The Commentary Magazine Podcast

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 choi...

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/a...

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://strawberr...

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 ch...

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 choic...

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 Tim...

FDD's Jonathan Schanzer joins us today to try and make sense of the latest developments in the Iran war and the implications to the larger global balance of power in advance of Trump's summit with Xi Jinping, and how all this impacts Israel's efforts in the region. Plus, the disturbing trend of insider trading on betting markets, and John recommends Nicholas Lemann's Returning. Learn more about yo...

It's Wednesday and time to panic over the attack on Jewish students at George Washington University using an unknown substance, the supposed deal brewing with Iran despite the announcement of Operation Epic Freedom in the Strait of Hormuz. Plus, antiracism programs at Penn State Law School, and the death of Ted Turner. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While signs that hostilities with Iran might renew despite statements from Pete Hegseth to the contrary, we pivot to discussing last night's Met Gala and the current obsession with ugly as beauty, and the expansive world of modern celebrity. Plus, John recommends Jonathan Moore's The Night Market. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we discuss the president announcing American escorts for ships in the Strait of Hormuz and the negative reaction by shipping companies and insurers, and how the ongoing war might impact the midterm elections with the rise of radical democratic candidates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's May Day, and contributing editor Eli Lake is back to discuss Bernie Sanders' AI conference and the economic cold war with China, the mounting defenses of Graham Platner, and the ongoing standoff with Iran. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Continetti is back to discuss Janet Mills dropping out of the Maine senate primary and the potential rise of candidates like Graham Platner in the democratic party, the Supreme Court's ruling on the Louisiana racial gerrymander case, Pete Hegseth's appearance before congress, and the American blockade strategy against Iran. Plus, Matt recommends the book Monsters in the Archives. Learn more a...

Today we are joined by Judge Roy Altman to discuss his new book, Israel on Trial, which addresses claims against Israel from a legal standpoint. Plus, the indictments against Anthony Fauci's deputy and James Comey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices