The Commentary Magazine Podcast

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

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

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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/adchoices

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/adchoices

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

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

Today we discuss 2028 democratic hopefuls Gavin Newsom and Ruben Gallego ratcheting up their anti-Israel rhetoric. JNS's Ruthie Blum then joins us from Tel-Aviv to discuss the reality of bomb shelters and life under the shadow of Iranian attacks and the battle for American public opinion. Plus, John recommends the movie Sovereign. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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