

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

Dec 2, 2023 • 7min
Brief: As Israeli operations resume in Gaza, where will people go?
We are bringing you updates on Saturday and Sunday as Israel's war on Gaza continues, and fighting between Hezbollah and Israel resumes. We have updates from Khan Younis, Gaza and Marjayoun, Lebanon. In this episode: Akram Al Satari, freelance journalist in Gaza Hind Al Khoudary, freelance journalist in Gaza @Hind_Gaza Zeina Khodr, Al Jazeera Lebanon correspondent @ZeinakhodrAljaz Episode credits: This episode was produced by Zaina Badr, and hosted and mixed by David Enders. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik. Adam Abou-Gad is our engagement producer. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer, and Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Dec 1, 2023 • 14min
The world Henry Kissinger built
Henry Kissinger was a giant of our world order for half a century. The former US secretary of state died at the age of 100 on Wednesday. He left a mark on every region – often not for the better of those left in the wake of his controversial policies. We look at the legacy that many fear could be forgotten. In this episode: Spencer Ackerman (@attackerman), Journalist and Author Sophal Ear (@sophal_ear), Associate Professor, Thunderbird School of Global Management Episode credits: This episode was produced by Amy Walters, Miranda Lin, Negin Owliaei and our host Malika Bilal. Fahrinisa Campana and David Enders 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, and Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera's head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Nov 30, 2023 • 20min
OpenAI at a crossroads: Can AI threaten humanity?
OpenAI opened the door to ChatGPT one year ago and it’s been a rollercoaster ride of highs and lows. So what does this year of ChatGPT tell us about the risks and the benefits of artificial intelligence? In this episode: Rob Pegoraro (@robpegoraro), Technology Journalist Episode credits: This episode was produced by Sarí el-Khalili, Amy Walters, and our host Malika Bilal. Fahrinisa Campana 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, and Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera's head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Nov 29, 2023 • 19min
With Israel’s release of prisoners, thousands more still detained
Palestinians have seen over a hundred releases from Israeli prisons during Israel and Hamas’s temporary ceasefire deal. But thousands more remain in detention, and Israel continues to arrest more people. So, why were they detained in the first place? In this episode: Nida Ibrahim (@nida_journo), Al Jazeera Correspondent in the Occupied West Bank Episode credits: This episode was produced by Fahrinisa Campana and Chloe K. Li and 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, and Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera's head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Nov 28, 2023 • 18min
After Israel and Hamas extend their truce, what comes next?
There will be no bombs or drones over Gaza for another two days. Israel and Hamas have largely followed the terms of their ceasefire deal since it came into effect on Friday morning, including prisoner exchanges and the entry of humanitarian aid. But a return to violence and the end of talks remain a constant threat. In this episode: Youmna ElSayed (@YoumnaElSayed17), Al Jazeera Gaza Correspondent Rory Challands (@RoryChallands), Al Jazeera Correspondent Episode credits: This episode was produced by Miranda Lin, David Enders and 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, and Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera's head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Nov 27, 2023 • 19min
The multiple fronts Ukraine’s women soldiers are battling
Ukraine’s female soldiers say they’re battling multiple enemies: Russia, sexism, and ill-fitting uniforms and protective gear. Attitudes towards women serving in the military in Ukraine are changing. Still, many wonder if progress is happening fast enough and if this progress will endure after the war with Russia is over. In this episode: Jessica Trisko Darden (@triskodarden), Assistant Professor at Virginia Commonwealth University & Director of the Security and Foreign Policy Initiative at William & Mary’s Global Research Institute Dzvenyslava Rymar, Architect and Combat Medic Episode credits: This episode was produced by Fahrinisa Campana and our host Malika Bilal. Amy Walters 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, and Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera's head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Nov 26, 2023 • 6min
Brief: More prisoners and captives released, but will the truce hold?
We are bringing you updates on Saturday and Sunday as the Israel-Hamas truce holds. Today, more Palestinian prisoners and Israeli captives are expected to be released. We have updates from Gaza, Ramallah, Occupied East Jerusalem, and Jenin. Episode credits: This episode was produced by Khaled Soltan, and hosted and mixed by David Enders. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik. Adam Abou-Gad is our engagement producer. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer, and Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Nov 25, 2023 • 6min
Brief: Palestinians and Israelis wait for releases to continue as truce holds
We are bringing you updates on Saturday and Sunday as the Israel-Hamas truce holds. Today, more Palestinian prisoners and Israeli captives are expected to be released. We have updates from Gaza, Ramallah, and Tel Aviv. Episode credits: This episode was produced by Khaled Soltan, and hosted and mixed by David Enders. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik. Adam Abou-Gad is our engagement producer. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer, and Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Nov 24, 2023 • 19min
Why is Indigenous activist Leonard Peltier still behind bars?
Nick Tilsen, President of NDN Collective, discusses the case of Indigenous activist Leonard Peltier, who has been in a US maximum security prison for almost 50 years. The episode explores the flaws in Peltier's trial, allegations of false evidence, and coerced testimony. It also highlights the ongoing efforts to secure his release, including calls from the United Nations and Amnesty International.

Nov 23, 2023 • 19min
Inside the Hamas-Israel truce deal
Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement for the first time since the war in Gaza began 47 days ago. In a deal mediated by Qatar, the sides agreed to a four-day truce, as well as the release of Israeli captives, Palestinian prisoners, and the resumption of humanitarian convoys. But as Israel’s deadly military strikes on Gaza continue, how will this deal change realities on the ground? In this episode: James Bays (@baysontheroad), Al Jazeera Diplomatic Editor Sara Khairat (@sarakhairat), Al Jazeera Correspondent Episode credits: This episode was produced by Miranda Lin, Khaled Soltan, David Enders and 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, and Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera's head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube