Podcast Summary: The Trump-Bibi-Qatar-Hamas Game
The Commentary Magazine Podcast
Release Date: May 13, 2025
Host: Jon Podhoretz
Guests: Abe Greenwald, Seth Mandel, Christine Rosen, Tevy Troy

Introduction

In this compelling episode of The Commentary Magazine Podcast, host Jon Podhoretz engages with esteemed colleagues Abe Greenwald, Seth Mandel, and Christine Rosen, alongside author Tevy Troy, to dissect the intricate dynamics between former President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu, Qatar, and Hamas. The discussion navigates through geopolitical tensions, domestic U.S. politics, and the controversial realm of pharmaceutical pricing, offering listeners a comprehensive analysis of current events shaping the American and Israeli landscapes.

1. Israel Hostage Crisis and President Trump's Involvement

The episode opens with a poignant discussion about the recent release of Adam Alexander, the last American hostage in Gaza, after his prolonged captivity of over 580 days. Podhoretz expresses both heartening and heartbreaking emotions surrounding Alexander's release, highlighting the physical and psychological toll endured.

Podhoretz [05:40]: "He told Bibi Netanyahu on the phone that he was going to be fine and back to where he was before."

However, Podhoretz raises concerns about the messaging from the Trump administration, particularly President Trump's congratulatory remarks to the Alexander family, which he perceives as emotionally misaligned with the gravity of the hostage situation.

Podhoretz [06:00]: "It's sort of like, it's not like he won the lottery or that he... We thank God that he's free."

This sentiment is echoed by colleagues, pointing to a potential undermining of Netanyahu's hardline stance against Hamas. Seth Mandel critically assesses the administration's strategy, suggesting manipulation of hostage families to influence public perception and policy.

Mandel [07:28]: "Feeding the hostages these types of talking points is a way to influence the fuller discourse."

Christine Rosen adds that the rhetoric needed to focus on the moral imperative to eliminate Hamas remains insufficient, fearing that concessions might embolden adversaries.

Rosen [09:50]: "Every time there should be the moral obligation to destroy Hamas... I've seen a lot less of that rhetoric."

2. Trump's Foreign Policy and Its Implications

The conversation delves into Trump's broader foreign policy maneuvers, especially his interactions with Qatar and Hamas. Podhoretz critiques Trump's approach as potentially weakening Israel's strategic position, suggesting that Trump's involvement may signal a loss of American support at a critical juncture.

Podhoretz [22:00]: "Once again, it's so weird that Trump wants to be involved... he really does not need to be involved anymore."

Abe Greenwald highlights Trump's tendency to seek easy solutions in foreign conflicts, drawing parallels with his handling of the Ukraine situation.

Greenwald [21:35]: "Trump clearly is prone to taking the easy way... pressure your friends."

Tevy Troy provides historical context, noting Netanyahu's complex relationships with past U.S. administrations and the evolving nature of U.S.-Israel alliances.

Troy [26:24]: "Bibi has a way of irritating American presidents because of his philosophy... you're making your case to the American people."

3. Domestic U.S. Politics: The Big Beautiful Bill and Tax Policies

Transitioning to domestic affairs, Podhoretz discusses the recent House vote on the "Big Beautiful Bill," highlighting contentious aspects like the temporary tax exemptions on tips and Social Security.

Podhoretz [43:15]: "...how the no taxes on tips and the no taxes on Social Security last exactly three years before they sunset."

He underscores the precarious position of Republicans in maintaining their majority, especially with debates over the state and local tax (SALT) deductions, which have significant implications for electoral seats in states like New York.

Podhoretz [46:28]: "This whole controversy over the state and local tax deduction salt... at least four seats in New York State that could easily flip."

4. Pharmaceutical Pricing and "In Praise of Big Pharma"

A focal point of the episode is Tevy Troy's article, "In Praise of Big Pharma," which critiques governmental interventions in pharmaceutical pricing. Troy defends the pharmaceutical industry's role in fostering innovation and warns against price controls that could stifle life-saving advancements.

Troy [46:28]: "The American pharmaceutical industry leads the world. They come up with more cures and more life-saving technologies than anyone else."

Christine Rosen and Seth Mandel explore the complexities of drug pricing, noting the disparity between U.S. and international prices and the potential consequences of Trump’s executive order aimed at capping prescription drug prices.

Rosen [51:05]: "Every time there should be the moral obligation to destroy Hamas... but it's attached to the discussion of the hostages."

Podhoretz challenges the effectiveness and implications of such price controls within the highly regulated U.S. healthcare market.

Podhoretz [48:11]: "The US pays more [for drugs] because the Western European countries impose price controls... if we try and impose price controls, also we will see limits on innovation."

5. Influence of Foreign Money on American Institutions

The podcast delves into the infiltration of foreign sovereign wealth funds into American universities and media, emphasizing the strategic investments by entities like Qatar to sway public opinion and political outcomes. Christine Rosen raises alarms about the cultural and political ramifications of such influences.

Rosen [36:05]: "These countries use their national wealth to influence what goes on in other countries... cultural consumption level."

Seth Mandel adds that Norway’s sovereign wealth fund’s recent divestment from a major Israeli energy company signals broader geopolitical shifts.

Mandel [36:17]: "Norway Sovereign Wealth Fund announced yesterday that they're pulling their investments out of one of Israel's large energy companies."

6. Cultural Impacts and Media Representation

Christine Rosen highlights the shifting narratives around Big Pharma in media, noting how previously left-leaning criticisms have now permeated conservative discourse, exacerbating public skepticism towards pharmaceutical companies.

Rosen [57:31]: "There is a thriving maha subculture... and this used to be the message of a very hostile left who wanted a lot more price controls on just about everything. Now it's right coded as well. So which is bad?"

Tevy Troy underscores the negative portrayal of pharmaceutical companies in popular media, fearing it deters young talent from entering the industry and hampers regulatory support.

Troy [57:44]: "If you are constantly demonizing these companies, you're going to have a situation where young people say, well, why do I join that industry?"

7. Concluding Insights

As the episode wraps up, Podhoretz reiterates the importance of understanding the multifaceted challenges posed by Trump's policies on both international and domestic fronts. He urges listeners to engage with Tevy Troy's "In Praise of Big Pharma" article to grasp the nuanced arguments surrounding pharmaceutical pricing and innovation.

Podhoretz [64:00]: "Please read it and learn from it and understand why what Trump is up to here is something that no conservative should be in even the remotely comfortable with."

The panel emphasizes the critical need for balanced discourse in shaping policies that affect both national security and public health, warning against simplistic narratives that may undermine long-term strategic interests.

Key Takeaways

• Hostage Crisis: The delicate balance between negotiating for hostages and maintaining military objectives against Hamas is causing rifts within Israeli and American communities.

• Trump's Foreign Policy: President Trump's involvement in Middle Eastern geopolitics may signal a shift in traditional U.S.-Israel relations, with potential long-term ramifications.

• Domestic Policy Conflicts: Republican strategies on taxation and pharmaceutical pricing are facing internal challenges, impacting their political stability and policy effectiveness.

• Pharmaceutical Pricing Debate: Efforts to cap drug prices may impede innovation and access to life-saving treatments, with significant implications for the U.S. healthcare system.

• Foreign Influence: Sovereign wealth funds and foreign investments are increasingly shaping American educational and media landscapes, raising concerns about national influence and sovereignty.

• Media Representation: The portrayal of Big Pharma in media has shifted from a left-leaning critique to a broader bipartisan skepticism, affecting public perception and policy support.

This episode of The Commentary Magazine Podcast offers a deep dive into the interconnectedness of international diplomacy, domestic politics, and economic policy, providing listeners with a nuanced understanding of the forces shaping contemporary American and Israeli landscapes.