The Commentary Magazine Podcast: Episode Summary – "The Iran Raid Was Awesome"

Release Date: June 26, 2025
Host: Jon Podhoretz
Guests: Dan Senor, Abe Greenwald, and an unnamed speaker

1. Introduction and Event Announcement (00:00 – 02:09)

Jon Podhoretz opens the episode by announcing the upcoming 2025 Commentary Roast, scheduled for October 19th in New York City. He introduces Cliff Asness, a prominent figure in American finance and economic thinking, who will be the subject of the roast, alongside notable personalities like Jonah Goldberg. The roast promises a mix of comedians and musicians, positioning it as a standout event of the year.

2. Overview of the Iran Raid and Initial Reactions (02:09 – 10:42)

The primary focus of the episode shifts to the recent Israeli raid on three Iranian nuclear sites. Jon Podhoretz and Dan Senor delve into the complexities surrounding the raid, discussing the initial claims and subsequent skepticism regarding its impact.

Dan Senor emphasizes the unanimous support across the Israeli political spectrum for the operation, highlighting its depth and strategic precision:

"If you were supportive of what Israel and the US did in Iran, then you have a real interest in making sure the policy was successful."
(Dan Senor, 06:28)

The discussion critiques media coverage, pointing out inconsistencies and the lack of high-confidence intelligence supporting the raid's success. Senor argues that the reliance on low-confidence sources undermines the credibility of the narrative:

"The idea that a couple of officials... was like, give me a break."
(Dan Senor, 08:10)

3. Assessing the Impact on Iran's Nuclear Program (10:42 – 29:05)

The hosts analyze the tangible effects of the raid on Iran's nuclear capabilities. Jon Podhoretz questions former President Trump's motivations and the strategic conversations that likely took place post-raid to assess its success:

"I don't see any upside to Trump declaring victory... it's like no, no, that's fine."
(Jon Podhoretz, 10:42)

An unnamed speaker adds that Israel achieved significant overmatch during the 12-Day War, crippling Iran’s missile capabilities and proxies:

"Iran is no longer in command of its skies... it lost about a third of its missile launchers."
(Unnamed Speaker, 13:23)

The conversation also addresses conflicting reports from sources like The Economist, critiquing the reliance on anonymous academics with potential biases:

"The ability of the Economist to hang such a whopping conclusion on one single interview with an anonymous academic is so revealing of where the media's head is."
(Unnamed Speaker, 42:20)

4. Trump and Netanyahu’s Alliance (29:05 – 53:01)

Jon Podhoretz defends the strong relationship between Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu, countering narratives that suggest animosity:

"Trump has now spoken about a foreign leader of an ally, Benjamin Netanyahu, as he has spoken about no other politician on the planet earth."
(Jon Podhoretz, 47:21)

Dan Senor further supports this alliance, noting that Trump has consistently backed Israel, contrasting it with previous administrations that may have exhibited public frustration without corresponding policy actions:

"He just conducted with Israel coordination, the most extraordinary military operation in Iran."
(Dan Senor, 53:01)

The hosts argue that any perceived frustration Trump has towards Netanyahu is irrelevant given the unwavering policy support.

5. Long-term Implications for Iran and Regional Stability (53:01 – 73:09)

The discussion transitions to the potential long-term effects of the raid on Iran’s internal politics. Jon Podhoretz cites an article from The Economist, which suggests that the raid has hardened Iran's leadership, eliminating moderates and empowering hardliners:

"The maximalist position has been strengthened, says an academic close to Iran's reformists."
(Jon Podhoretz, 37:27)

Dan Senor draws parallels to historical military interventions, such as the Kosovo War, suggesting that initial ambiguity in results can lead to significant regime changes over time:

"This raid could have long-term consequences which are ultimately for the good of the world and for the Iranian people."
(Unnamed Speaker, 35:46)

The hosts maintain that the raid effectively diminishes Iran's nuclear threat, bolstering deterrence against future proliferation efforts:

"The nuclear program... has largely been eliminated and will be prevented from re-establishing itself."
(Jon Podhoretz, 53:01)

6. New York City Mayoral Race and Its Implications (73:09 – 74:18)

Shifting focus to domestic politics, the podcast discusses the New York City mayoral race, particularly the rise of Zoran Mamdani. Jon Podhoretz and Abe Greenwald express concerns about Mamdani’s potential election, citing his controversial stance against Israel and anti-Semitic rhetoric:

"He's going to win. And then that will be used as a truncheon to say, you see, the Jews tried to get him and they couldn't."
(Jon Podhoretz, 69:20)

Abe Greenwald underscores the importance of countering anti-Semitic narratives and supporting the Jewish community in New York City:

"They know excellence in Israeli military and intelligence talent when they see it, and they praise it and they celebrate it."
(Abe Greenwald, 09:05)

The hosts discuss strategies to mitigate Mamdani’s influence, emphasizing the need for a unified response from the Jewish community and broader support networks.

7. Conclusion and Final Thoughts (74:18 – 75:35)

In concluding remarks, the hosts reiterate the significance of the Iran raid in neutralizing a major threat to global stability and the Jewish community. They express optimism that the operation marks a pivotal moment in diminishing Iran's nuclear ambitions:

"If you think it through, this is the end of the first quarter of the 21st century."
(Jon Podhoretz, 56:07)

Jon Podhoretz encourages listeners to recognize the strategic victories achieved and to remain vigilant against political narratives that may seek to undermine these accomplishments.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Dan Senor (06:28):

  "If you were supportive of what Israel and the US did in Iran, then you have a real interest in making sure the policy was successful."

• Jon Podhoretz (10:42):

  "I don't see any upside to Trump declaring victory... it's like no, no, that's fine."

• Unnamed Speaker (13:23):

  "Iran is no longer in command of its skies... it lost about a third of its missile launchers."

• Dan Senor (53:01):

  "He just conducted with Israel coordination, the most extraordinary military operation in Iran."

• Jon Podhoretz (56:07):

  "If you think it through, this is the end of the first quarter of the 21st century."

• Jon Podhoretz (69:20):

  "He's going to win. And then that will be used as a truncheon to say, you see, the Jews tried to get him and they couldn't."

Key Insights and Conclusions

• Strategic Success: The raid on Iran's nuclear facilities is portrayed as a decisive blow against a significant global threat, with the potential to reshape regional power dynamics.

• Media Critique: The hosts express skepticism towards mainstream media's handling of intelligence reports, advocating for critical evaluation of sources and confidence levels.

• Political Alliances: Strong defense of the Trump-Netanyahu alliance underscores the importance of unwavering support in achieving strategic military objectives.

• Internal Politics of Iran: The operation is believed to have hardened Iran's leadership, reducing the likelihood of nuclear proliferation and destabilizing the regime in the long term.

• Domestic Implications: Concerns over the New York City mayoral race reflect broader anxieties about anti-Semitism and the resilience of the Jewish community in influential urban centers.

• Call to Action: Emphasis on the need for the Jewish community to remain engaged and proactive in defending against anti-Semitic forces and political threats.

Note: The episode includes promotional segments for Brooklyn Bedding and the Pod Crash podcast, which have been excluded from this summary as per guidelines.