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
Apr 4, 2026 • 22min
Another Take: The meaning of Easter in Palestine
Reverend Dr. Munther Isaac, Evangelical Lutheran pastor and Bethlehem Bible College dean, reflects on Palestinian Christian life under occupation. He recalls growing up during the intifada. He discusses shrinking Christian communities, restricted access to holy sites, threats to Gaza’s Christians, and the meaning of Good Friday as solidarity with the oppressed.
Apr 3, 2026 • 23min
Palestine 36: A film about a revolt that nearly changed history
Annemarie Jacir, Palestinian filmmaker and writer behind Palestine 36, blends personal family memory with historical cinema. She explores the 1936 Palestinian revolt, British colonial legacies, recreating 1930s villages on location, archival footage, and the production challenges and politics of screening the film today.
8 snips
Apr 1, 2026 • 16min
Who’s in charge in Iran after leadership strikes?
Ali Hashem, Senior Al Jazeera correspondent in Tehran, gives on-the-ground context about Iran’s leadership after deadly strikes. He describes how daily life has shifted and why the system is more compartmentalized than centered on one strongman. He profiles figures like Abbas Araqchi, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Mujtaba Khamenei and flags who might be at risk next.
4 snips
Apr 1, 2026 • 23min
Why Iran says its universities are being targeted
Setareh Sadeqi, assistant professor at the University of Tehran and commentator on Iranian higher education. She recounts strikes in Isfahan and civilian responses. She maps a pattern of attacks on universities and research sites. She describes shifts to online teaching, threats to scientific and medical facilities, and regional risks to campuses.
11 snips
Mar 31, 2026 • 23min
Why Iran believes it can outlast the US
Alex Vatanka, a senior Middle East analyst focused on Iran, explains why Tehran believes it can endure this war. He discusses how the conflict shifted power toward hardliners and the IRGC. He examines Iran’s command-and-control, risks of overconfidence, leverage like the Strait of Hormuz, and what demands might end the fighting.
10 snips
Mar 30, 2026 • 21min
What is the 'Greater Israel' project?
Nour Odeh, Al Jazeera correspondent based in Ramallah, offers on-the-ground analysis of the Greater Israel ideology. She outlines its roots in Zionist thought and post-1967 expansionism. She discusses settlement growth, tactics in occupied territories, and how recent events and political shifts have mainstreamed territorial ambitions.
7 snips
Mar 29, 2026 • 7min
Brief: Houthis launch attacks on Israel, Israeli soldiers accused of torturing toddler
Hani Mahmoud, Al Jazeera correspondent in Gaza City reporting on the humanitarian crisis. Nida Ibrahim, Al Jazeera correspondent covering Houthi missile activity and regional security. Tohid Asadi, Al Jazeera correspondent in Iran on the airstrike campaign. They discuss Houthi attacks on Israel, threats to maritime routes, damage to Gaza’s water infrastructure, expanded operations in Lebanon, and allegations of harm to a toddler.
Mar 28, 2026 • 23min
Another Take: The Chagos Islands, the UK and the US
Clive Baldwin, Senior Legal Advisor at Human Rights Watch who led the Chagos report, explains how the UK and US displaced Chagossians and turned the islands into a military base. He recounts archival evidence of racist motives. He outlines the long legal fight, international rulings, and calls for reparations and a right of return.
10 snips
Mar 27, 2026 • 22min
How close is the US to a quagmire in Iran?
Alex Gatopoulos, Al Jazeera defence editor with deep knowledge of military strategy, breaks down U.S. troop movements and limited ground options near Iran. He maps seizure scenarios and escalating risks. He explains why air power alone cannot topple governments and how Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz shifts regional leverage.
12 snips
Mar 26, 2026 • 21min
Why Iraq is the most fragile front in the US-Israel war on Iran
Abdulla Hawez, a researcher on Iraq and Iran with on-the-ground analysis, breaks down who holds power in Iraq and the tangled roles of Shia, Sunni and Kurdish factions. He traces post-election paralysis, U.S. influence over oil revenues, Iran-backed militias' reach, and how strikes have turned Iraq into a multi-actor battlefield. He also outlines the economic strain and risks of deepening fragmentation.
