The Take

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Another Take: How Israeli spy veterans are shaping US big tech Jan 17, 2026

Show notes

Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on August 29, 2025. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed.

Unit 8200, Israel’s elite cyber-intelligence division, has long been compared to the US National Security Agency. Its veterans are now embedded in US tech companies, shaping how the world’s data is managed, and making deals worth billions. What does it mean for privacy and security?

In this episode:

Murtaza Hussain (@mazmhussain) Journalist, Drop Site News

Episode credits:

This episode was updated by Tamara Khandaker and Sarí el-Khalili. The original production team was Noor Wazwaz, Diana Ferrero, Sarí el-Khalili, Melanie Marich, Farhan Rafid, Kisaa Zehra, Amy Walters, and our guest host, Natasha Del Toro.

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our engagement producers are Adam Abou-Gad and Vienna Maglio. Andrew Greiner is lead of audience engagement. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer, and Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio.

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Remembering 2022: Iran’s Gen Z army and hashtag wars Jan 16, 2026

Show notes

Back in 2022, protests in Iran were bolder than at any time since the 1979 revolution — and that time, it was teenage girls leading the way. Gen Z used their TikTok and Instagram skills to draw the world’s attention to their demand for freedom. But with almost 300 hashtags under #MahsaAmini, their movement was also being co‑opted for others’ purposes. How could anyone tell which was which?

This is a story from the archives. It originally aired on October 19, 2022. None of the dates, titles or other references from that time has been changed.

In this episode:

Holly Dagres (@HDagres), The Atlantic Council Nonresident Senior Fellow & MENASource and IranSource Editor
Marc Owen Jones (@MarcOwenJones), Assistant Professor of Middle East Studies, Hamad bin Khalifa University

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Amy Walters with Negin Owliaei, Chloe K. Li, Alexandra Locke, Ruby Zaman, Ashish Malhotra and our guest host, Halla Moheiddeen.

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Tim St. Clair 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.

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Why is Venezuela ‘uninvestable’ for Big Oil? Jan 15, 2026

Show notes

US President Donald Trump says removing President Nicolas Maduro is about reclaiming Venezuela’s oil. But as Washington pushes for access, major oil companies are hesitating. Why is Venezuela being labeled “uninvestable,” and what does that skepticism reveal about power, instability and the future of Venezuela’s vast oil reserves?

In this episode:

Anneke Ball (@annekeball), Journalist

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé and Melanie Marich, with Tamara Khandaker, and our host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Ney Alvarez 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.

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Iran, Trump, and the deadliest crackdown on protests yet Jan 13, 2026

Show notes

Iran’s protests started with economic demands. Now, the Iranian government says it’s ready for war. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has told Iranian protesters that “help is on the way,” as Washington discusses military options. Could tension spread far beyond Iran?

In this episode:

Negar Mortazavi (@NegarMortazavi), Center for International Policy Senior Fellow and Host of The Iran Podcast

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Sarí el-Khalili, Chloe K. Li, and Melanie Marich with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Tamara Khandaker, Noor Wazwaz and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Ney Alvarez.

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.

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What Aleppo’s fighting reveals about Syria’s fragile peace Jan 12, 2026

Show notes

A ceasefire in Aleppo has halted days of deadly fighting, after clashes between Syrian forces and Kurdish fighters. With civilians displaced and trust deeply shaken, questions are growing about whether Syria’s post-war transition can survive long term.

In this episode:

Bernard Smith (@JazeeraBernard), Correspondent, Al Jazeera

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Noor Wazwaz and Melanie Marich, with Tamara Khandaker, David Enders and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Kylene Kiang and Ney Alvarez.

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.

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Inside ICE’s deadly ‘surge’ in Minneapolis Jan 12, 2026

Show notes

A deadly ICE operation in Minneapolis has sparked protests and political conflict. US officials say a federal immigration agent acted in self-defense, while local leaders, citing video evidence, reject that narrative and demand accountability. With investigations ongoing and trust fractured between federal and local authorities, what does this moment reveal about who controls oversight when federal force turns lethal?

In this episode:

Jon Collins (@JonSCollins), Senior Reporter, Minnesota Public Radio

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Sarí el-Khalili and Chloe K. Li, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Tamara Khandaker and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Kylene Kiang.

The Take production team is Marcos Bartolomé, Sonia Bhagat, Sarí el-Khalili, Spencer Cline, Tamara Khandaker, Kylene Kiang, Phillip Lanos, Chloe K. Li, Melanie Marich, and Noor Wazwaz. 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

Brief: Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, Syrian and Israeli negotiators meet in Paris Jan 11, 2026

Show notes

This week: 102 days into a cease fire, Israel has killed at least 439 Palestinians in Gaza. Weather continued to threaten the lives of displaced Palestinians in Gaza. Israel issued demolition orders for a playground in the occupied West Bank. Israel has killed more than 71,409 Palestinians in Gaza since October 7th, 2023.

In this episode:

Hind Khoudary, (@hindkhoudary) Al Jazeera Correspondent
Tareq Abu Azzoum, (@abuoazzum) Al Jazeera Correspondent
Resul Serdar, (@ResulSerdarAtas) Al Jazeera Correspondent
Nida Ibrahim, (@nidaibrahim) Al Jazeera Correspondent

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 Andrew Greiner and Munera AlDosari is our engagement producer. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera's head of audio.

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Another Take: Why is drought-hit Brazil saying ‘yes’ to AI data centers? Jan 10, 2026

Show notes

Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on July 7, 2025. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed.

When AI data centers come to town, companies promise jobs and opportunity. But what about all the water needed to keep data centers running? In one drought-stricken community in Brazil, residents must weigh the choices. How do communities balance the economic boost and environmental cost of hosting water-reliant data centers?

In this episode:

Laís Martins (‪@laismartins.com‬), Investigative Journalist

Episode credits:

This episode was updated by Tamara Khandaker. The original production team was Marcos Bartolomé, Haleema Shah, Remas Alhawari, Manny Panaretos, Mariana Navarrete, Kylene Kiang, and our guest host, Kevin Hirten.

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As Iranians protest, why is the US threatening intervention? Jan 08, 2026

Show notes

Iranians have taken to the streets in nationwide protests against the country's economic crisis. During a police crackdown on protesters, dozens of people have been killed and more have been arrested. US President Donald Trump has warned Iran that if the brutality continues, Iran would be “hit very hard by the United States.” Why is the US threatening intervention?

In this episode:

Narges Bajoghli (@nargesbajoghli), Associate Professor of Middle East Studies, Johns Hopkins University

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Chloe K. Li and Melanie Marich, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Tamara Khandaker, 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:

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‘Peace’ on paper, but catastrophe continues on the ground in Gaza Jan 08, 2026

Show notes

In the three months since the US unveiled a 20-point Gaza plan, more than 400 Palestinians have been killed and thousands injured in near-daily Israeli attacks. Gaza has been fragmented, with Israel controlling over half its territory. Is this "peace plan" truly about peace?

In this episode:

Mohammed Mhawish (@mohamhawish), Journalist and Writer

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Chloe K. Li, Noor Wazwaz, and Tamara Khandaker, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Fatima Shafiq, and our host, Kevin Hirten. 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

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