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January 7, 2026

Norman Podhoretz was a writer, editor, and public intellectual whose career shaped American political and cultural debate for more than six decades. In 1960, Podhoretz was appointed editor‑in‑chief of Commentary magazine, a position he held for 35 years. His 1967 memoir Making It marked a turning point in his career and established him as a leading figure in what would later become known as neoconservatism. 

His work brought him into close collaboration with the Moynihan Center’s namesake, Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan. The two worked closely, particularly during Moynihan’s tenure at the United Nations. Podhoretz edited and published in Commentary articles by Moynihan that helped influence thinking on foreign policy and other topics. During this period, Podhoretz was among the key intellectual allies who helped shape and frame Moynihan’s arguments on foreign policy and American global leadership. 

Aside from his political influence, Podhoretz wrote more than a dozen books and numerous essays on culture, politics, and ideology, leaving an unforgettable impact. His legacy lives on through the debates he created, the movements he influenced, and the long-term impact of his ideas. While we are deeply saddened by his passing, Podhoretz's partnership with Moynihan reflects the kind of intellectual engagement we value at the Moynihan Center.

Learn more about Podhoretz: “The Essential Norman Podhretz” by Barton Swaim, The Wall Street Journal. 

Read his work: “The Longest Journey in the World,” The Free Press; Breaking Ranks, chapter 23, publisher Harper & Row.