Summary of "Israel Batters Iran; Will Trump Join In?" – Commentary Magazine Podcast Release Date: June 16, 2025

Introduction

The episode, hosted by John Podhoretz, features Commentary Magazine's Executive Editor Abe Greenwald, Washington Commentary columnist Matthew Continetti, and Social Commentary columnist Christine Rosen. The primary focus revolves around Israel's aggressive military actions against Iran, the potential involvement of former President Donald Trump, and the broader geopolitical and domestic ramifications of these developments.

Israel's Decisive Strikes Against Iran

[01:15] John Podhoretz initiates the discussion by detailing Israel's intensified military campaign against Iran. He highlights Israel's strategic objective to dismantle Iran's nuclear capabilities and its offensive assets aimed at Israel. Recent actions include strikes on the Natanz nuclear facility and other ancillary sites, marking what Podhoretz describes as "possibly the single greatest military raid in world history."

Notable Quote:

"It's possible that this is the single greatest military raid in world history. It certainly is in the top 10 so far."
— John Podhoretz [05:50]

Amit Sehgal's Analysis on Israel's Military Success

[01:11] John Podhoretz shares insights from Amit Sehgal, an Israeli analyst, emphasizing the magnitude of Israel's achievements:

• Full Operational Control over Iranian airspace.
• Destruction of one-third of Iran's missile launchers, rendering a significant portion of Iran's missile arsenal ineffective.
• Targeting the command center of the Quds Force, crippling Iran's external military operations.

Notable Quote:

"Israel's already struck the facility at Natanz and various ancillary facilities... it is simply a mind boggling achievement."
— John Podhoretz [05:30]

Strategic Implications and US Involvement

The conversation shifts to the potential role of the United States in this conflict. Abe Greenwald raises critical questions:

1. What will America do?
2. What else does Israel have up its sleeve?

He notes that while Israel focuses on military targets, the broader implications for Iran's political and military leadership remain uncertain.

Matthew Continetti adds that Iranian missile launches are predictable, allowing Israel ample time to activate defenses and shelters.

Notable Quote:

"Israel can also the, the, the Iranian launches are telegraphed pretty far in advance as far as Israel is concerned."
— Matthew Continetti [06:06]

John Podhoretz invokes Occam's Razor to argue that Israel's actions are the result of long-term planning dating back to 2005-2006, rather than complex false-flag operations.

Notable Quote:

"We are talking about details, things, objects, intelligence, assets, all of that that have been cultivated and developed and hardened and all of that for how many presidents is that?"
— John Podhoretz [10:12]

Trump's Position and Potential Actions

The hosts discuss former President Donald Trump's stance on the conflict. Christine Rosen points out that Trump signaled his willingness to support Israel more robustly, possibly leading to political backlash.

Notable Quote:

"And then he's going to face certainly some political blowback for that."
— Christine Rosen [09:28]

John Podhoretz criticizes Trump's inconsistent messages, noting his initial support followed by reluctance to fully engage.

Notable Quote:

"You know, Trump's problem here is this is sort of his Frankenstein's monster, this reluctance to get involved."
— Matthew Continetti [32:40]

Long-Term Consequences for Iran and Regional Stability

Christine Rosen and John Podhoretz discuss the potential collapse of the Iranian regime, comparing it to historical precedents like Libya and Syria. They debate the aftermath of such a collapse, weighing the risks of chaos against the elimination of one of the world's most nefarious actors.

Notable Quote:

"The elimination of that regime would have this one positive consequence, which is..."
— John Podhoretz [21:33]

Domestic Turmoil and Rising Political Violence

The conversation pivots to alarming domestic events, including the attempted assassination of two Minnesota Democratic lawmakers by an individual impersonating law enforcement. The hosts express concern over a resurgence of political violence and lawlessness.

Notable Quote:

"The assassinations are back. Efforts to kill people who have views that you don't like to make a statement."
— John Podhoretz [73:14]

Abe Greenwald highlights a series of violent incidents across the country, reflecting a deeply divided and volatile political climate.

Protests and the Erosion of Peaceful Assembly

The hosts critique recent nationwide protests branded as the "No Kings" rally, questioning the accuracy of claims regarding their size and impact. They argue that modern protests have devolved from peaceful assemblies to confrontational and sometimes violent encounters with law enforcement.

Notable Quote:

"Someone was shot in Utah at one of the rallies in Utah. And then apparently someone drove a vehicle into a crowd in Culpepper, Virginia."
— Abe Greenwald [76:07]

Christine Rosen emphasizes the importance of peaceful protest, reminding listeners of the constitutional right to assemble without resorting to violence.

Conclusion: The Future of US Foreign Policy and Domestic Stability

The episode concludes with a reflection on the shifting landscape of US foreign policy, particularly in relation to Israel and Iran. John Podhoretz advocates for a clear and assertive stance against regimes like Iran's, while Christine Rosen underscores the need for clarity in America's global leadership role.

Notable Quote:

"If you love America as we do, kind of love Israel because we love America for the... ideas of freedom and the God-given rights of every individual."
— John Podhoretz [61:34]

The hosts collectively stress the urgency of decisive action to prevent Iran from attaining nuclear capabilities and the importance of maintaining domestic stability amidst rising political violence.

Key Takeaways

• Israel's Military Prowess: Israel has executed significant strikes against Iran's nuclear and military infrastructure, asserting dominance over Iranian airspace and missile capabilities.

• US Role Uncertainty: Former President Trump’s stance oscillates between support for Israel and reluctance to deepen US involvement, raising questions about America's future role in the conflict.

• Potential Regime Change: The possibility of Iran's regime collapsing poses both opportunities and risks for regional stability, echoing historical precedents.

• Domestic Challenges: Renewed political violence and confrontational protests highlight a deeply divided American society, with concerns over the erosion of peaceful political discourse.

• Future Implications: The episode underscores the need for clear and assertive US foreign policy to combat nuclear proliferation and support allies, while also addressing internal societal tensions.

This detailed summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the podcast episode, providing a comprehensive overview for those who have not listened to the original content.