Commentary (magazine)

Commentary (magazine)
Commentary Inc. · Public domain · source
Title	Commentary
Previous editor	Norman Podhoretz
Category	Politics, Culture, Jewish affairs
Frequency	Monthly
Publisher	American Jewish Committee (1945–2006), Commentary, Inc. (2006–present)
Firstdate	November 1945
Country	United States
Language	English
Website	https://www.commentary.org/

Commentary (magazine). Launched in November 1945 by the American Jewish Committee, *Commentary* has been a defining voice in American intellectual life for over seven decades. Initially conceived as a journal of significant thought on Jewish affairs and American democracy, it evolved from a liberal publication into a leading organ of the neoconservative movement. Its pages have featured seminal essays by towering intellectuals, shaping debates on foreign policy, sociology, and the moral foundations of Western civilization.

History and founding

*Commentary* was founded in the immediate aftermath of World War II by the American Jewish Committee, with the sociologist Elliot E. Cohen serving as its first editor. The magazine's creation was part of a broader effort to combat antisemitism and promote democratic values in the wake of the Holocaust. Under Cohen's leadership, it quickly established itself as a serious forum for analysis of American society, Soviet totalitarianism, and the establishment of the state of Israel. Following Cohen's death in 1959, the editorship passed to the young literary critic Norman Podhoretz, who had previously contributed to publications like Partisan Review. Podhoretz's tenure, which lasted until 1995, marked the magazine's most dramatic transformation, steering it from the anti-communist liberalism of the Cold War era toward a more assertive, conservative stance that came to be known as neoconservatism.

Political and intellectual orientation

Throughout its history, *Commentary*'s political orientation has undergone a profound shift. In its early decades, it was aligned with the anti-Stalinist left, publishing critics of Marxism like George Orwell and supporting the civil rights movement. Under Podhoretz, the magazine became increasingly critical of the New Left and the counterculture of the 1960s, viewing them as threats to social order and a strong national defense. By the 1970s and 1980s, it was a flagship publication for neoconservatism, advocating for a muscular United States foreign policy against the Soviet Union, unwavering support for Israel, and a critique of multiculturalism and affirmative action. This ideology heavily influenced the administrations of Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush, particularly in framing the War on Terror.

Notable contributors and editors

The magazine's influence is rooted in the caliber of its contributors and editors. Early issues featured work by intellectuals such as Hannah Arendt, Lionel Trilling, and Saul Bellow. Under Podhoretz, the roster expanded to include pivotal neoconservative thinkers like Irving Kristol, often called the "godfather" of the movement, his wife Gertrude Himmelfarb, and strategists like Jeane Kirkpatrick. Regular contributors have also included historians Bernard Lewis and Victor Davis Hanson, novelists Norman Mailer and Cynthia Ozick, and political commentators like David Brooks and Bret Stephens. Podhoretz's wife, the writer Midge Decter, was also a significant editorial force, and their son, John Podhoretz, later served as editor.

Influence and cultural impact

*Commentary* has exerted an outsized influence on American political discourse and policy, particularly in the realm of foreign affairs. Its essays provided the intellectual architecture for Cold War containment strategy and later for advocating intervention in places like Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iraq. The magazine served as a crucial incubator for neoconservative thought, with many of its writers assuming high-level positions in the United States Department of Defense, the United States Department of State, and think tanks like the American Enterprise Institute. Its cultural criticism, often defending the Western canon against perceived attacks from postmodern academia, shaped debates within the broader culture wars.

Controversies and criticism

The magazine's sharp political turn and advocacy have made it a frequent subject of controversy. Its unwavering support for the Vietnam War and later the Iraq War drew intense criticism from liberals and anti-war activists. Podhoretz's 1982 essay "J'Accuse," which criticized American Jews for not supporting the policies of Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin, caused a major rift within the Jewish community. The magazine has also been criticized for publishing articles on topics like race and intelligence and for its adversarial stance toward liberalism and progressivism, which critics argue has contributed to political polarization. Despite this, it remains a steadfast and influential voice on the American right.

Category:American political magazines Category:Neoconservatism Category:Magazines published in New York City Category:Publications established in 1945