The Commentary Magazine Podcast: "A Perilous Week Ahead" – May 8, 2025

Hosted by Jon Podhoretz, Editor of Commentary Magazine

1. Introduction and Jewish American Heritage Month

Jon Podhoretz opens the episode by highlighting that May is Jewish American Heritage Month. He expresses appreciation for America's recognition of Jewish contributions and discusses a concert at the Library of Congress featuring the Al Andalus Ensemble. However, Podhoretz criticizes the ensemble's suitability for the event due to its historical and cultural connotations.

[00:41] Jon Podhoretz: “This is why Doge is a good thing and not a bad thing. And get them out. Somehow this slipped through. Not right.”

Christine Rosen and other panelists engage in a brief discussion about the ensemble, reinforcing the sentiment that the group's association with Al Andalus, a term Laden with negative implications among certain groups, is inappropriate for the celebration.

2. Pulitzer Prize Controversy

The conversation swiftly transitions to the Pulitzer Prize awarded to the New Yorker's Mossab Abu Toha for his essays on Gaza. Podhoretz expresses skepticism about the significance of the award.

[04:44] Jon Podhoretz: “Pulitzer Prize. Meaningless Pulitzer Prize.”

Emily Damari, an Israeli soldier who survived captivity by Hamas, vehemently criticizes the decision to honor Toha. She draws a stark comparison between her traumatic experiences and Toha's writings, accusing him of denying atrocities and erasing victimhood.

[06:32] Emily Damari: “Mossab Abu Toha is not a courageous writer. He is the modern day equivalent of a Holocaust denier.”

Podhoretz supports Damari's stance by dissecting excerpts from Toha's essays, questioning the validity and impact of his narratives. He juxtaposes Toha's purported experiences with those of fellow captives, stressing the discrepancy in portraying Hamas's actions.

[10:00] Jon Podhoretz: “She has a lot in common. Except the difference is that Hamas fired offensively on Israel with no. With no provocation and not in response to anything.”

3. Columbia University Protests and Campus Activism

The podcast shifts focus to recent unrest at Columbia University, where activists stormed the library, causing disruptions and property damage. Emily Damari criticizes the lenient handling of these activists by law enforcement.

[12:15] Emily Damari: “If they are so truthful and brave in their cause, why do they hide their faces?”

Christine Rosen adds to the discussion by questioning the effectiveness of university administrations in managing such crises.

[14:02] Christine Rosen: “They absolutely just botched it yesterday.”

Podhoretz anticipates an increase in anti-Israel and pro-Hamas activism in the coming weeks, citing recent marches and protests that blend unrelated causes under similar banners.

[45:41] Jon Podhoretz: “There was a march to Columbia by pro Palestinian group last night up Broadway... Justice for Palestine and Stop Cop City.”

4. Influence of Gulf Countries in U.S. Institutions

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the financial and ideological influence of Gulf nations, particularly Qatar, on U.S. educational institutions. Christine Rosen highlights concerns about sovereign wealth funds infiltrating higher education and K-12 systems, advocating for stringent oversight and transparent boundaries.

[28:13] Christine Rosen: “They are Buying off weavers of power in the United States and no one seems to care. And that has to stop.”

Emily Damari echoes these sentiments, emphasizing the need for bipartisan efforts to scrutinize and regulate foreign investments that compromise American institutions.

[27:09] Emily Damari: “Money and its ideological capture of the administrations of these universities is huge.”

Jonathan Schanzer acknowledges the lag in addressing these issues, noting that awareness is growing but actionable measures are still pending.

[29:14] Jonathan Schanzer: “The Qatar question is so new to... it's just getting oriented to where it is on a map.”

5. Geopolitical Updates: Iran Nuclear Deal, Houthi Deal, Gaza, and Israel's Actions

The latter part of the episode delves deeply into current geopolitical tensions involving Iran, the Houthis, Gaza, and Israel. Podhoretz outlines several impending developments:

• Negotiations with Iran over a nuclear deal.
• Israel's potential ground invasion of Gaza to end the war and secure the release of hostages.
• Recent attacks by the Houthis against American ships, despite apparent negotiations.

[19:23] Jon Podhoretz: “What does the future hold for business?...”

Christine Rosen analyzes the implications of the Houthi deal brokered by the Trump administration, expressing concerns over incomplete agreements that fail to address missile attacks on Israel.

[30:35] Christine Rosen: “These are high priority questions... what exactly was agreed upon here?”

Jon Podhoretz connects the dots between the Houthi ceasefire and upcoming negotiations with Iran, emphasizing the intricate balance required to navigate these international waters.

[33:42] Jon Podhoretz: “...Senators Cotton and Graham are to have some kind of a statement message...”

The panel discusses the potential outcomes of the Iran negotiations, with Rosen cautioning against any interim agreements that fall short of completely dismantling Iran's nuclear capabilities.

[50:28] Christine Rosen: “If you give a number, it means they're still enriching, which means the nuclear program.”

Jonathan Schanzer voices skepticism about the feasibility of achieving a beneficial deal with Iran, suggesting that any agreement might not adequately address the core issues.

[53:26] Jonathan Schanzer: “I'm frankly, like, disturbed that we're talking about the prospect, the possibility of a good deal. I don't think there's a good deal to be had.”

Jon Podhoretz speculates on possible language used in upcoming announcements, warning listeners to be vigilant about terms that might indicate a compromised deal.

[55:37] Jon Podhoretz: “Number. Bad. Interim. Bad. Bad. And. And a nuclear weapon. Bad.”

Rosen and Schanzer continue to dissect the implications of potential deals and the roles various political figures play in these negotiations, highlighting concerns about executive power and bipartisan consistency.

[60:35] Jon Podhoretz: “...Wyckoff is the negotiator. And Trump is not a detail guy.”

[66:19] Christine Rosen: “He has… he cannot go as deep as they want. So the frustration here is that you probably end up sparking a bigger war with Iran.”

6. Closing Remarks

In wrapping up, Podhoretz reiterates the critical nature of the upcoming week, emphasizing the potential for increased activism and the high stakes of ongoing geopolitical negotiations.

[70:41] Jon Podhoretz: “Thank you for working with us today... Keep the candle burning.”

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

1. Jon Podhoretz on the Al Andalus Ensemble:

   [00:40] “It's a deeply important term to radical Islamists who point out that the fall of Al Andalus was one of the great tragedies in world history.”

2. Emily Damari on the Pulitzer Prize:

   [06:32] “Mossab Abu Toha is not a courageous writer. He is the modern day equivalent of a Holocaust denier.”

3. Christine Rosen on foreign influence in education:

   [28:13] “They are Buying off weavers of power in the United States and no one seems to care. And that has to stop.”

4. Jon Podhoretz on potential language in Iran deal:

   [55:37] “Number. Bad. Interim. Bad. Bad. And. And a nuclear weapon. Bad.”

5. Christine Rosen on the implications of an Iranian nuclear deal:

   [50:28] “If you give a number, it means they're still enriching, which means the nuclear program.”

Conclusion

In "A Perilous Week Ahead," The Commentary Magazine Podcast navigates a complex landscape of cultural events, journalistic accolades, campus unrest, and high-stakes international diplomacy. The panelists provide a critical lens on each topic, emphasizing the need for vigilance and proactive measures in the face of evolving challenges. With the geopolitical theater heating up, particularly around Iran's nuclear ambitions and regional conflicts, the discussions underscore the intricate balance between diplomacy, national security, and ideological integrity.

For further insights and detailed analyses, listeners are encouraged to subscribe to Commentary Magazine and explore the full episode available at commentary.org.