

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

Feb 29, 2024 • 17min
After local elections in Israel, what comes next?
In Israel’s first election since the October 7 attacks by Hamas, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was not on the ballot. But Netanyahu’s party, Likud, did well, even as Israelis are out on the street protesting against him. What does this tell us about Israeli public opinion and the direction of the war ahead? In this episode: Willem Marx (@WillemMarx), Al Jazeera Journalist Episode credits: This episode was produced by Amy Walters and Khaled Soltan with our host Malika Bilal. Chloe K. Li and Zaina Badr fact-checked this episode. 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 Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Feb 28, 2024 • 17min
‘An extreme act’: Why Aaron Bushnell self-immolated for Gaza
Aaron Bushnell, a member of the US air force, set himself on fire in front of the Israeli embassy in Washington, DC, in an act of political protest over Israel’s war in Gaza. Bushnell livestreamed his death, saying he no longer wanted to be complicit in genocide. How will his message resonate? In this episode: Talia Jane (@taliaotg), Independent Journalist Lupe Barboza, Friend of Aaron Bushnell Archana Kaku, Assistant Professor, The College of William & Mary Episode credits: This episode was produced by Sonia Bhagat and Ashish Malhotra with our host Malika Bilal. Chloe K. Li fact-checked this episode. 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 Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Feb 27, 2024 • 19min
What’s behind the armed conflict in eastern DR Congo?
Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo is rich in resources, from gold and diamonds to coltan, used to power mobile phones. It’s also the site of recent heavy fighting between government forces and the rebel group, M23, and whoever emerges on top will have control of the region’s wealth. But trapped in the middle are Congolese civilians. As the fighting intensifies, where will they go? In this episode: Catherine Soi (@cate_soi), Al Jazeera Correspondent Episode credits: This episode was produced by Fahrinisa Campana and Sarí el-Khalili with our host, Malika Bilal. Chloe K. Li and Sarí el-Khalili fact-checked this episode. 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 Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Feb 26, 2024 • 23min
‘Where globalism goes to die’: inside the US right at CPAC
It’s billed as the most influential gathering of conservatives in the world: CPAC, or the Conservative Political Action Conference. In the past, it’s brought US Republican leaders together with activists on the right. In recent years, though, it’s catered to one particular leader – former US President Donald Trump. In this episode: Will Sommer (@WillSommer), Washington Post Media Reporter Episode credits: This episode was produced by Negin Owliaei and Chloe K. Li with our host Malika Bilal. Miranda Lin and Ashish Malhotra fact-checked this episode. 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 Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Feb 25, 2024 • 6min
Brief: Starvation in Gaza as Israelis protest against Netanyahu's government
As Israel’s war on Gaza continues, we're coming to you on Sundays with a weekly roundup. This week: Hunger is killing Palestinians in Gaza. Protests continue in Tel Aviv against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government and its handling of the war. There were reports of a possible breakthrough in ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas. And the International Court of Justice will continue to hear testimony on Israel's occupation of Palestinian land. It is day 142 of the war. In this episode: Hamdah Salhut (@HamdahSalhut), Al Jazeera Correspondent Bernard Smith (@JazeeraBernard), Al Jazeera Correspondent James Bays (@baysontheroad), Al Jazeera Diplomatic Editor Episode credits: This episode was produced and mixed by David Enders, in for Malika Bilal. 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 Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Feb 24, 2024 • 21min
Another Take: Why did Honduras extradite its former president to the US?
Every Saturday, we revisit a story that’s in the news again. This week, a criminal trial started for the former president of Honduras. This originally aired on April 4, 2022. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed. Less than three weeks after he finished his presidency, Juan Orlando Hernandez was arrested. United States prosecutors accused the former president of Honduras of being involved in a drug-trafficking ring with his younger brother, Tony. So how did Hernandez and his family become entangled in a cocaine and weapons trafficking scandal that may lead to his extradition to the US? In this episode: Manuel Rapalo, Al Jazeera Correspondent in Mexico (@Manuel_Rapalo) Connect with The Take: Twitter (@AJTheTake), Instagram (@ajthetake) and Facebook (@TheTakePod)

Feb 23, 2024 • 18min
What will happen to Julian Assange if he is extradited?
Stella Assange is now waiting for a decision on the extradition of her husband Julian, the founder of WikiLeaks, from the United Kingdom to the United States on charges of espionage. If he’s transferred to the US, Stella says it's not just Julian that faces grave consequences, but journalism itself. In this episode: Stella Assange (@Stella_Assange), Human Rights Lawyer Episode credits: This episode was produced by Sarí el-Khalili and Sonia Bhagat with our host Malika Bilal. Ashish Malhotra and Miranda Lin fact-checked this episode. 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 Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Feb 22, 2024 • 19min
What could a ruling on Israeli occupation mean for Palestine’s future?
Will the International Court of Justice declare Israel’s occupation of Palestine illegal? The case, brought by Palestinian representatives, is the second time in as many months that the court has heard a case on Israel and Palestine. 52 countries are participating. What will the ICJ do? In this episode: Bernard Smith (@JazeeraBernard), Al Jazeera Correspondent Episode credits: This episode was produced by David Enders and Zaina Badr with our host Malika Bilal. Ashish Malhotra fact-checked this episode. 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 Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Feb 21, 2024 • 21min
As US faith leaders call for a ceasefire, will the Biden administration listen?
As the US government resists calls for a ceasefire, a coalition of faith leaders, artists and activists in the US are on a 240-kilometer journey to Washington DC, in what they’re calling a “Pilgrimage for Peace.” Their goal is to convince the Biden administration to halt all weapons funding to Israel and push for a permanent ceasefire in Palestine. In this episode: Rev. Stephen A. Green (@greentherev), Faith for Black Lives Chair Episode credits: This episode was produced by Sonia Bhagat, Chloe K. Li, Ashish Malhotra and Miranda Lin with our host Malika Bilal. Ashish Malhotra fact-checked this episode. 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 Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Feb 20, 2024 • 19min
Two years on: When will the Ukraine war end?
“Outnumbered and outgunned.” With Russian forces firmly planted in Ukraine and half a million people dead and wounded, one Ukrainian journalist takes stock of all she’s seen, two years after Russia invaded. So when and how will this war end? And what happens if Ukraine loses? In this episode: Kateryna Malofieieva (@KatyaMalofeyeva), Freelance Journalist Episode credits: This episode was produced by Khaled Soltan and our host Kevin Hirten in for Malika Bilal. Miranda Lin and Zaina Badr fact-checked this episode. 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 Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube