The Commentary Magazine Podcast Oil Shock, Missile Relief
20 snips
Mar 23, 2026 
Jonathan Schanzer, a foreign policy expert on Iran and Middle East security, weighs in on Iran's missile capabilities and chaotic leadership. He discusses whether internal uprisings can resume and how strikes shape perceptions. They debate Strait of Hormuz threats, media narratives, defense effectiveness, and possible U.S. options for protecting shipping.
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Iranian Protests Were Real But Devastated
- The January protests in Iran showed meaningful street mobilization but were brutally suppressed with tens of thousands killed.
- Schanzer warns the protest movement is a ‘black box’—it surprised observers before but suffered heavy losses and leadership depletion.
Negative Media Narrative Distorts Progress
- Media coverage emphasizes failures on multiple fronts to create a narrative that the U.S. and Israel are failing.
- Podhoretz and Abe argue outlets magnify Strait of Hormuz and missile defense incidents to undermine the campaign.
Israel Improved Ballistic Interception Tactics
- Israeli missile defenses have evolved to intercept some ballistic threats with short‑range interceptors, reducing reliance on costly long‑range systems.
- Schanzer notes Arrow 3 used to be primary but cheaper interceptors are now used for many engagements.