The Commentary Magazine Podcast Boats Off Venezuela, Negotiators in Moscow
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Dec 2, 2025 The hosts dive into the conflicting reports surrounding a military strike on a drug-smuggling boat off Venezuela, debating the implications of media narratives. They analyze the legalities of such operations and the distinction between law enforcement and military action. Discussions then shift to negotiations involving Jared Kushner in Moscow, exploring the lack of clear incentives for Putin. The conversation highlights the geopolitical ramifications of these negotiations and the potential impact on U.S. foreign policy.
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Conflicting Reports On Venezuela Strike
- The New York Times published reporting that contradicted the Washington Post and CNN accounts about Pete Hegseth ordering a second, lethal strike on the Venezuelan boat.
- John Podhoretz argues this contradiction could make the Post/CNN story a major erroneous episode if proven false.
Narco‑Trafficking Isn't Automatically War
- The hosts stress legal distinctions between narcotics trafficking and terrorism, warning against conflating them to justify military action.
- Andy McCarthy argues federal law defines penalties and does not automatically make traffickers combatants subject to military force.
Domestic Drug Policy Versus Kinetic Action
- The panel highlights a societal contradiction: domestic liberalization of some drugs while using kinetic military force abroad against traffickers.
- John Podhoretz calls this cognitive dissonance puzzling given varying legal and cultural stances on drugs at home.
