The Take

Latest Episodes:

What does life look like for Gaza, two years into a genocide? Oct 08, 2025

Show notes

Gaza has faced relentless bombs and hunger for two years. Families struggle to live, children grow up in fear and hope feels distant. We speak to Al Jazeera correspondent Tareq Abu Azzoum to hear what life is really like in Gaza. How do people keep going when the world watches but does little to change the situation on the ground?

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In this episode:

Tareq Abu Azzoum, (@abuoazzum) Al Jazeera Correspondent in Gaza

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Melanie Marich, Noor Wazwaz, Tamara Khandaker, Marcos Bartolomé, and Tracie Hunte, with Phillip Lanos, Manny Panaretos, Amy Walters, Duha Mosaad, Farhan Rafid, and our guest 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.

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The objects Gaza’s women refused to leave behind Oct 08, 2025

Show notes

The smallest belongings can become the most powerful relics. As Palestinians are forced to flee again and again within the Gaza Strip and beyond, people carry personal items that hold deep meaning. In this episode, we explore the stories behind those objects in the midst of a war many are calling genocide.

In this episode:

Danya Issawi, Fashion News Writer, The Cut

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Tracie Hunte, Noor Wazwaz and Sarí el-Khalili, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Amy Walters, Duha Mosaad, Farhan Rafid, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Kylene Kiang.

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. This episode was mixed by Joe Plourde. 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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Two years after October 7: Israel’s reckoning Oct 07, 2025

Show notes

Two years after October 7, talks in Egypt could bring an end to the war in Gaza. Inside Israel, divisions are widening, isolation is deepening, and the cost of war is harder to ignore. What does this moment reveal about the country’s shifting sense of itself?

In this episode:

Mairav Zonszein (@mairavz), Senior Israel Analyst, International Crisis Group

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Tamara Khandaker, Sarí el-Khalili, Marcos Bartoloméz and Melanie Marich, with Phillip Lanos, Manny Panaretos, Duha Mosaad, Farhan Rafid, Amy Walters and our guest 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.

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With Gaza in ruins, will US media name the crime? Oct 06, 2025

Show notes

Despite a UN inquiry and multiple human rights organizations finding that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, Western news outlets are still reluctant to use the term. After nearly two years of bombardment and at least 65,000 Palestinians dead, will they change their tune on Israel?

In this episode:

Assal Rad, Fellow, Arab Center Washington DC

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Haleema Shah, Sarí el-Khalili, and Chloe K. Li, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Amy Walters, Kisaa Zehra, Farhan Rafid, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Kylene Kiang.

The Take production team is Marcos Bartolomé, Sonia Bhagat, Spencer Cline, Sarí el-Khalili, Tracie Hunte, Tamara Khandaker, Kylene Kiang, Phillip Lanos, Chloe K. Li, Melanie Marich, Catherine Nouhan, Haleema Shah, 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

Brief: Israeli attacks continue as ceasefire talks start again Oct 05, 2025

Show notes

This week: Hamas responded positively to Donald Trump's ceasefire proposal as both sides said there were still details that needed to be worked out. Israel detained hundreds of activists aboard boats attempting to deliver aid to Gaza. It is day 730 of the war in Gaza, where more than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed.

In this episode:

Hani Mahmoud, Al Jazeera Correspondent
Rosiland Jordan, (@RosJordanAJE) Al Jazeera Correspondent
Mohammed Jamjoom, (@MIJamjoom) 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 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.

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Another Take: Two hurricanes in two weeks – life after Milton and Helene Oct 04, 2025

Show notes

Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on October 14, 2024. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed.

It’s a strange experience for journalist Natasha Del Toro to be on the other side of the mic, sharing her firsthand account of living through back-to-back hurricanes. Families like hers in the state of Florida are facing power outages and damaged homes while trying to rebuild emotionally, all while hurricane season continues.

In this episode:

Natasha Del Toro (@ndeltoro), Journalist

Episode credits:

This episode was updated by Haleema Shah. The original production team was Tamara Khandaker, Ashish Malhatora, and Sonia Bhagat, with Phillip Lanos, 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.

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Why did the US government shut down? Oct 03, 2025

Show notes

The US federal government is closed for business. Democrats and Republicans in Congress failed to agree on a budget to keep the government open. But over two million federal workers who will go without a paycheck during negotiations have a new worry: will President Donald Trump use the shutdown to eliminate some of their jobs permanently?

In this episode:

Heidi Zhou-Castro (@HeidiZhouCastro), Al Jazeera English Correspondent

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Melanie Marich, Sarí el-Khalili, and Tracie Hunte with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Amy Walters, 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

The US military’s MAGA makeover Oct 02, 2025

Show notes

Pete Hegseth, a Fox News anchor turned Secretary of Defense, summoned US military leaders from around the world to present a new, “anti-woke” vision for the military – one without transgender troops, “fat” generals, or beards. Then, he closed with a prayer. It’s all part of a long-running mission to end diversity measures and push forward a Christian nationalist agenda in the US armed forces.

In this episode:

Ben Makuch, National Security Reporter

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Tamara Khandaker, Sarí el-Khalili, and Haleema Shah with Manny Panaretos, Duha Mosaad, Amy Walters, Farhan Rafid, and our guest 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

Why NYC’s Zohran Mamdani doesn’t fit racial boxes – and that’s the point Oct 01, 2025

Show notes

Zohran Mamdani, born in Uganda and raised in New York, is in the lead to become the city’s next mayor. His complex identity has sparked debate in the US. From questions about race to immigrant experiences, his story is challenging the way Americans think about identity, politics, and who gets power.

In this episode:

Aina J. Khan (@ainajkhan), Journalist

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Kisaa Zehra and Marcos Bartolomé with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Melanie Marich, Duha Mosaad, Tracie Hunte, Farhan Rafid, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Kylene Kiang and Sarí el-Khalil.

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

How a livestreamed femicide rocked Argentina Sep 30, 2025

Show notes

Femicides, corruption scandals, and economic pain are all shaking Argentina. President Javier Milei, facing protests and poor provincial election results, is hoping a Trump-backed bailout will also bail him out. With legislative elections coming up, how will Milei survive this compound crisis?

In this episode:

Natalie Alcoba (@nataliealcoba), Journalist

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé and Amy Walters, with Melanie Marich, Duha Mosaad, Farhan Rafid, and our guest host, Natasha Del Toro. It was edited by Kylene Kiang 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

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