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The Take

Al Jazeera

The Take is a daily interview-driven international news podcast hosted by award-winning journalist Malika Bilal. Each episode focuses on conversations with journalists and people directly impacted by the news of the day, offering our listeners the context necessary to understand what's in the headlines. With millions of global listens, it's clear the conversations we're having on The Take are worth hearing. And critics think so too. The show has won the Online Journalism Awards, the Signal Awards, Lovie Awards, and Anthem Awards, among others.

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Al Jazeera

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The Take is a daily interview-driven international news podcast hosted by award-winning journalist Malika Bilal. Each episode focuses on conversations with journalists and people directly impacted by the news of the day, offering our listeners the context necessary to understand what's in the headlines. With millions of global listens, it's clear the conversations we're having on The Take are worth hearing. And critics think so too. The show has won the Online Journalism Awards, the Signal Awards, Lovie Awards, and Anthem Awards, among others.

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English


Episodes
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Why are students protesting in Serbia?

3/14/2025
How did Serbia’s students prompt a national movement for change? They’re leading countrywide protests after a railway station collapse killed 15 people last November. The protests have grown beyond demands for resignations, calling for structural change. Will they pull it off? In this episode: @djandjava Episode credits: This episode was produced by Sarí el-Khalili, Sonia Bhagat, and Amy Walters, with Ashish Malhotra, Chloe K. Li, Hanah Shokeir, Melanie Marich, Remas Alhawari, Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. 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. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Duration:00:23:44

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Mahmoud Khalil and Trump’s war on pro-Palestinian activism

3/13/2025
What led to the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a prominent pro-Palestine activist at Columbia University? Although he is a United States permanent resident, Khalil is facing deportation. The Trump administration says it's part of a broader effort to combat anti-Semitism, but critics see a chilling attack on political speech, with deportation being used as a weapon to silence dissent. US President Donald Trump says Khalil is the first of many to come. What happens next? In this episode: @meghnadbose93 Episode credits: This episode was produced by Ashish Malhotra, Sonia Bhagat, and Tamara Khandaker with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Hanah Shokeir, Melanie Marich, Remas Alhawari, Khaled Soltan, and me Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Alexandra Locke. 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

Duration:00:23:36

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With or without tariffs, China’s global rise is under way

3/12/2025
Is this China’s renaissance? Despite a trade war with the United States, China seems to be bounding into a high-tech future, making moves diplomatically, militarily and technologically. But some Chinese regions are facing a weakening economy and the effects of rapid urbanisation. Will China keep rising? In this episode: @TLCBkk Episode credits: This episode was produced by Amy Walters and Sarí el-Khalili, with Khaled Soltan, Hanah Shokeir, Melanie Marich, Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. 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

Duration:00:23:23

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What is behind the clashes in Syria?

3/11/2025
With hundreds dead after days of fighting between armed supporters of former leader Bashar al-Assad and government forces, the worst violence since al-Assad's fall, Syrians are grappling with how to move forward. Days ahead of the 14th anniversary of Syria's uprising, the country faces an uncertain path forward. In this episode: Osama Bin Javaid (@osamabinjavaid), Al Jazeera correspondent Episode credits: This episode was produced by Khaled Soltan and Chloe K. Li with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Hanah Shokeir, Melanie Marich and our guest host, Manuel Rápalo. 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. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Duration:00:24:02

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Is the world ready for the next pandemic?

3/10/2025
The clock is ticking down to the next pandemic, which could be deadlier than the last, as new zoonotic diseases emerge and global vaccine inequity persists. Five years since COVID-19, what lessons have we learned and what needs to change before it’s too late? In this episode: Drew Ambrose (@drew_ambrose), Al Jazeera journalist, “Flatten the Curve” Episode credits: This episode was produced by Chloe K. Li, Ashish Malhotra, and Tamara Khandaker, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Amy Walters, Sarí el-Khalili, Marcos Bartolomé, and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz. The Take production team is Marcos Bartolomé, Sonia Bhagat, Sarí el-Khalili, Tamara Khandaker, Phillip Lanos, Chloe K. Li, Ashish Malhotra, Khaled Soltan, Amy Walters, and Noor Wazwaz. Our editorial interns are Melanie Marich and Hanah Shokeir. Our guest host is Kevin Hirten. 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 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

Duration:00:21:34

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Gaza ceasefire talks in Doha, Israel continues blocking aid

3/9/2025
We're coming to you on Sundays with weekly roundups as Israel's war in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria continues. Negotiations are expected in Doha over the next phase of the ceasefire in Gaza. Israel continues to block aid. Israeli raids continued in the occupied West Bank. It is day 520 of the war in Gaza, where more than 48,453 Palestinians have been killed. In this episode: @hamdahsalhut@TareqAzzom@hxji99 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. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Duration:00:05:42

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Another Take: What’s Andrew Tate’s appeal?

3/8/2025
Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on September 19th, 2023. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed. Andrew Tate is a self-proclaimed sexist and disgraced social media influencer currently facing criminal charges in Romania. He currently has 7.8 million followers on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, and had billions of views on TikTok. Tate and his brother face charges of organized crime, human trafficking, and rape, but his young fans continue to support and buy into his brand of toxic masculinity. So what does Andrew Tate’s appeal in Romania say about where the phenomenon could lead next? In this episode: @stochita_radu Episode credits: This episode was updated by Amy Walters and Sarí el-Khalili. The original production team was Sonia Bhagat with Chloe K. Li, Miranda Lin, 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. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Duration:00:24:03

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How can women navigate the tech ‘broligarchy’?

3/7/2025
Silicon Valley’s “broligarchy” rose to power with the inauguration of US President Donald Trump, putting tech billionaires like Elon Musk in key roles. Ahead of International Women’s Day, we speak with a journalist who investigated Musk’s takeover of Twitter to uncover what the tech elite has in store for women in the US. In this episode: @ZoeSchiffer Episode credits: This episode was produced by Amy Walters and Sarí el-Khalili, with Marcos Bartolomé, Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Hanah Shokeir, Melanie Marich, and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. 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. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Duration:00:24:29

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Can the Arab plan for Gaza build a future for Palestinians?

3/6/2025
Arab countries have agreed on a plan to rebuild and govern Gaza without displacing its Palestinian population, a direct response to former United States President Donald Trump’s vision of transforming Gaza into the "Riviera of the Middle East". What does Egypt’s plan entail, and what are its chances of success? In this episode: @harb3imad Episode credits: This episode was produced by Tamara Khandaker and Chloe K. Li, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Khaled Soltan, Melanie Marich, Hanah Shokeir, and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. 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. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Duration:00:23:00

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Can AI save endangered Indigenous languages?

3/5/2025
AI is being used to save Indigenous languages, but is it the right fix? One new project aims to use tech to help keep these languages alive without replacing human connection. In this episode: @danielleboyerr Episode credits: This episode was produced by Chloe K. Li, Marcos Bartolomé, and Tamara Khandaker, with Manny Panaritos, Duha Mosaad, Hagir Saleh, Khaled Soltan, Hanah Shokeir, Melanie Marich, Noor Wazwaz and our guest host Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Alexandra Locke. 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

Duration:00:20:04

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Can Europe defend Ukraine without the US?

3/4/2025
After clashing with US President Donald Trump over support, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy turned to London for European and UK backing. His reception was warmer, but without US help, can Europe step up to defend the country? In this episode: @AlexGatopoulos Episode credits: This episode was produced by Khaled Soltan and Amy Walters, with Sarí el-Khalili, Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Hanah Shokeir, Melanie Marich, and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. 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. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Duration:00:22:10

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Syrian TV dramas during a post-Assad Ramadan

3/3/2025
Ramadan is peak season for watching Syrian TV dramas, a cherished tradition once stifled by censorship under Bashar al-Assad's regime. Writers, actors and directors were exiled, yet many still shaped popular series. As creatives return home, how will Syria’s TV and film industry evolve in a post-Assad era? In this episode: @csalamand@inas_hakki Episode credits: This episode was produced by Tamara Khandaker and Chloe K. Li, with Sarí el-Khalili, Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Marcos Bartolomé, Melanie Marich, Hanah Shokeir, and our guest host, Manuel Rapalo. It was edited by Kylene Kiang. The Take production team is Marcos Bartolomé, Sonia Bhagat, Sarí el-Khalili, Tamara Khandaker, Phillip Lanos, Chloe K. Li, Ashish Malhotra, Khaled Soltan, Amy Walters, and Noor Wazwaz. Our editorial interns are Melanie Marich, Hagir Saleh and Hanah Shokeir. Our guest host is Kevin Hirten. 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. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Duration:00:21:42

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Israel extends ceasefire under US terms, Hamas yet to respond

3/2/2025
We're coming to you on Sundays with weekly roundups as Israel's war in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria continues. Israel adopted a US proposal to continue a ceasefire in Gaza, while Hamas has yet to respond. Israel has released its longest serving Palestinian prisoner. It is day 513 of the war in Gaza, where more than 48,388 Palestinians have been killed. In this episode: @Hind_Gaza@hamdahsalhut@LauraKhanNews 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. At Al Jazeera Podcasts, we want to hear from you, our listeners. So, please head to https://www.aljazeera.com/survey and tell us your thoughts about this show and other Al Jazeera podcasts. It only takes a few minutes!

Duration:00:06:30

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Another Take: A cold and dangerous winter

3/1/2025
Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on December 14th, 2022. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed. As winter sets in, Russia is targeting Ukraine’s power grid. Homes are without heat and light, while multi-storey apartment buildings no longer have functioning elevators. Families are relying on camping stoves to do their cooking. What does a weaponized winter mean for Ukrainians now, and what will that mean as the cold continues? In this episode: @rorychallands Episode credits: This episode was updated by Amy Walters. The original production team was Amy Walters with Ruby Zaman, and our 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. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Duration:00:24:03

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Oscar-nominated film I’m Still Here confronts Brazil’s past

2/28/2025
A Brazilian film on forced disappearances under Brazil’s military dictatorship is making waves. I’m Still Here is up for three Academy Awards, including Best Picture, fuelling national pride and global debates on authoritarianism. Can it claim Hollywood’s top prize? In this episode: @MSavarese Episode credits: This episode was produced by Ashish Malhotra, Sonia Bhagat, and Amy Walters with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Marcos Bartolomé, Hanah Shokeir, Melanie Marich, Sarí el-Khalili, and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Kylene Kiang. The Take production team is Marcos Bartolomé, Sonia Bhagat, Sarí el-Khalili, Tamara Khandaker, Phillip Lanos, Chloe K. Li, Ashish Malhotra, Khaled Soltan, Amy Walters, and Noor Wazwaz. Our editorial interns are Melanie Marich, Hagir Saleh and Hanah Shokeir. Our guest host is Kevin Hirten. 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. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Duration:00:20:34

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Is AI paving the way for anti-refugee EU borders?

2/27/2025
AI-powered border enforcement, funded by the European Union, could become Europe’s new normal. From the “smart” Greece-Turkey border at Evros to Samos’s high-tech refugee camp, critics warn it’s a crackdown on migration that puts asylum rights at risk. In this episode: Episode credits: This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé and Chloe K. Li, with Ashish Malhotra, Tamara Khandaker, Sarí el-Khalili, and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Alexandra Locke 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. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Duration:00:21:01

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An inside look at ISIL’s detention camps in Syria

2/26/2025
ISIL’s detention camps in northeast Syria remain packed with thousands, with al-Hol alone holding 40,000—mostly wives and children of suspected fighters. Recent Al Jazeera reporting offers a rare inside look at their reality. As Syria enters a post-Assad era, what will become of them? In this episode: @nilsadler1 Episode credits: This episode was produced by Amy Walters, Sonia Bhagat, Ashish Malhotra with Sarí el-Khalili, Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Melanie Marich, Hanah Shokeir, Marcos Bartolomé, and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. 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. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Duration:00:23:57

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Lost childhood: Haiti’s kids in the grip of gangs

2/25/2025
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), Researcher with Amnesty International Episode credits: This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé and Chloe K. Li with Sarí el-Khalili, Melanie Marich and Hanah Shokeir, and our guest host, Natasha del Toro. 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 Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Duration:00:23:27

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Will US trial bring justice for slain Palestinian child Wadea?

2/24/2025
The trial for six-year-old Palestinian Wadea al-Fayoume’s murder begins in Chicago. Joseph Czuba faces hate crime charges, but his killing reflects a growing wave of anti-Palestinian hate in the US. As Islamophobia rises post-October 7, will this trial deliver justice? In this episode: (@ahmed.m.rehab Episode credits: This episode was produced by Ashish Malhotra, Sonia Bhagat, and Tamara Khandaker, with Sarí el-Khalili, Chloe K. Li, Marcos Bartolome, Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Melanie Marich, and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Kylene Kiang. The Take production team is Marcos Bartolomé, Sonia Bhagat, Sarí el-Khalili, Tamara Khandaker, Phillip Lanos, Chloe K. Li, Ashish Malhotra, Khaled Soltan, Amy Walters, and Noor Wazwaz. Our editorial interns are Melanie Marich, Hagir Saleh and Hanah Shokeir. Our guest host is Kevin Hirten. 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. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Duration:00:25:03

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Nasrallah to be buried in Beirut, Israel delays prisoner release

2/23/2025
We're coming to you on Sundays with weekly roundups as Israel's war in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria continues. A funeral for Hassan Nasrallah is being held in Beirut. Israel delayed the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. It is day 506 of the war in Gaza, where more than 48,319 Palestinians have been killed. In this episode: @AssedBaig@nour_odeh@TareqAzzom 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. At Al Jazeera Podcasts, we want to hear from you, our listeners. So, please head to https://www.aljazeera.com/survey and tell us your thoughts about this show and other Al Jazeera podcasts. It only takes a few minutes!

Duration:00:06:25