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The Take

Al Jazeera

The Take is a daily interview-driven international news podcast hosted by award-winning journalist Malika Bilal. Each episode focuses on conversations with journalists and people directly impacted by the news of the day, offering our listeners the context necessary to understand what's in the headlines. With millions of global listens, it's clear the conversations we're having on The Take are worth hearing. And critics think so too. The show has won the Online Journalism Awards, the Signal Awards, Lovie Awards, and Anthem Awards, among others.

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Al Jazeera

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The Take is a daily interview-driven international news podcast hosted by award-winning journalist Malika Bilal. Each episode focuses on conversations with journalists and people directly impacted by the news of the day, offering our listeners the context necessary to understand what's in the headlines. With millions of global listens, it's clear the conversations we're having on The Take are worth hearing. And critics think so too. The show has won the Online Journalism Awards, the Signal Awards, Lovie Awards, and Anthem Awards, among others.

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English


Episodes
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Will Europe boycott Israel?

9/23/2025
From Madrid to Brussels, protesters are turning sports, culture, and trade into flashpoints over Israel’s war on Gaza. Europe’s leaders are proposing sanctions and recognition. Is this momentum strong enough to shift power? Or are governments offering small steps to manage unrest while avoiding deeper change? In this episode: Episode credits: This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé and Haleema Shah with Manny Panaretos, Chloe K. Li, Melanie Marich, Kisaa Zehra, Farhan Rafid, and our host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz and Kylene Kiang. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Duration:00:23:58

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What is the future of US dissent in the post-Charlie Kirk era?

9/22/2025
A wave of firings has followed since the killing of controversial right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. From TV hosts and journalists to professors, critics who spoke honestly about his record have faced consequences, even as Kirk is elevated as a martyr by the right. What does this backlash reveal about who gets to speak freely in the US today? In this episode: Manisha Krishnan (@manishakrishnan), Senior Culture Editor, WIRED Episode credits: This episode was produced by Tamara Khandaker, Tracie Hunte, and Sarí el-Khalili, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Chloe K. Li, Melanie Marich, Farhan Rafid, Kisaa Zehra, and our guest host, Natasha Del Toro. It was edited by Kylene Kiang. The Take production team is Marcos Bartolomé, Sonia Bhagat, Spencer Cline, Sarí el-Khalili, Diana Ferrero, Tracie Hunte, Tamara Khandaker, Kylene Kiang, Phillip Lanos, Chloe K. Li, Melanie Marich, Catherine Nouhan, Amy Walters, and Noor Wazwaz. Our editorial interns are Farhan Rafid, and Kisaa Zehra. Our host is Malika Bilal. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhemm. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Duration:00:23:57

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Brief: US veto on Gaza at UN, Palestinians take refuge in dumps

9/21/2025
This week: Displaced Palestinians are forced to live on garbage dumps. The US again vetoed a un resolution to end the war on Gaza. An update on Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya. Today is Sunday, September 21. It is day 716 of the war in Gaza, where more than 65,208 Palestinians have been killed. In this episode: @Hind_Gaza@baysontheroad@stratfordch Episode credits: This episode was produced and mixed by David Enders. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik and Munera AlDosari is our engagement producer. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera's head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Duration:00:05:53

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Another Take: How Antifa hysteria took over the US

9/20/2025
In this episode: Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on September 30, 2020. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed. During the 2020 United States elections, President Donald Trump has focused much of his campaign rhetoric on mask-wearing, window-breaking Antifa as a new American enemy. But as long as fascism has existed, so too has the anti-fascist movement. So where did this misconception of Antifa as a shadowy cabal of leftists come from, and what is Antifa in reality? Episode credits: This episode was updated by Haleema Shah. The original production team was Negin Owliaei and Alexandra Locke with Abigail Ony Nwaohuocha, Dina Kesbeh, Priyanka Tilve, Amy Walters, Ney Alvarez, Stacey Samuel, Graelyn Brashear, and Malika Bilal. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik and Adam Abou-Gad is our engagement producer. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera's head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Duration:00:24:47

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‘Take it down’ – the fight for the White House Peace Vigil

9/19/2025
For 44 years, 24 hours a day, a symbol of dissent has stood across from the White House – often considered the longest act of political protest in US history. The White House Peace Vigil greets visitors from all over the world, calling for nuclear disarmament and an end to war. Then it caught the eye of US President Donald Trump. In this episode: @Marissa_Jae Episode credits: This episode was produced by Noor Wazwaz, Sarí el-Khalili, Haleema Shah with Chloe K. Li, Kisaa Zehra, Melanie Marich, Farhan Rafid, and our host, Natasha Del Toro. It was edited by Kylene Kiang. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Duration:00:23:00

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How China is using AI in the classroom?

9/18/2025
Artificial intelligence education now starts at the age of six in China. The Ministry of Education has rolled out new guidelines to teach AI at every grade level. For President Xi Jinping, AI is a priority. Will the toddlers of today be the tech titans of the future? In this episode: @Katmyu Episode credits: This episode was produced by Amy Walters, Sonia Bhagat, Sarí el-Khalili, and Tamara Khandaker, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Melanie Marich, Kisaa Zehra, Farhan Rafid, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Kylene Kiang. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Duration:00:22:43

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Israel razes Gaza City as UN commission declares genocide

9/17/2025
Israel launched a major ground offensive in Gaza City, where around 900,000 people are living. It follows weeks of bombardment, destroying residential buildings and forcing Palestinians to flee the city for what they fear may be the final time. As a United Nations inquiry adds to the findings that Israel’s war on Gaza is a genocide, what will regional powers do now? In this episode: @YoumnaElSayed17 Episode credits: This episode was produced by Tracie Hunte, Sarí el-Khalili, Haleema Shah, and Noor Wazwaz, with Melanie Marich, Kylene Kiang, Chloe K. Li, Kisaa Zehra, Farhan Rafid, and our guest host, Natasha Del Toro. It was edited by Alexandra Locke. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Duration:00:21:56

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Has France become ungovernable?

9/16/2025
France is facing a test for its latest prime minister. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu must steer the country through political chaos, debt, and strikes. Will he be the one to keep the government standing and guide France toward stability, or will the crisis deepen? In this episode: Episode credits: This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé, Sarí el-Khalili and Tamara Khandaker with Kylene Kiang, Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Melanie Marich, Kisaa Zehra, Farhan Rafid, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Alexandra Locke and Noor Wazwaz. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad Al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Duration:00:22:07

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After bombing Qatar, why did Israel strike Yemen?

9/15/2025
Israel has intensified its strikes in Yemen, targeting the Houthi leadership and plunging capital Sanaa into deadly chaos. The attacks have killed dozens, sparked a climate of fear, led to mass detentions - including of United Nations staff - and threatened critical humanitarian aid. So, how is the escalation being felt by Yemeni civilians? In this episode: Episode credits: This episode was produced by Diana Ferrero, Tracie Hunte, Sarí el-Khalili, and Tamara Khandaker with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Chloe K. Li, Melanie Marich, Kisaa Zehra, Farhan Rafid, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz and Kylene Kiang. The Take production team is Marcos Bartolomé, Sonia Bhagat, Spencer Cline, Sarí el-Khalili, Diana Ferrero, Tracie Hunte, Tamara Khandaker, Kylene Kiang, Phillip Lanos, Chloe K. Li, Melanie Marich, Catherine Nouhan, Amy Walters, and Noor Wazwaz. Our editorial interns are Farhan Rafid, and Kisaa Zehra. Our host is Malika Bilal. Our engagement producers are Adam Abou-Gad and Vienna Maglio. Andrew Greiner is lead of audience engagement. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Duration:00:21:10

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Brief: Qatar hosting summit, Palestinians returning to Gaza City

9/14/2025
This week: displaced Palestinians are returning to Gaza City. Fallout continues after Israel attacked Qatar. A flotilla of ships bound for Gaza was attacked twice. It is day 709 of the war in Gaza where more than 64,803 Palestinians have been killed. In this episode: @hema.alkhalili@alihashem_tv@alexbaird@nida_journo Episode credits: This episode was produced and mixed by David Enders. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik and Munera AlDosari is our engagement producer. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera's head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Duration:00:05:35

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Another Take: Deadly pager attacks leave Lebanon in shock

9/13/2025
Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on September 18, 2024. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed. Lebanon is reeling after two days of coordinated attacks attributed to Israel that detonated thousands of pagers belonging to Hezbollah. The simultaneous explosions – in indiscriminate locations across the country – left deaths and thousands of injuries in their wake. Does this unprecedented attack signal a new reality? In this episode: @JustinSalhani Episode credits: This episode was updated by Sarí el-Khalili. The original production team was Ashish Malhotra, Marcos Bartolomé, Khaled Soltan, Chloe K. Li, Phillip Lanos, Hagir Saleh, Shraddha Joshi, Duha Mosaad, Cole van Miltenburg, and our host Malika Bilal. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our engagement producers are Adam Abou-Gad and Vienna Maglio. Aya Elmileik is lead of audience engagement. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer, and Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Duration:00:17:12

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What Charlie Kirk’s death says about political division in the US

9/11/2025
Shot while answering a question about mass shootings, outspoken gun-rights advocate and conservative activist Charlie Kirk was killed on a university campus. What does this moment signal for escalating political violence and the state of US politics? In this episode: @MatthewBoedy Episode credits: This episode was produced by Amy Walters, Sarí el-Khalili, Diana Ferrero, Tamara Khandaker, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Melanie Marich, Chloe K. Li, Farhan Rafid, Kisaa Zehra, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz and Kylene Kiang. Special thanks to Negin Owliaei. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Duration:00:22:52

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Why is Gen Z protesting in Nepal?

9/11/2025
Curfews, soldiers in the streets, and a prime minister’s resignation. After a social media blackout and years of corruption claims, Nepal erupted. Security forces fired live rounds, killing at least 19. With demands for mass resignations and new elections, what’s next for Nepal? In this episode: Episode credits: This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé, Amy Walters, Sarí El-Khalili, Diana Ferrero, with Manny Panaretos, Chloe K. Li, Farhan Rafid, Kisaa Zehra, and guest host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Kylene Kiang and Noor Wazwaz. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Joe Plourde mixed this episode. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Duration:00:21:11

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Why did Israel strike Doha?

9/9/2025
Missiles hit Doha as Israel targeted Hamas leaders amid ceasefire efforts. Qatar called it a breach of sovereignty. With global condemnation mounting, what does this unprecedented attack mean for negotiations, and for the people in Gaza? In this episode: @osamabinjavaid Episode credits: This episode was produced by Tamara Khandaker, Sarí el-Khalili, and Tracie Hunte, with Amy Walters, Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Melalnie Marich and Kisaa Zehra and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Joe Plourde mixed this episode. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Duration:00:18:57

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Can the UN stand up to Donald Trump on Palestine?

9/9/2025
As leaders arrive in New York for the United Nations General Assembly, key Palestinian voices are missing. The US has refused visas for 80 Palestinian officials, including President Mahmoud Abbas. If the UN cannot guarantee open access, what does that signal about its neutrality and about Palestine’s path to recognition? In this episode: Episode credits: This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé and Tamara Khandaker with Manny Panaretos, Melanie Marich, Kisaa Zehra, Farhan Rafid, and guest host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Kylene Kiang, Noor Wazwaz, and Sarí el-Khalili. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Duration:00:20:15

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Can Haiti’s last hospital survive armed groups?

9/8/2025
In Haiti’s capital, doctors work under fire as armed groups close in. With most hospitals shut, Tabarre is one of the last still open. Patients bleed, burn, and beg for care while doctors risk all to treat them. Can Haiti’s wounded – and those who heal them – find a way to survive? In this episode: @johnholman100 Episode credits: This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé, with Khaled Soltan, Noor Wazwaz, Sarí el-Khalili, Manny Panaretos, Mariana Navarrete, Kisaa Zehra and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Kylene Kiang. The Take production team is Marcos Bartolomé, Sonia Bhagat, Spencer Cline, Sarí el-Khalili, Diana Ferrero, Tracie Hunte, Tamara Khandaker, Kylene Kiang, Phillip Lanos, Chloe K. Li, Melanie Marich, Catherine Nouhan, Amy Walters, and Noor Wazwaz. Our editorial interns are Farhan Rafid and Kisaa Zehra. Our host is Malika Bilal. Our engagement producers are Adam Abou-Gad and Vienna Maglio. Andrew Greiner is lead of audience engagement. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Duration:00:20:25

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Brief: Israel leveling Gaza City, Hind Rajab film wins award

9/7/2025
This week: Israel is demolishing parts of Gaza City. Israel has destroyed 90% of Gaza's schools. A film about hind rajab is honored at the Venice Film Festival. It is day 702 of the war in Gaza. Where more than 64,368 Palestinians have been killed. In this episode: @PattyCulhane@hema.alkhalili Episode credits: This episode was produced and mixed by David Enders. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik and Munera AlDosari is our engagement producer. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera's head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Duration:00:05:56

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Another Take: The Story of Hind Rajab

9/6/2025
Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on Saturday, Feb 18, 2025. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed. Six-year-old Hind Rajab spent three hours on the phone with Palestinian emergency services, crying for help, stranded in a car under Israeli fire in Gaza. Her relatives were killed while trying to escape. Twelve days later, she was found dead. What happened after Hind’s phone line went dark? In this episode: @FarsakhNebal@MhannaHesham Episode credits: This episode was updated by Amy Walters. The original production team was: Amy Walters, Fahrinisa Campana, Miranda Lin, and Sarí el-Khalili, with our host Malika Bilal. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our engagement producers are Adam Abou-Gad and Vienna Maglio. Aya Elmileik is lead of audience engagement. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer, and Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Duration:00:24:39

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After the earthquake: what lies ahead for Afghanistan?

9/5/2025
A devastating earthquake has deepened Afghanistan's humanitarian crisis. With entire villages collapsed and rescuers struggling to recover people trapped under rubble, the Taliban government has called for international aid. Will the UN and the international humanitarian community step in to help? In this episode: @ObaidullaBaheer Episode credits: This episode was produced by Diana Ferrero, Tamara Khandaker, and Amy Walters, with Spencer Cline, Melanie Marich, Farhan Rafid, Kisaa Zehra, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Duration:00:24:24

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Will Lebanon disarm Hezbollah?

9/4/2025
Hezbollah is under pressure to lay down its arms, as part of a US-backed plan. Lebanon’s government has asked the army to draft a proposal by the end of the year. Facing continued Israeli strikes and the aftermath of the assassination of much of its leadership, including Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah refuses to disarm, calling the effort a trap. With no trust and no guarantees, where will Lebanon go from here? In this episode: @Harbpeace Episode credits: This episode was produced by Sarí el-Khalili, Tamara Khandaker, and Tracie Hunte, with Manny Panaretos, Phillip Lanos, Melanie Marich, Farhan Rafid, Kisaa Zehra, and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Duration:00:22:07