The Commentary Magazine Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Boats Off Venezuela, Negotiators in Moscow Dec 02, 2025

Show notes

Today we take up the New York Times and its implicit takedown of the Washington Post story claiming Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth ordered a second strike in an attack on a drug-smuggling boat in September. Then we wonder what possible incentive the U.S. can offer Russia to take its "peace deal." And for today's COMMENTARY RECOMMENDS, I choose the actor Tim Blake Nelson's novel Superhero. Give a listen.

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An American War Crime? Dec 01, 2025

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Did the U.S. military commit a war crime with a strike on a suspected drug boat in the Caribbean, or is the story made up? What exactly is President Trump up to regarding Venezuela? How do we fix immigration and asylum policy so that Muslim immigrants are better assimilated? And what's the mood in Israel regarding Netanyahu's pardon request? We raise these and other issues on today's podcast. Give a listen.

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Abe Interviews John Nov 28, 2025

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In this special post-Thanksgiving episode, I ask COMMENTARY's editor about everything from endless ideological fights to Israel's supposed information-war failure to his favorite TV show. Give a listen.

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Witkoff's Call, Mamdani's Transition Nov 26, 2025

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Today we try to parse the game behind Trump negotiator Steve Witkoff coaching his Russian counterpart on how to win Trump's favor before moving on to Zohran Mamdani's repulsive transition team. Give a listen.

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Vance Whines, the Comey Case Collapses Nov 25, 2025

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Adam White joins the podcast today to discuss the latest developments in the legal controversies surrounding Donald Trump and his administration, from the Comey case to the tariffs at the Supreme Court. Also: Why is JD Vance complaining about the "Beltway GOP" when he is the crown prince of the Beltway GOP? Give a listen.

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Oy, There's Too Much News Nov 24, 2025

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Jonathan Schanzer joins today to discuss the torrent of developments from Gaza to Ukraine, from Trump-Mamdani to Rubio vs. his former Senate colleagues, from Twitterbot foreign agents to Muslim Brotherhood terrorist designations. Wow! Give a listen.

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Mamdani's Evil Nov 21, 2025

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Today's podcast takes up Zohran Mamdani's spokesman's appalling declaration that a meeting inside a synagogue about how to move to Israel was a violation of international law—in effect justifying an anti-Semitic demonstration outside it. Give a listen.

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How the Culture Promotes Anti-Semitism Nov 20, 2025

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As a genocidal protest breaks out in front of an Orthodox synagogue in New York City, elsewhere in the cultural capital, a books-awards group hands out garlands to explicitly anti-Zionist and anti-Semitic work. This continues a trend that is alienating readers and movie audiences and others—the wild politicization of forms of education and entertainment. Give a listen.

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The Saudis Come Calling Nov 19, 2025

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We talk about the remarkable new relationship developing between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, the remarkable developing hostility between the U.S. and Venezuela, and the remarkable breakup journalism of Olivia Nuzzi and Ryan Lizza. Give a listen.

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Could Machines Blackmail Us? Nov 18, 2025

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James B. Meigs joins us to talk about how scared, or not, we should be by AI. Also: What gives with NASA? Give a listen.

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