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.
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
7 snips
Oct 18, 2026 • 6min
Brief: Settlers attack Palestinians and diplomats in occupied West Bank, future of UN peacekeeping in Lebanon unclear
Nour Odeh, a Palestinian journalist covering the occupied West Bank; Hani Mahmoud, a Gaza-based correspondent; and Zeina Khodr, a Lebanese conflict and politics reporter, examine escalating settler attacks on Palestinians and European diplomats. They explore Israel’s expanding control and destruction in Gaza, the shrinking prospects of return, and UNIFIL’s uncertain future in Lebanon.
Oct 11, 2026 • 6min
Brief: One year of Gaza 'ceasefire', will US attack Yemen after Saudi airport strike?
A year after Gaza’s ceasefire declaration, Israeli attacks and Palestinian casualties continue to mount. A deadly strike on a Saudi airport raises fears of renewed US escalation in Yemen as fighting intensifies along the Red Sea. In the West Bank, settler violence threatens the olive harvest, while Israel tightens control along Lebanon’s border through detentions, restrictions and village demolitions.
Oct 4, 2026 • 6min
Brief: US sending more troops to Middle East even as it withdraws from Iraq
Nida Ibrahim, an Al Jazeera correspondent covering Palestine, reports on dangers facing West Bank students. Mahmoud Abdelwahed, who covers Iraq and regional politics, examines the US military withdrawal and Iraq’s sovereignty debate. Tanya Noury, a Washington-based correspondent covering US foreign policy, explores new troop and weapons deployments near Iran. The roundup also follows Gaza funerals and families searching for relatives beneath the rubble.
7 snips
Sep 27, 2026 • 6min
Brief: Trump rejects Iran's proposal, why doesn't Gaza have wheelchairs?
Gabriel Elizondo, an international affairs correspondent, examines Iran’s proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and the diplomatic stakes. Ibrahim al-Khalili, who reports on Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, explores why wheelchairs have become lifelines for amputee children. Zeina Khodr, a veteran Middle East conflict correspondent, reports on the destruction and sectarian tensions reshaping southern Lebanon.
12 snips
Sep 20, 2026 • 6min
Brief: Iran's conditions for peace with US, what is in new US weapons shipment for Israel?
Tohid Asadi, an Al Jazeera correspondent in Tehran, covers Iran’s ceasefire demands. Ali Hashem, a Middle East politics and security journalist, examines Houthi pressure on Saudi Arabia and the Bab al-Mandab Strait. From Gaza, correspondent Hind Khoudary reports on families sheltering in damaged buildings. White House correspondent Kimberly Halkett explores a new $2.8bn US weapons package for Israel.
7 snips
Sep 13, 2026 • 5min
Brief: Israel kills family in Gaza, why did Houthis launch offensive?
A weekly roundup of Israel’s continuing war on Gaza, including the killing of an entire family in Beit Lahia and hospitals struggling without supplies. The discussion examines the Houthis’ latest offensive and regional power shifts, while reports from the occupied West Bank cover settler attacks, besieged Palestinian homes, and accelerating settlement expansion.
14 snips
Sep 6, 2026 • 6min
Brief: Iran retaliates after US sinks ships, Israeli minister wants ethnic cleansing in Gaza
A weekly roundup tracks Iran-US retaliation around the Strait of Hormuz and its widening economic costs. Reports from Gaza examine demolition, bombardment and plans Palestinians fear amount to forced expulsion. Palestinian Americans seek protection amid settler violence in the West Bank, while displaced children in south Lebanon face damaged schools and an uncertain academic year.
Aug 30, 2026 • 6min
Brief: Israeli pogroms continue in West Bank, more children killed in Gaza
Nida Ibrahim, Al Jazeera correspondent reporting from East Jerusalem, on a raid shutting a UNRWA training centre. Nargess Mouballeghi, reporting from the occupied West Bank, on settler violence and sieges of homes. Gabriel Elizondo, reporting from New York, on UN Security Council debates over a Gaza withdrawal roadmap. Hani Mahmoud, reporting from Gaza City, on civilian casualties and farmers risking fields.
Aug 23, 2026 • 6min
Brief: No change in Gaza after Kushner meeting, will Israel escalate in Lebanon?
Ali Hashem, Al Jazeera correspondent in southern Lebanon reporting on cross-border clashes. Nida Ibrahim, Al Jazeera reporter in the West Bank covering settler violence and displacement. Hani Mahmoud, Al Jazeera field reporter in Gaza on humanitarian impacts of strikes. They discuss ongoing airstrikes and civilian casualties despite diplomatic talks. They cover settler-driven uprooting and rising tensions along the Lebanon frontier.
Aug 16, 2026 • 6min
Brief: Settler siege of Palestinian home continues, Israel kills 11 in Lebanon
Ali Hashem, Al Jazeera correspondent in southern Lebanon, reports on deadly airstrikes and civilian impact. Hind Khoudary, Al Jazeera correspondent in Gaza, describes agricultural recovery and relief challenges for returning families. Nour Odeh, journalist in the occupied West Bank, covers settler sieges and trapped Palestinian households. Multiple frontline scenes and humanitarian strains are discussed in short, vivid reports.
