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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.

The Take

The US federal government is closed for business. Democrats and Republicans in Congress failed to agree on a budget to keep the government open. But over two million federal workers who will go without a paycheck during negotiations have a new worry: will President Donald Trump use the shutdown to eliminate some of their jobs permanently? 
 
The Take is nominated for the Signal Awards in the Best Daily Podcast category. While we wait for the judges' decisions, you can help us win the listeners' vote. Vote for The Take for Best Daily Podcast
 
In this episode: 
 
 • Heidi Zhou-Castro (
@HeidiZhouCastro • ), Al Jazeera English Correspondent
 
Episode credits:
 
This episode was produced by Melanie Marich, Sarí el-Khalili, and Tracie Hunte with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Amy Walters, Kisaa Zehra, Farhan Rafid, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Kylene Kiang. 
 
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

Why did the US government shut down?

Pete Hegseth, a Fox News anchor turned Secretary of Defense, summoned US military leaders from around the world to present a new, “anti-woke” vision for the military – one without transgender troops, “fat” generals, or beards. Then, he closed with a prayer. It’s all part of a long-running mission to end diversity measures and push forward a Christian nationalist agenda in the US armed forces.
 
The Take is nominated for the Signal Awards in the Best Daily Podcast category. While we wait for the judges' decisions, you can help us win the listeners' vote. Vote for The Take for Best Daily Podcast
 
In this episode:
 
 • Ben Makuch, National Security Reporter
 
Episode credits:
 
This episode was produced by Tamara Khandaker, Sarí el-Khalili, and Haleema Shah with Manny Panaretos, Duha Mosaad, Amy Walters, Farhan Rafid, and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Kylene Kiang.
 
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

The US military’s MAGA makeover

Zohran Mamdani, born in Uganda and raised in New York, is in the lead to become the city’s next mayor. His complex identity has sparked debate in the US. From questions about race to immigrant experiences, his story is challenging the way Americans think about identity, politics, and who gets power.
 
The Take is nominated for the Signal Awards in the Best Daily Podcast category. While we wait for the judges' decisions, you can help us win the listeners' vote. Vote for The Take for Best Daily Podcast
 
In this episode:
 
 • Aina J. Khan (
@ainajkhan • ), Journalist
 
Episode credits:
 
This episode was produced by Kisaa Zehra and Marcos Bartolomé with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Melanie Marich, Duha Mosaad, Tracie Hunte, Farhan Rafid, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Kylene Kiang and Sarí el-Khalil. 
 
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

Why NYC’s Zohran Mamdani doesn’t fit racial boxes – and that’s the point

Femicides, corruption scandals, and economic pain are all shaking Argentina. President Javier Milei, facing protests and poor provincial election results, is hoping a Trump-backed bailout will also bail him out. With legislative elections coming up, how will Milei survive this compound crisis?
 
The Take is nominated for the Signal Awards in the Best Daily Podcast category. While we wait for the judges' decisions, you can help us win the listeners' vote. Vote for The Take for Best Daily Podcast
 
In this episode: 
 
 • Natalie Alcoba (
@nataliealcoba • ), Journalist
 
Episode credits:
 
This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé and Amy Walters, with Melanie Marich, Duha Mosaad, Farhan Rafid, and our guest host, Natasha Del Toro. It was edited by Kylene Kiang and 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

How a livestreamed femicide rocked Argentina

Hundreds of migrants have vanished from official records after being held at Florida’s so-called “Alligator Alcatraz,” leaving families and lawyers in the dark. With reports of abuse, secretive contracts, and mounting legal challenges, the state-run detention center has become a symbol of Donald Trump’s aggressive mass deportation agenda.
 
The Take is nominated for the Signal Awards in the Best Daily Podcast category. While we wait for the judges' decisions, you can help us win the listeners' vote. Vote for The Take for Best Daily Podcast
 
In this episode:
 
 Thomas Kennedy • , Policy Analyst, Florida Immigrant Coalition
 
Episode credits:
 
This episode was produced by Tracie Hunte and Tamara Khandaker with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Melanie Marich, Kisaa Zehra, Farhan Rafid, and our host, Natashe Del Toro. It was edited by Kylene Kiang. 
 
The Take production team is Marcos Bartolomé, Sonia Bhagat, Spencer Cline, Sarí el-Khalili, Tracie Hunte, Tamara Khandaker, Kylene Kiang, Phillip Lanos, Chloe K. Li, Melanie Marich, Catherine Nouhan, Haleema Shah, Amy Walters, and Noor Wazwaz. Our editorial interns are Farhan Rafid, and Kisaa Zehra. Our host is Malika Bilal. 
 
Our engagement producers are Adam Abou-Gad and Vienna Maglio. Andrew Greiner is lead of audience engagement.
 
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

‘Alligator Alcatraz’: where are the missing detainees?

This week: Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the UN General Assembly as Israel continued its destruction of Gaza City. Lebanon marked one year since Israel's assassination of Hassan Nasrallah. It is day 723 of the war on Gaza, where more than 65,926 Palestinians have been killed.
 
In this episode:
 
 • Lucia Newman, (
@lucianewman • ) Al Jazeera Correspondent
 • Tareq Abu Azzoum, (
@abuoazzum • ) Al Jazeera Diplomatic Editor 
 • Zeina Khodr, (
@ZeinakhodrAljaz • ) 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 Munera AlDosari 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

Brief: Netanyahu at UN, Lebanon marks Nasrallah assassination

For the first time in nearly 60 years, a Syrian leader speaks at the UN. It was a symbolic moment for a nation long-isolated from the international stage. President Ahmed al-Sharaa says he can rebuild Syria through private investment and a deal with Israel. But how much can he concede in the name of progress, without losing Syrian public support?
 
In this episode:
 
 • Ali Harb (
@Harbpeace • ), Al Jazeera senior producer
 
Episode credits:
 
This episode was produced by Haleema Shah, Sari El-Khalili and Chloe K. Li, with Marcos Bartolomé, Melanie Marich, Farhan Rafid, and our guest host, Natasha Del Toro. It was edited by Kylene Kiang and 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 X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Ahmed al-Sharaa’s high-stakes bid to remake Syria

TikTok’s feed is famous for knowing users better than they know themselves. Now, a US deal could put that power in the hands of Trump allies and tech giants. What might change for the 170 million Americans on the app – and what does this fight reveal about control of speech and data?
 
In this episode:
 
 • Robert Rogowsky, Professor of Trade and Economic Diplomacy at the Middlebury Institute for International Studies
 
Episode credits:
 
This episode was produced by Tamara Khandaker, Sarí el-Khalili, and Chloe K. Li, with Manny Panaretos, Melanie Marich, Marcos Bartolomé, Kisaa Zehra, Farhan Rafid, and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Kylene Kiang. 
 
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

Inside the TikTok deal: the politics of the algorithm

The US has now struck deals with five African countries to accept deportees convicted of crimes. The individuals aren’t sent to their countries of origin, but to a third country. Eswatini took five men who aren’t its citizens. With Ghana, Rwanda, South Sudan and others signing on, what do these governments gain? And what happens to due process for the people caught in between?
 
In this episode:
 
 • Cebelihle Mbuyisa (
@CebelihleM • ), Journalist
 
Episode credits:
 
This episode was produced by Tracie Hunte, Sarí el Khalili, and Haleema Shah with Melanie Marich, Kisaa Zehra, and Farhan Rafid, and guest host Natasha Del Toro. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz and Kylene Kiang. 
 
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

Why Eswatini said yes to US deportees

From Madrid to Brussels, protesters are turning sports, culture, and trade into flashpoints over Israel’s war on Gaza. Europe’s leaders are proposing sanctions and recognition. Is this momentum strong enough to shift power? Or are governments offering small steps to manage unrest while avoiding deeper change?
 
In this episode:
 
 • Alys Samson Estapé, Organizer, Stop Complicity With Israel
 
Episode credits:
 
This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé and Haleema Shah with Manny Panaretos, Chloe K. Li, Melanie Marich, Kisaa Zehra, Farhan Rafid, and our host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz and Kylene Kiang. 
 
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

Will Europe boycott Israel?

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

The multiple fronts Ukraine’s women soldiers are battling

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