The Commentary Magazine Podcast

Our friend Matt Continetti is back to discuss the massive GOP wipeout in the midterm elections, analyze the causes for the historic loss, look ahead to the next two years in Washington, and drill down on individual race results across the country. Plus, Matt recommends Fodor's Florida Travel guide. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's election day and we are joined by our friend Chris Stirewalt to discuss the seemingly impending blue wave and all the ways in which Trump contributed to the expected loss of the senate, whether the polls might be historically wrong, Haley Stevens' statement on her endorsement of Mike Rogers, Ross Douthat's excellent interviewing skills, and a look ahead to the potential democratic nominee in 2028. Plus, Trump's statement on an agreement to end military aid to Israel and how it might undercut candidates who ran on ending it legislatively, and the crew recommends Michael Powell's Atlantic article on Adam Hamawy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are joined by JNS's Ruthie Blum from Tel Aviv to discuss tomorrow's impending midterm election and the hoopla in Michigan over Haley Stevens endorsing Mike Rogers and the ridiculous reactions from democrats. Plus, Israel's elections are over, and now the process of coalition-building begins with Avigdor Lieberman refusing to serve with Netanyahu, thus all but ensuring another round of elections. Finally, what the future holds for Trump with regards to Iran and the prospects of facing a democratic majority in the House and Senate, and John and Abe recommend the PBS Great Performances episode on the songwriter Jimmy Webb. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are joined by Dan Senor and Matt Continetti to discuss the final vote totals in Israel's elections and the prospects of forming a new government, and how will potential new coalitions deal with Israel's geopolitical challenges? Plus, the issue of rising antisemitism in the leadup to the midterms, the problem with polling rural conservatives, Haley Stevens' message to Abdul El-Sayed, and Matt honors the late Patrick Stewart by recommending the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode The Inner Light and his general body of work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Contributing editor Eli Lake joins us today to correct the record on Jon Lovett's comments on Michigan Jews and Abdul El-Sayed, and discuss the larger implications of centering Israel in US politics and the different flavors of antisemitism on the left and right as both parties struggle with their own cohorts in the approach to the midterms. Is there any cause for optimism going forward, or do even darker days lie ahead? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ben Shapiro joins us today to discuss the results of the Israeli election, where the anti-Bibi coalition underperformed and likely denied Eisenkot the prime ministership. Can Netanyahu form a new type of coalition or rely on Smotrich, Ben Gvir, and the ultra orthodox parties, and what might another round of elections look like if he can't? Plus, the election results as viewed through the prism of American politics, and John recommends the movie Confession. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Israeli election is in full swing with the highest turnout in 50 years. What will this mean for the Arab parties, Netanyahu's chances of survival, and will an Eisenkot victory expose American leftists who claim to only be anti-Bibi? Plus, the midterms loom large with the Michigan race seemingly tied and reports that early voting turnout in the state is down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are back on this Monday to discuss tomorrow's Israeli election and next week's midterm election in the US, and whether other international electoral trends will come into play in both after Lula's victory in the Brazilian election, and a series of violent riots in European cities. Plus, the comments by Obama and Elissa Slotkin, Abdul El-Sayed's confrontation with Bret Baier, Ilhan Omar's new ad, fake polling firms, the Young Turks recycle their old antisemitic ad, and John recommends The Imaginary Invalid on Broadway. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we discuss the posthumous exposé on Lindsay Graham's sexuality by The Young Turks, as well as Ilhan Omar's legal troubles and the questions on her identity and immigration status breaking through after years of being dismissed as a racist conspiracy theory. Plus, the Free Beacon exposes anti-Israel activists' "olive harvest" racket in the West Bank after Brad Lander's latest stunt, the backfiring of Vivek Ramaswamy's inflammatory ad, and John recommends the comedian Yohay Sponder's Genesis tour. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our friends Matt Continetti of the WSJ and Jonathan Schanzer of FDD join us today to discuss Saudi Arabia's Houthi bind, the possibility of the entire region being dragged into the conflict, the controversy over the shutdown of Starshield, which limited Ukraine's ability to strike Russia, and the possibility of renewed Israeli/American offensives on Iran. Plus, more election talk, and Matt recommends The Strategist by Eliot A. Cohen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NBC news analyst Steve Kornacki joins us today to discuss his "Kornacki Cam" and election night coverage, and to offer his predictions and historical perspective on some key races for house, senate, and governor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we discuss Vivek Ramaswamy's new anti-Amy Acton ad in the Ohio gubernatorial race starring Acton's mother and the injection of intra-family conflict into politics, as well as the ongoing unrest in France and Italy, Benny Gantz withdrawing from the Israeli elections, Pete Hegseth's unannounced visit to Israel, JD Vance's foreign endorsement hypocrisy, and the prospects of an attack on Iran prior to the elections. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Contributing editor Eli Lake is back on this Monday to discuss the upheaval in France and the influence of Palestinianism and the "globalize the intifada" movement and how this will impact the upcoming French elections, as well as the warning signs to America with the rise of radical left-wing candidates. Plus, Eli recommends Merle Haggard's Mama Tried, and John recommends Ken Burns' country music documentary. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our friend Noah Rothman joins us today to discuss the counterintuitive republican competitiveness in bluer states while floundering in historically easier races, particularly in Texas, where James Talarico seems poised to win the democrats' first statewide race since 1994. Plus, the Trump administration's disgraceful treatment of Ukraine and its incoherent strategy on the war, the turn against Indian Americans, and John recommends You Can See Everything. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our friend Matt Continetti is back on this Thursday to discuss John Ossoff's surprise declaration that he won't run for president before the end of his term, who will end up as the democratic nominee in 2028, and how will the Judaism of certain potential candidates impact their chances? Plus, Obama's awful ahistorical Belfast speech, Abdul El-Sayed's terrible response to reports of his family's Muslim Brotherhood associations, NYC's comptroller refusing to buy Israel bonds in violation of his campaign promise, Mamdani gaining new haters in the anti-Israel crowd, and Matt recommends Thomas Mallon's Henry and Clara. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's Wednesday, and we are still immersed in pre-election news with the New York and Oregon gubernatorial debates, as well as new details on the Ilhan Omar raid and reports on the discrepancy of her age. Plus, the White House gets a new press secretary, the ongoing legal case against Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, and John recommends the new show Cupertino. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the midterms three weeks away, Abdul El-Sayed's liabilities are starting to make an impact, particularly due to his inability to respond to some of the worst allegations against him. Will his complacency from the primary run into the harsh reality of a general election? Plus, James Talarico's extended absence, the New York gubernatorial race, Kimberly Guilfoyle being asked to resign as ambassador to Greece, and John recommends Neal Stephenson's D: Heavy Water. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are back on this Columbus Day to discuss Trump's newest turn against Zelensky and the nonexistent energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, as well as Abdul El-Sayed's Muslim Brotherhood connection. Plus, the potential merits of the DHS raid on the home of rep. Ilhan Omar, the Saudi stubbornness and incompetence in their war against the Houthis, and John recommends Adam Kirsch's We Want to Believe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our friend Matt Continetti joins us on this Friday to discuss polling averages one month before the midterm elections, and whether polling errors in the primaries will rear their heads again in the general election. Plus, the Michigan debate between Mike Rogers and Abdul El-Sayed, the disgraceful Navi Pillay wins the Nobel Peace Prize, and Matt recommends the podcast "The Plot Thickens." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John introduces a rebroadcast of our first show after the October 7th attacks, featuring Dan Senor, Abe Greenwald, Christine Rosen, and Matt Continetti. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan Senor joins us from Israel on this third anniversary of the October 7th attacks to revisit the initial reactions to the horrors and discuss the downstream consequences of instant anti-Israel responses, the contrast between the atmosphere in Israel and in American Jewish communities, and what the way forward might look like. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we discuss the data points that seem to contradict predictions of a major democratic sweep in the midterms, the political unrest in France and England, the increased sociopolitical capital of protesting and rioting in an age of diminishing reasons to protest and riot, Obama campaigning with Abdul El-Sayed, Brett McGurk's new book pouring cold water on Clinton-era revisionism, and John recommends John Steinbeck's East of Eden. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we discuss the story of the Cornell 7 and the controversy surrounding accounts of the events and aftermath of the incident, the potential for bias in the appointment of Letitia James as special prosecutor, as well as the general degradation of academia. Plus, England's Green Party further descends into antisemitism, and New York City ends its relationship with a far left synagogue. We end with Seth's recommendation of the PBS miniseries Tresspasses. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's Friday, and we are back to discuss marking a full year without any rockets or missiles fired into Israel from the Gaza Strip and how this relates to the fierce opposition to Netanyahu in Israel as the election approaches and how this can be viewed through the prism of Israeli political history. Plus, Israel's connection to thwarting the terrorist attack on an American airbase in the UK on the backdrop of British politicians ratcheting up their anti-Israel rhetoric and policies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are back on this Thursday to discuss the tight polling of likely voters in Michigan and whether this is considered good news in the current polling atmosphere, Troy Jackson's comments on Jewish Mainers, Ken Paxton's leaked comments on the midterm convention, and Anthropic's Dario Amodei's comments on AI personhood and rights. Plus, Eliana recommends The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our friend Matt Continetti is back to discuss breaking news of a thwarted 9/11-style attack on a flight from Dubai to Tel-Aviv and the heroism of the passengers who averted disaster, and how this ties to recent terrorism stories coming out of the UK, and to Iranian grand strategy. Plus, Senator Eric Schmitt embarrassing sports gaffe during the Jack Smith hearing, and Matt recommends the reissue of Saul Bellow's To Jerusalem and Back. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Contributing Editor Eli Lake is back to discuss his review of Mahmoud Khalil's new book and debate whether the efforts to deport him were unwise. Plus, the Trump administration moves to block EV adoption and reinstate Title IX rules that were revoked under Biden, how America can right the ship on education, the strange polling numbers in Ohio, and John recommends season 2 of Mobland. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's Monday, and we're back to discuss Sunkist reversing their decision to cancel the Bar Mitzvah favorite fruit gems, the Hormuz crisis coming to a head, and the foiled terrorist attack in Britain with suspected ties to Iran. Plus, impending doom for Republicans in November's polling numbers over the war, the economy, and data centers, and John recommends True Detective by Max Allan Collins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's Friday, and after a brief opening discussion about records, we turn to discuss Benjamin Netanyahu's UNGA speech, Macron's embarrassing flub, the ongoing efforts to find some resolution to the Iran war, the upcoming Israeli elections, the lowlife antisemitism of actor Wallace Shawn. Plus, Seth recommends The Barman of the Ritz, and John recommends The World at Night. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we discuss Benjamin Netanyahu's speech to the UNGA after the son of Israel's ambassador to the US was seriously injured in a terrorist attack, news that the Israeli film NAZA will be released for free online, the fight over the word genocide, and Israel's "damned if you do, damned if you don't" trap. Plus, new polling data in key senatorial races, and John recommends season 6 of Slow Horses. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Continetti joins us on this Wednesday to discuss football being back, as well as Rob Bonta's failure to stop the Paramount-WB merger, how it connects to the pro-Palestine movement, and what the future of news media might look like. Plus, the Iranian president speaks at the UNGA despite being at war with the host country, Trump's speech, the Saudi-Houthi war, and Matt recommends Wait Till Next Year by Mike Lupica and William Goldman, and John also recommends William Goldman's The Season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's Monday, and we are back to gloat about Commentary's non-susceptibility to current online media monetization trends in the age of broken search and ubiquitous AI, as well as discuss the widely discussed New York Times piece by Nikole Hannah-Jones on the failure of her daughter's public schooling, and Trump's newest idea for the DC memorial arch. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our old friend Noah Rothman is back this Friday to discuss Trump's latest attempts to pacify Putin on the backdrop of reports that Russia might attack NATO countries, and how the business incentive strategy has proven unsuccessful time and time again. Plus, the dangers of mistaken presumptions on the motivation of immigrants from Muslim countries, the controversy over Indian students at the University of Texas after comments from Republican candidate Bo French, and Noah's latest article, The Future of Woke. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's Thursday, and our friend Matt Continetti is back to discuss Hasan Piker's Axios interview and his comments on 9/11 and Al-Qaeda, and how this might impact Abdul El-Sayed and the Michigan senate race. Plus, a review of battleground state polling, the Fed raises interest rates in defiance of Trump, the Saudi-Houthi war, the fight over the Kennedy Center, and Matt recommends the book Mind vs. Machine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we discuss Trump holding the Kennedy Center hostage, the tightening senatorial races in Ohio, Texas, Michigan, and elsewhere, JD Vance's ongoing descent into Tucker Carlsonian thought, and our producer Noam Blum joins us to discuss the controversy over Macklemore being removed from the Ed Sheeran tour. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we discuss the New York Times reporting on the mystery surrounding the condition of Iranian Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei and whether he is even still alive, the Saudi war against the Houthis, and the Russia-Ukraine connection. Plus, 60 Minutes returns under the leadership of Bari Weiss, and democratic megadonor control of media outlets. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our friend Chris Stirewalt joins us to discuss the midterm republican convention and what effect it might have on the midterm elections, the controversy surrounding Indian-Americans and immigrant integration, the call from AI leaders for a technological slowdown and the nebulous dangers of innovation. Plus, the crew recommends the Hulu show Furious. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Contributing editor Eli Lake joins us on this Friday to discuss the current geopolitical reality through the prism of the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks and the Global War on Terror. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we discuss last night's unusual Republican midterm convention, Donald Trump's pledge to give Americans five grand if the GOP retains control of Congress, and whether the whole thing was a good idea? We also talk about our winning strategy in Iran and how best to hone the messaging around the war. Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Surprise! Abdul El-Sayed is connected to an imam who doesn't like gays and Jews. How did we go from 9/11 to the War on Terror to candidates like him? And how could the U.S., or Israel, have prepared for attacks with no precedent? Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we look back on the attacks of 9/11, the country's evolving response, and how we began to lose the thread. To what extent did the media's decision not to air footage of the attacks turn 9/11 into an abstraction? Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we begin by considering the significance of Israel's destruction of Hezbollah's tunnels in southern Lebanon before moving on to the dismantling of Anna Wintour's John Galliano Met Gala. When a public figure makes an anti-Semitic remark, who is supposed to reach out to whom, and how? Give a listen. Stop online threats before they become real-world attacks. Visit ironwall.com/COMMENTARY and request a free Risk Assessment to see exactly how exposed your executives are. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Given the bad polls, close polls, prediction markets, and double Dan Sullivans, perhaps the midterms are a jump ball. We also discuss Hakeem Jeffries's transformation from leader to follower. Give a listen. Stop online threats before they become real-world attacks. Visit ironwall.com/COMMENTARY and request a free Risk Assessment to see exactly how exposed your executives are. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Seth Moulton got wiped out by Ed Markey in last night's Democratic primary for Senate in Massachusetts. We discuss how Moulton, and other Democrats, have struggled to seem authentic amid their party's lurch to the left. And what does the DSA mean by "working class"? Give a listen. Stop online threats before they become real-world attacks. Visit ironwall.com/COMMENTARY and request a free Risk Assessment to see exactly how exposed your executives are. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we devote the podcast to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel's shameful suggestion that Jewish security and survival may have to be sacrificed for the good of humanity. Give a listen. Stop online threats before they become real-world attacks. Visit ironwall.com/COMMENTARY and request a free Risk Assessment to see exactly how exposed your executives are. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The economic war on Iran seems to be working, and the U.S. has resumed targeted strikes. Does this combination of tactics at last add up to a winning strategy? Plus, DEI at the University of California, Berkeley's law journal and anti-Semites on the attack. Give a listen. Stop online threats before they become real-world attacks. Visit ironwall.com/COMMENTARY and request a free Risk Assessment to see exactly how exposed your executives are. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's Friday, and we are here to discuss Trump's latest stunt with the renaming of Lake Ontario, the story of Natalie Harp, the ongoing controversy over the Lindsay Clancy murder trial and the modern popularity of transgressive ideas, and John recommends Coyote vs. Acme. Stop online threats before they become real-world attacks. Visit ironwall.com/COMMENTARY and request a free Risk Assessment to see exactly how exposed your executives are. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we are joined by our friends Eli Lake and Matt Continetti to discuss CIA Director John Ratcliffe's trip to Russia, the interconnectivity of Ukraine and Iran, and the American delusion regarding warfare. Plus, will Meta's massive settlement on child safety actually produce results, the growing controversy in democratic circles regarding leftist streamer Hasan Piker, and Matt recommends Free Creations of the Human Mind. Stop online threats before they become real-world attacks. Visit ironwall.com/COMMENTARY and request a free Risk Assessment to see exactly how exposed your executives are. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Commentary Hollywood Commentary columnist Rob Long joins us today to discuss the passing of the legendary Dolly Parton, her status as a consensus figure in American culture, and her amazing and storied life. Stop online threats before they become real-world attacks. Visit ironwall.com/COMMENTARY and request a free Risk Assessment to see exactly how exposed your executives are. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we discuss how American politicians are dealing with the hot button topic of data centers and how opposition to them is the latest manifestation of tech anxiety, as well as the increasingly larger part AI plays in our daily lives. Stop online threats before they become real-world attacks. Visit ironwall.com/COMMENTARY and request a free Risk Assessment to see exactly how exposed your executives are. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices