The Commentary Magazine Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Popping Crazy Pills Mar 24, 2026

Show notes

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.

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Oil Shock, Missile Relief Mar 23, 2026

Show notes

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?

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Boered to Death Mar 20, 2026

Show notes

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.

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The Pod-Caste System Mar 19, 2026

Show notes

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.

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Kentridiction Mar 18, 2026

Show notes

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.

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Failure to Launch Mar 17, 2026

Show notes

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.

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Lights, Camera, Inaction! Mar 16, 2026

Show notes

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.

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War Abroad, War At Home Mar 13, 2026

Show notes

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?

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The Strait and Narrow Mar 12, 2026

Show notes

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.

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Wishcasting Failure Mar 11, 2026

Show notes

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.

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