lake joins us today to discuss Iran pulling out of talks with the US over Israel's expanding offensive in Lebanon, the American fear of utilizing ground troops, and Trump's only way out of the deadlock. Plus, Graham Platner's latest controversy and the aggressive attempts to tamp it down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's Friday, and we are back to discuss reports that Iran has used the ongoing ceasefire to extract missiles and launchers from destroyed sites and how losing countries can exploit breaks in fighting to their advantage, as well as Trump's anti-weaponization fund and his other corrupt practices. Plus, John recommends Faulkner's Light in August. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we discuss Jill Biden's comments on her reaction to her husband's disastrous debate performance and how they differ from her public statements at the time, and how this could help Kamala Harris in 2028. Plus, the rise of Marco Rubio and what direction will the republican party take, and another check-in on the Iran ceasefire. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our friend Matt Continetti is back to discuss John Cornyn's loss to Ken Paxton in the Texas primary and the republican chances to defeat James Talarico, the Park Slope coop voting to boycott Israeli products, New Jersey candidate Adam Hamawy's terrorism ties, and the cultivation of anti-Israel sentiment in American society. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are back to discuss the long weekend's rollercoaster news cycle regarding a forming peace deal with Iran that has yet to materialize, culminating in American strikes on Iranian assets in the Strait of Hormuz. Plus, the leveraging of social media for political advertising, and John recommends the movie Tuner. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's Thursday, and our friend Matt Continetti is back to discuss the ongoing fight over funding for the White House ballroom and the never-ending Iran ceasefire. Plus, Matt recommends the documentary Marty, Life is Short, and John recommends the Broadway play Becky Shaw. Check out our sponsor over at https://strawberry.me Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we discuss Thomas Massie's loss in the Kentucky primary and Trump prioritizing loyalty at the potential cost of election defeats. Plus, actor Javier Bardem and director Laszlo Nemes trading comments on being pro-Palestinian in entertainment, the Islamic Center shooting in San Diego, and what it will take to rout out the disease of antisemitism. Check out our sponsor over at https://strawberry.me Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

National Review's Noah Rothman is back to celebrate the publication of his new book Blood and Progress and to discuss the press-credentialed Luigi Mangione fans outside his court proceedings and the underlying philosophy behind left wing support for violence. Check out our sponsor at https://strawberry.me Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's Monday, and we are joined by our friend Dan Senor to discuss the looming election in Israel and the prospects of an Israeli government without Bibi Netanyahu, the signs that hostility might resume in Iran in light of ongoing Iranian intransigence, and Senator Bill Cassidy's loss in the Louisiana primary. Check out our new sponsor at https://strawberry.me/commentary Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's Friday, and contributing editor Eli Lake is back to discuss the historical context of the Trump-Xi summit, the false air of permanence that surrounds authoritarian regimes, are Trump's potential geopolitical successes worth his domestic policy issues, and Eli recommends Whiplash. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Continetti is back to discuss President Trump's summit with Xi Jinping and the topics of Taiwan, Iran, EVs, and AI. Plus, JD Vance's Maine visit on the backdrop of Marco Rubio's rising favorables, the importance of winning the Iran war to republican chances in 2028, and Matt recommends the movie Biloxi Blues. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we discuss an intelligence assessment cited by the New York Times claiming Iran's military capabilities were not substantially damaged by the war, Thomas Massie's primary woes, and the risks of a major American party centering its identity on antisemitism. Plus, John remembers Abe Foxman. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

JNS's Ruthie Blum joins us today to discuss three New York Times articles that point to a disturbing trend with regards to the paper's coverage of Israel - Israel's absence from a list of New York's best restaurants, a piece on supposed Israeli manipulation of the Eurovision Song Contest, and Nicholas Kristof's piece alleging Israel trained dogs to rape Palestinians. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's Monday, and FDD's Jonathan Schanzer is back to discuss another confusing weekend in the Iran war with the trading of proposals for a deal, Senator Mark Kelly's statement on the depletion of US munitions, the controversy over Trump's gold statue at Doral, and the passing of longtime ADL director Abe Foxman. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's Friday, and we still don't understand exactly what is going on with Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, so instead we discuss unfair comparisons between this conflict and Putin's war in Ukraine, the historical context of so-called "wars of choice," the strange absences from the jacket of Rachel Goldberg-Polin's book, and the Pulitzer prize awarded to photographs from a since-retracted New York Times story. Plus, Seth recommends Ulrich Boschwitz's The Passenger. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices