
The Take
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.
Latest episodes

Mar 22, 2025 • 21min
Another Take: Remembering war in Sudan
The podcast dives into the harrowing conflict in Sudan, detailing the power struggle between the army and paramilitary forces. It paints a vivid picture of life before the war, contrasting joyful memories with the current devastation. Personal stories reveal the emotional toll of displacement and survivor's guilt, while grassroots movements demonstrate resilience amid crisis. The pressing needs of civilians are highlighted, alongside the incredible dedication of healthcare workers. A call for global awareness surrounds the urgent humanitarian needs stemming from this ongoing turmoil.

Mar 21, 2025 • 21min
‘Tesla Takedown’: How Elon Musk's Trump alliance is triggering backlash
Elon Musk's alliance with Donald Trump has sparked widespread backlash against Tesla, leading to boycotts, protests, and even attacks on showrooms. Activists are challenging corporate influence on democracy, demanding accountability from powerful figures. Tensions escalate as Musk's confrontational approach with the media worsens public perception and impacts Tesla's stock. Meanwhile, President Trump labels the backlash as domestic terrorism, revealing the complex intersection of politics, activism, and consumer sentiment in today's landscape.

Mar 20, 2025 • 18min
What Trump’s Alien Enemies Act means for the US today
By invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, United States President Donald Trump launched a constitutional showdown and sent aspiring Americans to El Salvador to some of the worst prisons in the world. After putting the law on pause, a federal judge is questioning the legality of these deportations, leaving many in the US to wonder what’s next. In this episode: Pablo Manríquez (@MigrantInsider), editor at Migrant Insider Episode credits: This episode was produced by Amy Walters, Sonia Bhagat, Sarí el-Khalili, and Ashish Malhotra, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Khaled Soltan, Hanah Shokeir, Melanie Marich, Remas Alhawari, 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

Mar 18, 2025 • 22min
What Israel’s shattered ceasefire means for Gaza
Gaza’s fragile ceasefire is over. Israel launched overnight strikes on Tuesday, which have killed more than 400 people and injured hundreds more. Many were children, and more are still under the rubble. Why did this happen now, and what will the end of Israel’s ceasefire with Hamas mean for Palestinians in Gaza? In this episode: Diana Buttu (@dianabuttu), human rights lawyer and analyst Episode credits: This episode was produced by Tamara Khandaker, Sonia Bhagat and Chloe K. Li with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Melanie Marich, Remas Alhawari, Sarí el-Khalili, Amy Walters and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. 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

Mar 18, 2025 • 24min
What’s next after US strikes on Yemen?
US air strikes in Yemen have killed at least 53 people and injured more than 100. The strikes came after United States President Donald Trump warned the Houthis to stop their attacks on Israeli-linked ships in the Red Sea. What does the future hold for Yemen? In this episode: Alex Gatopoulos (@AlexGatopoulos), Al Jazeera Defense Editor Episode credits: This episode was produced by Khaled Soltan and Chloe K. Li with Amy Walters, Melanie Marich, Hanah Shokeir, Remas Alhawari, and Natasha Del Toro. 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

Mar 17, 2025 • 25min
Why was Rodrigo Duterte arrested by the ICC?
Once hailed as the Philippines's strongman and infamous for his so-called "war on drugs", former President Rodrigo Duterte now sits behind bars. He made history this week as the first former Asian head of state to be arrested by the International Criminal Court. What does his arrest mean for the victims, supporters and the global fight against crimes against humanity? In this episode: Carlos Conde, (@carloshconde), Senior Researcher, Human Rights Watch Episode credits: This episode was produced by Tamara Khandaker, Sonia Bhagat, and Ashish Malhotra with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Amy Walters, Chloe K. Li, Melanie Marich, Hanah Shokeir, Remas Alhawari, and our 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 Remas Alhawari, 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

Mar 16, 2025 • 5min
Brief: US attacks Yemen, Israel blockade of Gaza aid enters third week
As Israel’s war on Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria continues, we're coming to you on Sundays with a weekly roundup. This week: Ceasefire negotiations between Hamas and Israel remained at an impasse. A crackdown on Palestinians in the US intensified. It is day 527 of the war in Gaza, where more than 48,453 Palestinians have been killed. In this episode: Patty Culhane, (@PattyCulhane) Al Jazeera Correspondent Hamdah Salhut, (@hamdahsalhut) Al Jazeera Correspondent Tareq Abu Azzoum, (@TareqAzzom) Al Jazeera Correspondent 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

Mar 15, 2025 • 21min
Another Take: Is a ‘new Nakba’ happening in Gaza?
Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on May 15, 2023. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed. May 15th is when Palestinians mark ‘the catastrophe’, or their forced expulsion from the land that became the state of Israel. Those living in Gaza say every day is an ongoing catastrophe. About 70% of Gazans are Palestinian refugees. For the last 16 years, Israel and Egypt have imposed a blockade on Gaza. Travel is heavily controlled, jobs are scarce and the threat of escalation of violence is constant. While the older generations still dream of a return to their homeland, the younger generations say their futures have been stolen. In this episode: Maram Humaid (@MaramGaza) Al Jazeera Journalist Episode credits: This episode was updated by Sarí el-Khalili. The original production team was Miranda Lin, Khaled Soltan, 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

Mar 14, 2025 • 24min
Why are students protesting in Serbia?
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: Anđela Milivojević (@djandjava), Investigative Journalist 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

Mar 13, 2025 • 24min
Mahmoud Khalil and Trump’s war on pro-Palestinian activism
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: Meghnad Bose (@meghnadbose93), Journalist 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 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