The Commentary Magazine Podcast – Episode Summary

Podcast: The Commentary Magazine Podcast
Episode Title: Our Theme Song Is Wrong Today
Date: October 9, 2025
Host: John Podhoretz
Panelists: Abe Greenwald, Christine Rosen, Jonathan Schanzer
Main Theme: The Israeli–Hamas war’s resolution, the terms and implications of the ceasefire deal, repercussions for Israel, Gaza, and regional geopolitics, and the broader cultural and political aftermath.

Episode Overview

On this episode, the panel discusses the landmark ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas that is set to end the two-year war in Gaza. With 20 Israeli hostages about to be released and Israel's major war aims apparently achieved, the hosts analyze the triumph for Israel, implications for regional actors, prospects for peace, and what comes next. The discussion also weaves in the roles of global powers, U.S. policy, shifting alliances, and internal cultural fallout in the U.S. and Israel, concluding with reflections on norm-shifting and long-term challenges.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Nature and Impact of the Ceasefire Deal

• A Landmark Victory for Israel

  • Israel is seen as achieving all its main goals: dismantling Hamas as a governing force in Gaza and securing the return of live hostages. (03:59)
  • Unique because, historically, such deals often compelled Israel to make unfavorable compromises.
  • John P. (host): "This is almost entirely the opposite. ...a landmark deal not only because it will end a two year war ... but because of the way the war is ending and who wins." (01:43)

• Donald Trump’s Negotiating Role

  • Trump leveraged the aftermath of the September 9 attacks and coordinated with Qatar, Turkey, Egypt, possibly Indonesia, to pressure Hamas and its backers.
  • Trump’s approach prioritized Israeli strength rather than calling for Israeli concessions.
  • Jonathan S.: "Trump leveraged that strength. And I got to say, I give him full credit for it. He did not flinch at the idea of having a Strong Israel..." (29:46)

• Release of Hostages and Remaining Questions

  • 20 live hostages returning; some in poor condition, their images may not be broadcast by Israeli government discretion. (07:08)
  • Complex logistics regarding the recovery of bodies of deceased hostages.
  • 250-300 Palestinian prisoners to be released, including controversial figures like Marwan Barghouti, prompting internal Israeli debate.

• Who Governs Gaza Next?

  • Hamas as an armed governing entity in Gaza effectively finished; remaining Hamas leadership is isolated (some in Qatar, Turkey).
  • The future political structure in Gaza remains undefined, with questions about potential external headquarters for exiled Hamas operatives.

• Israel’s Military Position and Buffer

  • IDF to remain deployed inside Gaza; Israel retains operational corridors and security buffer.
  • Jonathan S.: "Israel doesn't have to leave Gaza... they still effectively control the Gaza Strip..." (27:51)

2. Regional and Global Reactions

• Hamas, the Palestinians & Regional Actors

  • Potential for Hamas or other Palestinian organizations to claim symbolic victory, especially if Barghouti is released and re-emerges as a leader.
  • The fate of the Palestinian Authority and discussions around Palestinian statehood may be reignited.

• Houthis, Iran, and Other Proxies

  • Hostilities from the Houthis (Yemeni rebels) could abate, linked to the cessation of fighting in Gaza, but not entirely ruled out.
  • Iran, while supportive of the ceasefire, is expected to continue seeking influence and buildup via proxies.

• International Alliances and U.S. Policy

  • Strategic shift: Saudi Arabia and Indonesia may look to normalize ties with Israel or cement alliances with the U.S. following Qatar’s security deal.
  • The Abraham Accords framework could expand, with Gulf states seeking U.S. security guarantees.
  • Jonathan S.: "I think you're gonna see a lot of countries want to get in line for what just happened here." (57:15)

3. Political Implications, Risks, and Future Tasks

• Israel’s Domestic Political Fallout

  • Debate over releasing controversial Palestinian prisoners could destabilize Netanyahu’s government.
  • Tension between needing to secure gains now and uncertainties about future U.S. support, especially post-2028.

• U.S. Political Landscape

  • Uncertainty about future American administrations (references to hypothetical Presidents like AOC or Michelle Obama) underscores Israel’s need for self-sufficiency.
  • Jonathan S.: "If you have President AOC or Michelle Obama... there's no way that Israel can continue to rely on American weapons..." (39:56)

• Deterrence and Changing Narratives

  • Restoration of Israeli deterrence is framed as critical for both security and global perception.
  • Triumph over Hamas and other threats is expected to weaken anti-Israel activism domestically and internationally.
  • The “Overton window” has shifted regarding attitudes toward Israel, but the hosts debate how enduring this is.

4. Cultural and Domestic Aftershocks

• Antisemitism and Delegitimization Movements

  • Hosts discuss the explosion of anti-Israel sentiment and antisemitism on campus and among American and European elites, and how military victory could deflate these movements.
  • John P.: "Nothing will kill off the movement to Delegitimize Israel and the Jews, like Israel standing proud and Jews standing proud with Israel after a victory." (31:28)

• Need for a Positive Israel Narrative

  • The battle is not only military but also about reshaping how Israel is seen—as an anchor of Western values and freedoms rather than a “problem.”
  • Christine R.: "A message that says to the entire world, the world needs Israel, not Israel is the world's problem." (47:25)

• Addressing the U.S. “Omni-cause” Protest Culture

  • Concerns that the underlying radical left activism will morph to new causes, regardless of the war’s outcome.
  • Christine R.: “I think that movement will just morph into... another way to channel that violence because there is a sort of philosophical undertone...” (36:59)
  • Jonathan S.: "They need to rebrand Zionism in this country... There needs to be a positive side of it, not just a punitive side." (39:56)

• Procedural Change at Home

  • Calls for the Trump administration to prosecute foreign-funded radicalism domestically in a way that is lasting and legally sound, not easily reversed by future administrations.
  • Christine R.: "That needs to be done in a way that’s procedurally sound. And when it’s not, it can be easily undone..." (62:41)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the Unprecedented Nature of the Deal

• John Podhoretz:

  "This is a triumphant deal …a gigantic Israeli triumph. And the knockoff effects are huge. If you are on the West Bank thinking about running an insurrection against Israel …think again." (27:54)

On Israeli Self-Reliance

• Jonathan Schanzer:

  "The Israelis are still going to have to figure out ways to be self-reliant. That Sparta mentality that Bibi was absolutely right to describe, whether his people liked it or not, is actually inconsequential. It's where they are." (50:59)

On the Threat of Barghouti’s Release

• Jonathan Schanzer:

  "His release will be seen as sort of a Nelson Mandela moment, that he is the next leader of the Palestinian Authority... It's going to be really interesting." (05:45)

On Trump’s Mediation and Global Ramifications

• Jonathan Schanzer:

  "He used American leverage here... When you keep asking the Israelis to make compromises and to weaken themselves willingly as they fight their enemy, you’re not going to get peace… Trump leveraged that strength." (29:46)

On Cultural and Ideological Aftershocks

• Christine Rosen:

  "You do have a much more nihilistic left now that is motivated by violence, that actually doesn't care who wins… They will find another way to channel that violence because there is a sort of philosophical undertone to what they've been doing and saying." (36:59)

• John Podhoretz:

  "Nothing has killed off the revolution inside America like the defeat of the revolutionaries in various forms and fora and places. And nothing will kill off the movement to Delegitimize Israel and the Jews, like Israel standing proud..." (31:28)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Starting analysis of the deal and its “landmark” status: 01:43–03:59
• Jonathan Schanzer on deal details and Barghouti: 03:59–07:08
• Discussion on hostages, Gaza governance, and Hamas’s fate: 07:08–11:41
• Abe on Houthis and other fronts: 11:41–14:35
• Speculation on Trump’s upcoming visit, messaging: 14:35–17:15
• John on “threading the needle” of war and Trump-era negotiations: 18:48–27:51
• On Israel's continued presence in Gaza and structural shifts: 27:51–29:46
• Strategic consequences and buffer zones: 29:46–31:09
• Long-term leverage, deterrence, and delegitimization fights: 31:28–36:59
• Culture war dimensions postwar: 36:59–41:43
• Foreign influence, PR, and the Qatar/Saudi dimension: 41:43–43:14
• UN challenges, the “Sparta” concept, and regional integration: 48:34–53:27
• US alliances, the Abraham Accords, and new Middle East alignments: 53:27–57:54
• Concluding reflections on reversibility of cultural and political trends: 57:54–62:41
• Final thoughts and book recommendation: 63:43–End

Conclusion

The episode frames the ceasefire as a decisive, albeit complicated, victory for Israel—with Trump’s forceful diplomacy as a turning point, the near elimination of Hamas as a governing force, continued IDF control in Gaza, and potential new regional alignments. The conversation weaves in deep skepticism about lingering threats, regional actors, and the durability of new positive narratives, with forthright debate about the challenge ahead for Israel’s security, U.S.–Israel relations, and the pro- and anti-Israel cultural climate in the West. The pod ends on a note of surprise optimism—from a typically skeptical panel—while also urging vigilance and preparation for future uncertainties.

Recommendation of the Week

John Podhoretz’s Pick:

"A Peculiar Treasure" by Edna Ferber – “...it’s one of the great American memoirs… a remarkable portrait of this country that made everything possible for so many people.” (63:43–End)