The Commentary Magazine Podcast: "Trump's Restrainers, Restraining Israel" – Detailed Summary

Introduction

In the April 17, 2025 episode of The Commentary Magazine Podcast, host John Podhoretz engages in an in-depth conversation with Executive Editor Abe Greenwald. The discussion delves into the May issue of Commentary Magazine, recent geopolitical developments involving former President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Iran, as well as internal dynamics within the Trump administration affecting U.S. foreign policy.

Highlights from the May Issue of Commentary Magazine

John and Abe begin by highlighting the substantial content in the May issue of Commentary Magazine. Notable articles include:

1. Jonathan Foreman’s "The Untold Story of How Israel Failed on October 7th" (01:50)

   • Foreman examines the intelligence and operational shortcomings of Israel leading up to and during events on October 7th.
   • Quote: “His piece provides a comprehensive account of the intelligence, logistical, conceptual, and military failures of Israel to respond adequately to the attack.”

2. Seth Mandel’s "The Antisemites in the Conservative Manosphere" (03:20)

   • Mandel explores the rise of anti-Semitic sentiments within conservative online communities, tracing back to narratives questioning Winston Churchill’s legacy and extending to critiques of Israel’s actions.
   • Quote: “This piece details a disturbing trend where anti-Semitic tropes are being weaponized under the guise of conservative discourse.”

3. Hannah Myers’ "Trans Criminals: The Problem We Refused to Define" (04:08)

   • Myers addresses the lack of data collection on crimes committed by individuals identifying as transgender, highlighting issues within both incarcerated and non-incarcerated populations.
   • Quote: “The refusal to collate data due to ideological biases obscures significant criminal trends that demand attention.”

4. Joseph Epstein on Marcel Proust’s Jewish Identity (05:30)

   • Epstein discusses whether Marcel Proust should be considered among great Jewish writers, given Proust’s partial Jewish heritage and the Jewish characteristics of his protagonist, Swan.

5. Leo Lebovitz on Chuck Schumer’s Book "Antisemitism in America" (06:45)

   • Lebovitz offers a critical analysis of Schumer’s examination of anti-Semitism in the U.S., praising its incisive critique.

6. Jim Meggs on the Court’s Ruling Against Greenpeace (07:50)

   • Meggs analyzes the legal implications of the court's decision against Greenpeace’s pipeline disruption efforts, discussing potential future consequences.

7. Matt Continetti on Mike Johnson as Speaker of the House (08:30)

   • Continetti evaluates Speaker Johnson’s unexpected effectiveness, attributing it to strategic acumen and adaptability.

8. Jonathan Schanzer on Israel’s Foreign Policy (09:50)

   • Schanzer critiques Israel’s staunch support of terror-linked groups and questions the global deference shown towards Israel.

Main Discussion: Trump's Restrainers, Restraining Israel

The core of the podcast centers on a New York Times report revealing leaked details about former President Donald Trump’s discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding potential military action against Iran’s nuclear program.

1. Leaked Military Plans Against Iran (09:21)

   • Details:

     • Israeli officials initially proposed a combined commando raid and bombing campaign against Iran’s underground nuclear sites, seeking U.S. assistance.
     • U.S. Central Command began mobilizing military assets, including aircraft carriers and B-2 bombers, in anticipation of supporting the operation.
     • Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence, presented an intelligence assessment suggesting that increased U.S. military presence could escalate into a broader conflict.

   • Notable Quote:

     • John Podhoretz [09:21]: “The leak, this series of leaks deserves prosecution for revealing the battle plans of an allied government.”

2. Internal Administration Conflicts (18:03)

   • Abe Greenwald speculates on the motives behind the leak, suggesting it could be a tactical move to pressure Iran or an ideological strike against Israel within the administration.
   • Quote:
     • Abe Greenwald [10:23]: “If that is the reason behind this, it's even worse than the story itself and the fact that there was a leak.”

3. The "Restrainers" within the Trump Administration (22:03)

   • Podhoretz introduces the concept of "restrainers," members of the Trump administration who advocate for minimizing U.S. military involvement abroad.

   • Discussion Points:

     • Contradiction between traditional Republican hawkishness and the restrainers’ inclination towards isolationism.
     • Lack of Democratic counter-response to the restrainers' influence, leaving the debate within the right.

   • Notable Quote:

     • John Podhoretz [24:43]: “What does Bibi take away from that? Does he take away that Israel has to go it alone and has to really decide whether it can do it or is the implicit message, you are not to do this.”

4. Roles of Key Figures (26:54)

   • Tulsi Gabbard is criticized for her stance against aggressive action against Iran, labeled as ideologically driven and unfit for her intelligence role.

   • J.D. Vance and other right-wing influencers are accused of attempting to restrain Israel’s military options through internal politics.

   • Notable Quote:

     • John Podhoretz [26:54]: “...Tulsi Gabbard is using her position to frame everything in an ideological case and then accuse others who have a geopolitical set of ideas.”

5. Impact on Israel and Regional Stability (29:04)

   • The leak’s potential to undermine Israeli strategic initiatives and strain U.S.-Israel relations.

   • Concerns that reduced American support could force Israel to bear the full brunt of military action against Iran.

   • Notable Quote:

     • Abe Greenwald [29:04]: “This is very damaging. And if I were Bibi right now, I would be deeply concerned about who was doing what in the Trump administration.”

6. Comparisons to Past Administrations (33:32)

   • Podhoretz contrasts the Trump administration's foreign policy approach with the Biden administration’s, citing Biden’s Afghanistan withdrawal as a catalyst for global perception shifts.

   • Emphasizes Trump’s consistent hawkish reputation and his administration’s willingness to engage aggressively on multiple fronts.

   • Notable Quote:

     • John Podhoretz [33:32]: “Trump is trying to end a war in Ukraine by giving the bad guy what he wants, and he is trying to essentially recapitulate to Iran and create some new form of the Iran nuclear deal.”

Harvard’s Tax-Exempt Status Controversy

A significant portion of the conversation shifts to the potential revocation of Harvard University’s tax-exempt status due to alleged violations related to supporting Jewish students.

1. Background (43:05)

   • Commentary faced IRS scrutiny for publishing a speech by Joe Lieberman endorsing John McCain, violating 501(c)(3) regulations against political endorsements.
   • Harvard is now under similar threat for allegedly violating Title VI, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin.

2. Legal and Strategic Responses (44:16)

   • Abe Greenwald outlines how Commentary countered the IRS accusations by flooding them with extensive documentation to demonstrate negligible political endorsement.

   • Highlights the selective enforcement and weaponization of IRS regulations against conservative institutions.

   • Notable Quote:

     • Abe Greenwald [44:16]: “Viewpoint discrimination, speech... there is no constitutional protection for nonprofit status.”

3. Implications for Harvard and Nonprofits (52:23)

   • Discussion on the broader impact of the administration’s actions on nonprofit organizations, emphasizing the lack of constitutional safeguards for tax-exempt status.

   • Concerns about the administration’s motives and potential mishandling of the Harvard case.

   • Notable Quote:

     • John Podhoretz [52:33]: “Harvard is in big trouble... because unlike viewpoint discrimination, speech, all of that, there is no constitutional protection for nonprofit status.”

Conclusion: Insights and Implications

John and Abe conclude the episode by reflecting on the internal and external challenges facing U.S. foreign policy, particularly regarding Israel and Iran. They express concern over the lack of bipartisan response to restrictive policies within the Republican Party and the broader implications for national and international security. The discussion underscores the tension between traditional hawkish Republican values and the emerging isolationist tendencies within certain factions of the party.

Notable Quotes with Attributions and Timestamps

• John Podhoretz [09:21]: “The leak, this series of leaks deserves prosecution for revealing the battle plans of an allied government.”

• Abe Greenwald [10:23]: “If that is the reason behind this, it's even worse than the story itself and the fact that there was a leak.”

• John Podhoretz [24:43]: “What does Bibi take away from that? Does he take away that Israel has to go it alone and has to really decide whether it can do it or is the implicit message, you are not to do this.”

• Abe Greenwald [26:54]: “This is very damaging. And if I were Bibi right now, I would be deeply concerned about who was doing what in the Trump administration.”

• John Podhoretz [33:32]: “Trump is trying to end a war in Ukraine by giving the bad guy what he wants, and he is trying to essentially recapitulate to Iran and create some new form of the Iran nuclear deal.”

• Abe Greenwald [44:16]: “Viewpoint discrimination, speech... there is no constitutional protection for nonprofit status.”

• John Podhoretz [52:33]: “Harvard is in big trouble... because unlike viewpoint discrimination, speech, all of that, there is no constitutional protection for nonprofit status.”

Final Thoughts

This episode of The Commentary Magazine Podcast offers a critical examination of the current geopolitical landscape, emphasizing the internal struggles within the Trump administration and their impact on U.S. foreign policy, especially regarding Israel and Iran. The discussions also shed light on the challenges faced by conservative institutions like Commentary Magazine in maintaining their nonprofit status amidst political pressures. Through robust analysis and pointed commentary, John Podhoretz and Abe Greenwald provide listeners with a comprehensive understanding of these complex issues.

Note: All timestamps refer to the position in the podcast where the quoted statements occur.