The Take

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The US v the ICC: Why is Trump going after the court? May 21, 2025

Show notes

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is facing one of the deepest crises in its history. United States President Donald Trump sanctioned lead prosecutor Karim Khan earlier this year, grinding the court’s work to a crawl. Khan is now on leave as he faces a sexual misconduct investigation. How is the court functioning in his absence, and what does it mean for the future of international accountability?

In this episode:

Molly Quell (@MollyQuell), Associated Press journalist

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Amy Walters, Sonia Bhagat and Ashish Malhotra with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Mariana Navarrete, Khaled Soltan, Kisaa Zehra, Remas Alhawari, and our guest host, Natasha DelToro. 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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Why is Donald Trump fixated on South Africa? May 20, 2025

Show notes

The administration of US President Donald Trump has granted refugee status to 49 white Afrikaners, echoing a debunked conspiracy theory about “white genocide” in South Africa. The move comes after Trump cut aid to the nation and threatened to boycott meetings with its government. What’s behind Trump’s fixation on South Africa?

In this episode:

Joseph Dana (@ibnEzra), writer

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Haleema Shah and Chloe K. Li, with Phillip Lanos, Khaled Soltan, Spencer Cline, Marcos Bartolome, and our guest host, Manuel Rápalo. It was edited by Alexandra Locke.

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editor is Hisham Abu Salah. Alexandra Locke is the Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio.

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What does the end of US sanctions mean for Syrians? May 19, 2025

Show notes

What would the end of US sanctions mean for Syria? The handshake between US President Donald Trump and interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa was a dramatic shift, signaling the end of 46 years of US sanctions against Syria. Now, the door is opening to more investment and international aid, and Syrians poured into the streets in celebration. How did the deal come together, and what might it mean for Syria's future?

In this episode:

Imran Khan (@ajimran), Al Jazeera senior correspondent

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Noor Wazwaz, Sonia Bhagat, and Chloe K. Li with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Kisaa Zehra, Remas Alhawari, Mariana Navarrete, and our guest host, Natasha Del Toro. It was edited by Kylene Kiang.

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editor is Hisham Abu Salah. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio.

The Take production team is Marcos Bartolomé, Sonia Bhagat, Sarí el-Khalili, Tamara Khandaker, Phillip Lanos, Chloe K. Li, Ashish Malhotra, Haleema Shah, Khaled Soltan, Amy Walters, and Noor Wazwaz. Our editorial interns are Remas Alhawari, Kingwell Ma, Mariana Navarrete, and Kisaa Zehra. Our guest host is Natasha Del Toro. Our engagement producers are Adam Abou-Gad and Vienna Maglio. Aya Elmileik is lead of audience engagement.

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Brief: New Israeli offensive in Gaza kills more than 300 in three days May 18, 2025

Show notes

As Israel’s war on Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria continues, we're coming to you on Sundays with a weekly roundup. This week: Israel began a new military operation in Gaza, killing more than 300 Palestinians since Thursday. Earlier in the week, Israel bombed two hospitals, killing a journalist it had previously wounded. It is day 590 of the war in Gaza, where more than 53,272 Palestinians have been killed.

In this episode:

Moath Al Kahlout, (@kahlout_moath) Al Jazeera Correspondent
Hamza Mohamed, (@Hamza_Africa) Al Jazeera Journalist
Hind Khoudary, (@Hind_Gaza) Al Jazeera Correspondent
Hamdah Salhut, (@hamdahsalhut) Al Jazeera Correspondent
Zeina Khodr, (@ZeinakhodrAlJaz) 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 Adam Abou-Gad 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: Eurovision 2024 - Divided over Israel May 17, 2025

Show notes

Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on May 10, 2024. None of the dates, titles, or other references have changed.

Usually all quirky music and fun, Eurovision has been marked by protests over Israel’s participation during its ongoing war on Gaza. Will it overshadow an event meant to unite?

In this episode:

Nils Adler (@nilsadler1), Al Jazeera Journalist

Episode credits:

This episode was updated by Tamara Khandaker. The original production team was Ashish Malhotra, Chloe K. Li, Catherine Nouhan, and our host Malika Bilal. Catherine Nouhan fact-checked this episode.

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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Malcolm X at 100: Ibram X. Kendi looks to the future May 16, 2025

Show notes

A hundred years after the birth of Malcolm X, and in the shadow of a second Trump presidency, Ibram X. Kendi – author of the international bestseller How to Be an Antiracist – returns to the meaning of Malcolm’s legacy in his newest book. What does it reveal about where the US is now, and what still needs to be said about race in America?

In this episode:

Ibram X Kendi (@ibramxk), Author ofMalcolm Lives!

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Ashish Malhotra, Sonia Bhagat, and Amy Walters with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Marcos Bartolome, Mariana Navarrete, and our guest host Natasha Del Toro. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz.

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editor is Hisham Abu Salah. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio.

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@AJEPodcasts on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

On Nakba Day, Trump tours the Gulf as Gaza starves May 15, 2025

Show notes

Gaza is starving. As Palestinians mark 77 years since the Nakba, families are still under bombardment, cut off from aid and struggling to survive. With US President Donald Trump touring the Gulf, what will it take to bring relief to Palestinians?

In this episode:

Youmna ElSayed (@YoumnaElSayed17), Al Jazeera correspondent

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Sarí el-Khalili, Sonia Bhagat, and Tamara Khandaker, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Kisaa Zehra, Remas Alhawari, Mariana Navarrete, and our guest host, Natasha del Toro. It was edited by Alexandra Locke.

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editor is Hisham Abu Salah. 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

How could Pope Leo XIV reshape the Catholic Church? May 14, 2025

Show notes

Recently elected Pope Leo XIV is the first pontiff from the United States, just as the country's president is shaking up the global order. With both the US and the Catholic Church deeply divided, what does Pope Leo’s selection mean for Catholics in the US and worldwide?

In this episode:

Hoda Abdel-Hamid (@hodaaje), Al Jazeera correspondent

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Amy Walters, Sonia Bhagat, Ashish Malhotra with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Kisaa Zehra, Tamara Khandaker, Chloe K. Li, Remas Alhawari, and our guest host, Natasha Del Toro. It was edited by Alexandra Locke.

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editor is Hisham Abu Salah. 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

Will budget cuts cause the end of the UN as we know it? May 13, 2025

Show notes

United Nations agencies are facing an unprecedented financial crisis, with the United States abruptly pulling aid, European contributions shrinking, and global budgets shifting to defence. Deep cuts, mass layoffs and sweeping reforms are under way, jeopardising food, shelter and other aid for millions around the world. How can the UN adapt to survive?

In this episode:

Gabriel Elizondo (@elizondogabriel), Al Jazeera correspondent

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé and Tamara Khandaker, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Kisaa Zehra, Mariana Navarrete, and our host, Manuel Rapalo. It was edited by Alexandra Locke.

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editor is Hisham Abu Salah. 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

Is there a cure for the loneliness epidemic? May 12, 2025

Show notes

Feeling lonely? You’re not the only one, and it’s not just in your head. The World Health Organization has called loneliness a global health threat, linked to serious physical and mental harm. But researchers say connection is a skill we can relearn, and rebuilding it might just save our lives.

This episode originally aired on December 13, 2023. All dates, titles, and references reflect that time and remain unchanged.

In this episode:

Niobe Way (@niobe_way), New York University Professor of Developmental Psychology

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Miranda Lin, Sarí el-Khalili, Zaina Badr, and our guest host Natasha del Toro.

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 Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

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