The Take

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What does the White House dinner shooting mean for Trump? Apr 26, 2026

Show notes

Gunshots shattered the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, throwing Washington’s biggest night into chaos. We unpack how it happened, who the suspect is, how security responded, and what US President Donald Trump said afterward. We also examine the fallout and what it reveals about a White House under pressure. So what happens next?

In this episode:

Chris Sheridan (@ChrisSheridan34), Senior White House Producer, Al Jazeera English

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by David Enders, Sarí el-Khalili, and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Sarí el-Khalili. Alex Roldan is our sound designer.

The Take production team is Marcos Bartolomé, Sonia Bhagat, Spencer Cline, Sarí el-Khalili, Tamara Khandaker, Chloe K. Li, Alexandra Locke, Catherine Nouhan, Alex Roldan, and Noor Wazwaz. Our host is Malika Bilal.

Our editorial intern is Tuleen Barakat. Our engagement producers are Adam Abou-Gad and Vienna Maglio. Andrew Greiner is lead of audience engagement. 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

Brief: No peace talks between US and Iran. Israel intensifies its attacks on Gaza. Apr 26, 2026

Show notes

This week, 207 days into a ceasefire, Israel has killed at least 809 Palestinians in Gaza. No peace talks between US and Iran. Israel intensifies its attacks on Gaza. Israeli settlers fire at a school in the occupied West Bank. Israel has killed at least 72,585 Palestinians in Gaza since October 7th, 2023.

In this episode:

Osama Bin Javid, (osamabinjavaid),Al Jazeera Correspondent
Zeina Khdor, (@zeinakhodraljaz), Al Jazeera Correspondent
Hind Khadoury, (@hind_gaza), Al Jazeera Correspondent
Nour Odeh, (@nourodeh), Al Jazeera Correspondent
Nida Ibrahim, (@nida_journo), 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: Lost childhood - Haiti’s kids in the grip of gangs Apr 25, 2026

Show notes

Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on February 25, 2025. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed.

More than a million children in Haiti are caught in a nightmare, trapped in gang-controlled areas, recruited as soldiers and spies, and subjected to unthinkable abuse. With no president, no parliament, and no protection, their futures hang in the balance. So, who will step up and fight for Haiti’s children?

In this episode:

Rawya Rageh (@RawyaRageh), Senior Crisis Advisor, Amnesty International

Episode credits:

This episode was updated by Sarí el-Khalili. The original production team was Marcos Bartolomé, Chloe K. Li, Sarí el-Khalili, Kylene Kiang, Melanie Marich, Hanah Shokeir, 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.

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

How Israel targeted and killed Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil Apr 24, 2026

Show notes

Amal Khalil was killed while reporting on an Israeli air strike in southern Lebanon during a 10-day ceasefire. She is the ninth journalist killed in Lebanon this year. As Lebanon buries her and talks continue on extending the ceasefire, what does her death say about the prospects for accountability?

In this episode:

Heidi Pett (@heidipett), Al Jazeera Correspondent

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by David Enders and Chloe K. Li with Spencer Cline, Tuleen Barakat, Catherine Nouhan, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Tamara Khandaker 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.

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

How Trump’s Iran war is driving military dissent Apr 23, 2026

Show notes

As the US expands its war with Iran, opposition is growing - not just among the public, but inside the military itself. Some service members are questioning orders, exploring conscientious objection, and speaking out. What’s driving this shift, and how far could it go?

In this episode:

Mike Prysner (@MikePrysner), Executive Director of the Center on Conscience & War

Episode credits:

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

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Did UK universities pay to ‘spy’ on pro‑Palestine students? Apr 22, 2026

Show notes

Twelve elite British universities are accused of hiring a private security firm with military intelligence ties to track pro-Palestine student protests. Students were reportedly flagged through social media monitoring without their awareness, sparking debate over surveillance and free speech in UK higher education.

Learn more about the campus accountability mapping project.

In this episode:

Aaron Walawalkar (@AaronWala), Investigative Reporter, Liberty Investigations

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Chloe K. Li and Sarí el-Khalili with Spencer Cline, Catherine Nouhan, Tuleen Barakatand our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Tamara Khandaker and Noor Wazwaz.

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Rick Rush mixed this episode. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer.

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The US exit from Syria, explained Apr 21, 2026

Show notes

The United States has pulled its troops out of Syria, ending a decade-long presence. But the fight isn’t over. As power shifts on the ground, Kurdish forces, regional tensions, and fragile negotiations are reshaping the country’s future. What’s behind the decision, and what comes next?

In this episode:

Natacha Danon (@natacha_danon), Journalist

Episode credits:

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

The Flotillas, Part 1: What does it take to sail to Gaza? Apr 20, 2026

Show notes

This is The Flotillas, a three-part documentary series from The Take. Part 1: It was just a few boats and a radical idea – break the maritime siege of Gaza imposed by Israel. Today, that spark has grown into a defiant global movement, but Huwaida Arraf has been confronting Israel on land and at sea for more than two decades.

In 2025, she once again prepared to sail to Gaza on the ship Handala. This time, the stakes were different. As a mother of two, Huwaida navigated not only the risks of confronting a naval blockade, but also what it means to continue the fight while raising a family.

This is the story of how a small, unlikely mission at sea grew into an international movement, and what keeps its earliest leaders going despite the personal cost.

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Brief: Tensions continue in the Strait of Hormuz. Israel draws yellow line in Lebanon Apr 19, 2026

Show notes

This week: 200 days into a ceasefire, Israel has killed at least 773 Palestinians in Gaza. Tensions continue in the Strait of Hormuz. Israel draws yellow line in Lebanon. Palestinian Prisoner Day with 10,000 imprisoned. Israel has killed more than 72,549 Palestinians in Gaza since October 7th, 2023.

In this episode:

Ali Hashem (@alihashem), Al Jazeera correspondent
Heidi Pett, (@heidipett_) Al Jazeera Correspondent
Obaida Hitto, (@obaida.hitto) Al Jazeera Correspondent
Dalya Al Masri, (@dalya_masri) Al Jazeera Journalist
Nour Odeh, (@nourodeh) Al Jazeera Correspondent

Episode credits:

Connect with us:

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Another Take: War at the doorstep – everyday life in southern Lebanon Apr 18, 2026

Show notes

Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on August 16, 2024. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed.

Farmers forced to leave their fields, children out of school, and white phosphorus devastating lives – all this hangs over life in southern Lebanon, where the ongoing threat of escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah has been a constant presence for decades. How do residents continue to cope with these challenges?

In this episode:

Sara Salman (@sara_salman), AJ+ Journalist

Episode credits:

This episode was updated by Chloe K. Li. The original production team was Tamara Khandaker, Ashish Malhotra, and Sonia Bhagat, with Manahil Naveed, Veronique Eshaya and our host Malika Bilal.

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

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