The Take

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How is Gaza celebrating Eid? May 27, 2026

Show notes

This is a story from the archives. This originally aired on March 28, 2025. None of the dates, titles or other references from that time have been changed.

Palestinians in Gaza are preparing to mark the end of Ramadan with Eid al-Fitr. The holiday is happening during the escalation of Israel's war on Gaza, with aid blocked and families forced to flee again. Even focused on avoiding starvation, people are finding a way to mark the holiday during war.

In this episode:

Laila el-Haddad (@gazamom), Author & Journalist

Episode credits:

This episode was updated by Sarí el-Khalili. The original production team was Sarí el-Khalili, Sonia Bhagat, and Chloe K. Li, Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Kylene Kiang, Kisaa Zehra, Remas Alhawari, Melanie Marich, Marcos Bartolomé, Hanah Shokeir, Alexandra Locke and our guest host, Kevin Hirten.

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.

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Did Trump oversell a broken Iran ceasefire deal? May 26, 2026

Show notes

US President Donald Trump claimed a deal with Iran was “largely negotiated”, before later saying talks were still ongoing. A draft US-Iran memorandum of understanding has sparked backlash in Washington, alarm in Israel and fresh questions over sanctions, nuclear talks and the shaky ceasefire. So how close are the two sides to a real agreement?

In this episode:

Ali Hashem (@alihashem), Al Jazeera Senior Correspondent

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by David Enders and Sarí el-Khalili with Catherine Nouhan, Tuleen Barakat, and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Tamara Khandaker.

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.

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@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Twitch to politics: Hasan Piker on Gaza and the US right-wing May 25, 2026

Show notes

This is a story from the archives. This originally aired on August 19, 2025. None of the dates, titles or other references from that time have been changed.

With nearly three million Twitch followers, Hasan Piker is one of the internet’s biggest political streamers. He blends humor, culture, and masculinity talk with sharp political commentary, drawing young men away from the US alt-right. And on Gaza, he has become one of the loudest US voices for Palestine.

In this episode:

Hasan Piker (@hasanthehun), Online Streamer & Political Commentator

Episode credits:

This episode was updated by Tamara Khandaker. The original production team was Tracie Hunte, Sonia Bhagat, Chloe K. Li, Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Melanie Marich, Julia Muldavin, Kisaa Zehra, Farhan Rafid, Sarí el-Khalili, and our host, Malika Bilal.

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Brief: Trump says Iran deal close, World Central Kitchen cuts Gaza aid May 24, 2026

Show notes

This week: 235 days into a ceasefire, Israel has killed at least 880 Palestinians in Gaza. The Iran and US were said to be making progress in negotiations. World Central Kitchen reduces its work in Gaza. Israel deports international activists. Israel has killed more than 72,775 Palestinians in Gaza since October 7th, 2023.

In this episode:

Tohid Asadi, Al Jazeera Correspondent
Tareq Abu Azzoum, (@abuoazzum) Al Jazeera Journalist
Nida Ibrahim, (@nida_aljazeera) Al Jazeera Correspondent

Episode credits:

This episode was produced and mixed by Marthe van der Wolf. 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.

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@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Another Take: What an Ebola outbreak reveals about vaccine inequity May 23, 2026

Show notes

Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on February 21, 2021. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed.

Two viruses, two vaccines, one unequal system: Guinean health officials declared an Ebola epidemic after reporting the first cases of the virus since West Africa’s deadly outbreak ended in 2016. One thing that has changed since that last outbreak: the availability of a vaccine. But like we have seen with the coronavirus pandemic, the existence of a vaccine does not necessarily mean access to one.

In this episode:

Nicolas Haque, Al Jazeera journalist
Gladys Archange, Guinea country representative for Catholic Relief Services.

Episode credits:

This episode was updated by Marthe van der Wolf. The original production team was Negin Owliaei, Malika Bilal, Priyanka Tilve, Dina Kesbeh, Alexandra Locke, Ney Alvarez and Amy Walters.

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our engagement producers are Adam Abou-Gad and Vienna Maglio. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer.

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

San Diego’s Muslims, a mosque, and a city shaken May 22, 2026

Show notes

We hear how San Diego’s Muslim community is grieving, supporting one another, and trying to move forward after an attack that shattered their sense of safety. How does a community begin healing after unimaginable loss?

In this episode:

Sarah Hassaine (@shassaine), Community Leader

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Chloe K. Li and Sarí el-Khalili, with Spencer Cline, Catherine Nouhan, Tuleen Barat, 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.

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Why are India’s mosques turning into temple disputes? May 21, 2026

Show notes

From mosques to temples, old religious battles are back in India’s courts. A law passed after the Babri Masjid dispute was meant to stop exactly this. But new claims are moving forward again, as Hindu nationalism grows and many Muslims fear the protections once promised to them are slipping away.

In this episode:

Yashraj Sharma (@yashjournals), Al Jazeera Reporter

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé and Sarí el-Khalili with Spencer Cline, Noor Wazwaz, Tuleen Barakat, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Tamara Khandaker.

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.

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@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

The implosion of Keir Starmer’s Labour May 20, 2026

Show notes

Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing the biggest crisis of his leadership after Labour’s bruising election losses sparked panic inside the party. As Nigel Farage and Reform UK gain ground, we examine why Starmer’s authority appears to be slipping before any formal challenge has even begun and whether Britain is entering another period of political instability.

In this episode:

Kieran Andrieu (@kieran_andrieu), Political Economist

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Noor Wazwaz and Sarí el-Khalili, with Spencer Cline, Tuleen Barakat, Catherine Nouhan and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Tamara Khandakar.

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.

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@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

What’s behind the forced disappearances in Ecuador? May 19, 2026

Show notes

Ecuadorians say civilians are being abducted off the street as part of the military crackdown on drug cartels. President Daniel Noboa deployed Ecuador’s military to combat gangs after declaring an ‘internal armed conflict’ in 2024. A new film from Al Jazeera's Faultlines hears from the family members of those who have been taken and human rights groups about the growing calls for justice.

In this episode:

Jeremy Young (@YoungRJeremy), Senior Investigative Producer, Al Jazeera

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by David Enders and Chloe K. Li with Tuleen Barakat, Marcos Bartolomé and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Tamara Khandaker.

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.

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

500 activists sailed toward Gaza. This is what happened. May 18, 2026

Show notes

What is it actually like on board a flotilla to Gaza, knowing you'll likely be targeted and imprisoned? Until now, it's a story that's been told mostly in fragments, one vertical video at a time. This is the inside story of what it is like on the Global Sumud Flotilla: the drone attacks, the safety drills, the calls home, and the Palestinians in Gaza waiting to see if civilians can break a siege backed by a superpower. This episode is part of a three-part documentary series, The Flotillas, by The Take and AJ+.

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