Podcast
The Take
Hosted by Al Jazeera · EN
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.
79episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
How US donor bodies were sold for Israeli military training
5d ago00:21:54Tap to summarizeThe University of Southern California has been selling bodies donated for scientific research and education to the U.S. Navy. Some are being used to train Israeli military surgical teams in Los Angeles – all without the donors’ consent. Watch the AJ+ documentary here and read the students' reporting here. In this episode: Dena Takruri (@denatakruri), AJ+ Senior presenter Episode credits: This episode was produced by Chloe K. Li with Spencer Cline, Catherine Nouhan, 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-Melhemm. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
Transcribe →
Is the Pentagon’s UFO dump a political distraction?
6d ago00:21:39Tap to summarizeThe US Department of Defense released 162 files on unidentified flying objects (UFOs), following an order from President Donald Trump. The files included documents from the FBI, NASA, and the US State Department. As conspiracy theories soar all over the internet, what’s really in the files, and how significant is the release? In this episode: Anthony Lappe (@anthonylappe), Television producer and investigative reporter Episode credits: This episode was produced by David Enders and Chloe K. Li with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Tuleen Barakat, Catherine Nouhan 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
Transcribe →
Inside US Democrats' Gaza fight - and what it means for 2028 elections
1w ago00:24:13Tap to summarizeAs Kamala Harris weighs another run in 2028, the Democratic Party faces a split over Israel policy. A new report suggests it may have cost votes in 2024. With a base that has shifted dramatically, can the party keep up with what its voters now expect? In this episode: Omar Baddar (@OmarBaddar), Political Analyst Episode credits: This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé, Sonia Bhagat, Chloe K. Li, David Enders and Tuleen Barakat, with Spencer Cline, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Tamara Khandaker and Noor Wazwaz. 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 sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhemm. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
Transcribe →
Brief: Israel continues to strike Gaza. Israeli attacks across Lebanon despite ceasefire
1w ago00:07:40Tap to summarizeThis week, 221 days into a ceasefire, Israel has killed at least 850 Palestinians in Gaza. Israel continues to strike Gaza. Israeli attacks across Lebanon despite ceasefire. Iran reviewing US proposal to end the war In this episode: Zeina Khdor, (@ZeinakhodrAljaz), Al Jazeera Correspondent Hind Khadoury, ((@Hind_Gaza), Al Jazeera Correspondent Tareq Abu Azzoum, (@abuoazzum) Al Jazeera Correspondent Tohid Asadi, (@tohid_._asadi), Al Jazeera Correspondent Rory Challands, (@rorychallands), 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. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
Transcribe →
Another Take: Why is land in the West Bank being sold off to US citizens?
1w ago00:21:28Tap to summarizeEvery Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on January 22, 2025. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed. Expansions of illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank are proceeding at a record pace, and in the US town of Teaneck, New Jersey, some residents are organizing to fight real estate sales to American Jews. It’s sparked accusations of antisemitism and ratcheted up tension in the small community. What’s next for Teaneck? In this episode: Rich Siegel, Teaneck Resident Episode credits: This episode was updated by Sonia Bhagat. The original production team was Marcos Bartolomé, Duha Mossad, Hagir Saleh, Cole van Miltenburg and our host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by 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
Transcribe →
Justice for Shireen: the American investigation
1w ago00:26:46Tap to summarizeIt’s been four years since Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was killed by Israeli forces. In those years, her family has pushed the United States government for one thing: an independent investigation into her killing that leads to real accountability. The Take looks into the push for justice in the US, and why it's been so difficult to achieve. This is a story from the archives. This originally aired on September 5, 2022. None of the dates, titles or other references from that time have been changed. In this episode: Lina Abu Akleh (@LinaAbuAkleh), Niece of Shireen Abu Akleh Katherine Gallagher, Human Rights Attorney, Center for Constitutional Rights Said Arikat (@SMArikat), Journalist Episode credits: This episode was updated by Sarí el-Khalili. The original production team was Negin Owliaei, Amy Walters, Ruby Zaman, Chloe K. Li, Alexandra Locke, and our guest host, Halla Mohieddeen. 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
Transcribe →
Inside the Israeli bloc that could topple Netanyahu
2w ago00:21:37Tap to summarizeIsrael’s opposition is uniting to try to unseat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in upcoming elections. Former Prime Ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid are joining forces, but deep divisions remain over the war with Iran and Israel’s future direction. As pressure mounts on Netanyahu after months of war and political turmoil, can the opposition really take power? In this episode: Mairav Zonszein (@MairavZ), Senior Israel Analyst, International Crisis Group Episode credits: This episode was produced by Noor Wazwaz and Sarí el-Khalili, with Spencer Cline, Chloe K. Li, 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. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
Transcribe →
‘This is my last voice note’: how piracy returned to Somalia and Yemen
2w ago00:19:32Tap to summarizePiracy is rising again near Somalia. Since April 20, at least three ships have been hijacked off Somali waters and one near the Yemeni coast. A sailor’s voice note from a seized vessel has spread online. As the Iran war shakes the region, is it fueling attacks on key shipping routes? In this episode: Mohamed Gabobe (@Mohamed_Gabobe), Journalist Episode credits: This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé and Sarí el-Khalili with Spencer Cline, Tuleen Barakat, Catherine Nouhan, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Tamara Khandaker. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. This episode was mixed by Rick Rush. 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
Transcribe →
Could OPEC break lead to era of energy volatility?
2w ago00:20:41Tap to summarizeIran has attacked a UAE petroleum site in Fujairah, just days after the United Arab Emirates announced it was leaving OPEC. As the Strait of Hormuz crisis deepens and oil prices keep rising, could this accelerate the shift to renewables, or are we heading into an era of energy volatility? In this episode: Jim Krane (@jimkrane), Co-director of the Middle East Energy Roundtable, Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy Episode credits: This episode was produced by David Enders and Sarí el-Khalili with Chloe K. Li, 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. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
Transcribe →
Would you bet on the next disaster? The rise of prediction markets
2w ago00:24:11Tap to summarizeIs the rise of prediction markets unstoppable? Companies like Polymarket and Kalshi have boomed and so have the controversies that surround them. US Senators are now banned from using such sites, and a US soldier has been charged over bets placed on the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. How is it already changing our reality? In this episode: Bobby Allyn (@BobbyAllyn), NPR Tech Correspondent Episode credits: This episode was produced by Chloe K. Li and Noor Wazwaz with Spencer Cline, Marcos Bartolome, Catherine Nouhan, and our guest host, Tamara Khandaker. It was edited by Alexandra Locke. 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. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
Transcribe →