The Commentary Magazine Podcast

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

We continue our ongoing coverage of the Iran War by discussing this morning's press conference with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and General Dan Caine, and the implications of American strategy on the day after. Plus Christine recommends People in Glass Houses. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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

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

Today we reminisce about pre-internet money culture and the dangers of the new digital paradigm, particularly for children, on the backdrop of ongoing lawsuits against social media companies. How can children navigate this new world, will tech companies be held accountable, and how does all this connect to the Epstein files? Plus John recommends Allegra Goodman's This is Not About Us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we discuss all aspects of President Trump's State of the Union Address: The television spectacle, the outbursts, the guests of honor, and more. Will the speech help Republicans close the enthusiasm gap in advance of the midterm elections? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we discuss Gavin Newsom's SAT scores on the backdrop of his 2028 presidential ambitions, and John recommends Splitsville. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AEI's Adam White joins us on this snowy Monday to discuss the Supreme Court's 6-3 decision striking down Trump's IEEPA tariffs, particularly Justice Gorsuch's concurrence, as well as possible replacements for the potentially retiring Justice Alito. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we discuss the breaking news that SCOTUS has ruled Trump's tariffs unconstitutional, as well as the 2025 economic numbers and the ongoing creep towards an attack on Iran. Plus, Trump's plan to release government files on aliens, and John recommends Your Pro-Israel Bookshelf. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we discuss Tucker Carlson's concocted controversy surrounding his airport interview with Ambassador Mike Huckabee, the growing anticipation of a potential American attack on Iran, the U.S. hockey victory at the Winter Olympics, and Prince Andrew's arrest. Plus, John recommends Marty Supreme.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The buildup of American forces in the Middle East as the Iran talks falter has us asking: is war coming, or is it all just negotiating bluster? Plus, republicans brace for the midterms, and Washington DC's historic sewage spill. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we discuss the legacies of the recently-deceased Robert Duvall and Jesse Jackson, AOC's blunders and Marco Rubio's triumph at the Munich Security Conference, and John recommends You've Got Mail. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we discuss a worrisome new Wall Street Journal piece on Kristi Noem and Corey Lewandowski's conduct at the Department of Homeland Security. Plus, early signs that Trump's iron grip on the Republican party starting to slip, the alarmism surrounding the revocation of the EPA's regulation of CO2, the HHS's assault on medical advancements, and Christine recommends Magda Szabó's The Fawn. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices