The Take

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How Israeli spy veterans are shaping US big tech Aug 29, 2025

Show notes

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 produced by Noor Wazwaz and Diana Ferrero with Sarí el-Khalili, Melanie Marich, Farhan Rafid, Kisaa Zehra, and our guest host, Natasha Del Toro. It was edited by Amy Walters.

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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Why are US warships going to Venezuela? Aug 28, 2025

Show notes

Thousands of US troops are on warships heading to Venezuela’s coast. President Donald Trump says the move is part of his administration’s fight against drug cartels that the US has labelled terrorist organizations. In response, Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro has ordered troops to the border and called on citizens to mobilize to defend the country. Is Trump’s aggressive move about fighting drugs or a signal of broader US intervention?

In this episode:

Alessandro Rampietti (@rampietti), Al Jazeera Reporter

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Tamara Khandaker, Noor Wazwaz, Kylene Kiang, Diana Ferrero and Tracie Hunte with Manny Panaretos, Melanie Marich, Farhan Rafid, and Kisaa Zehra, and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Amy Walters 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.

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Why is Trump going after the Smithsonian museums? Aug 27, 2025

Show notes

The Smithsonian museums are now the focus of a review ordered by US President Donald Trump targeting exhibits on slavery, immigration and LGBTQ history. The White House told The Take taxpayer money should not fund displays that divide Americans and the Smithsonian Institution should present history in an accurate, factual way. Can Trump reshape the largest museum complex in the world?

In this episode:

Samuel J. Redman, Professor of History & Director of Public History Program, University of Massachusetts Amherst

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Diana Ferrero, Noor Wazwaz, and Tracie Hunte, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Melanie Marich, Kisaa Zehra, Farhan Rafid, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Amy Walters 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.

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Famine has been declared in Gaza. Will anything change? Aug 26, 2025

Show notes

Famine has been declared in Gaza City and surrounding areas, with more than half a million Palestinians facing “catastrophic conditions,” according to a UN-backed monitor. As Israel advances its plan to seize Gaza City, what scars will famine leave on Palestinians for generations to come?

In this episode:

Dr. Mimi Syed (@Memers1st), Emergency Medical Doctor

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Amy Walters, Sonia Bhagat, Tracie Hunte, Julia Muldavin, and Marcos Bartolomé, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Melanie Marich, Kisaa Zehra, Farhan Rafid, and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Amy Walters 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.

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How did Lula da Silva cut Amazon deforestation in half? Aug 25, 2025

Show notes

When Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva took office more than a year ago, he pledged to end deforestation in the Amazon by 2030. He’s on the right track: Last year, the forest shrank 50% less than in 2022. But the clock is ticking. Will Lula manage to keep his word? The world’s largest tropical rainforest is at stake.

This is a story from the archives. It originally aired June 23, 2024. None of the dates, titles or other references from that time have been changed.

In this episode:

Constance Malleret (@Constancemlrt), Journalist

Episode credits:

This episode was originally produced by Marcos Bartolomé, Chloe K. Li, and Manahil Naveed with Mohamed Zain Shafi Khan, and our host Malika Bilal.

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. Aya Elmileik 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.

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Brief: UN monitor declares Gaza famine as Israel advances in Gaza city Aug 24, 2025

Show notes

This week: Israel continued to attack north Gaza. A UN-backed agency declared famine in Gaza as Israeli soldiers pushed further into Gaza City. It is day 688 of the war in Gaza, where at least 62,622 Palestinians have been killed.

In this episode:

Hani Mahmoud, Al Jazeera Correspondent
Taeq Abu Azzoum, (@TareqAzzom) Al Jazeera Correspondent
Ibrahim al Khalili, (@hema.alkhalili) 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: Why hasn't Pakistan recovered from its catastrophic floods? Aug 23, 2025

Show notes

Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on February 22, 2023. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed.

Pakistan is still reeling from 2022’s deadly floods, which put a third of the country underwater. Though the country has barely contributed to climate change, its people are still paying the price. Six months on from the worst of the devastation, people across the country are still displaced and they’re facing knock-on effects of the floods on their health. The international community pledged $9 billion to aid Pakistan in rebuilding at the beginning of this year, but experts on the ground say it will be of little use if it doesn’t arrive soon. So is the international community doing enough to help?

In this episode:

Zuha Siddiqui (@SiddiquiZuha), Journalist
Taimur Khan Jhagra (@Jhagra), Former Health & Finance Minister, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Ed Taylor, Emergency Response Coordinator, Doctors Without Borders

Episode credits:

This episode was updated by Tamara Khandaker. The original production team was Ashish Malhotra, Amy Walters, Chloe K. Li, and our guest host, Halla Mohieddeen.

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 are Sudanese refugees returning home despite the civil war? Aug 22, 2025

Show notes

Nearly two and a half years into Sudan’s war, millions remain displaced. Yet some refugees are making the difficult choice to return home, despite the ongoing conflict. UNHCR’s Mamadou Dian Balde explains why Sudanese families are going back, the challenges awaiting them, and the urgent support they need from the international community.

In this episode:

Mamadou Dian Balde (@mamadou_dbalde), UNHCR’s Regional Director for East and Horn of Africa, and Great Lakes

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Tracie Hunte, Sonia Bhagat, and Julia Muldavin, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Melanie Marich, Kissa Zehra, Farhan Saleh Rafid, and our host, Malika Bilal. 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

What’s behind Israel’s ground push into Gaza City? Aug 21, 2025

Show notes

Israel’s ground push into Gaza City comes as Hamas accepts a ceasefire deal brokered by Egypt and Qatar. Palestinians are being forced south in the Gaza Strip, where tent camps are rising and aid remains scarce. What does this move reveal about Israel’s broader plan?

In this episode:

Jeremy Scahill (@jeremyscahill), Investigative Journalist and Co-Founder, Drop Site News

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Tamara Khandaker, Sonia Bhagat and Marcos Bartolomé, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Melanie Marich, Farhan Rafid, and guest host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Kylene Kiang, Amy Walters 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

Why did Trump deploy the National Guard in Washington, DC? Aug 20, 2025

Show notes

Hundreds of National Guard troops and federal agents are now on the streets of Washington, DC. US President Donald Trump says it’s to fight “out of control” crime, even as city data shows crime has been falling. What impact does this unprecedented federal takeover have on DC’s residents and democracy?

In this episode:

Keya Chaterjee (@freedcproject), Executive Director, Free DC

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Chloe K. Li, Sonia Bhagat, and Julia Muldavin with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Melanie Marich, Marcos Bartolomé, Amy Walters and host Malika Bilal. 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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