The Take

Daniel Levy, President of the U.S. Middle East Project and former Israeli negotiator, dives deep into Israel's political landscape as Prime Minister Netanyahu faces intense protests and significant political turmoil. They discuss how Netanyahu's attempts to consolidate power amidst a ceasefire are influencing military strategies and internal governance. The implications of Netanyahu's corruption trial, and its impact on his leadership, further complicate the current crisis, all while Palestinian rights are overshadowed in the turmoil.

Justin Yarga, a freelance journalist with experience in Burkina Faso, delves into the eerie world of ‘ghost reporters’ crafting pro-Russian narratives in West Africa. He unravels the mystery of Gregoire Dongobada, a deceptive figure whose identity ties back to a deceased schoolteacher. The conversation sheds light on the shifting sentiments from French colonial influence to an embrace of Russian propaganda post-coup. Yarga shares insights on media manipulation tactics, stressing the crucial need for critical engagement and verification in today’s information landscape.

Tensions escalate as Israel intensifies airstrikes in Gaza and Lebanon, issuing new evacuation orders for civilians. The situation grows dire with skyrocketing casualties, including a notable Hamas leader's death. Controversial plans for the removal of Palestinians spark heated debate, linking to past U.S. proposals amidst growing humanitarian crises. The conflict's impact on regional stability and Israel's economy looms large, including damage to critical infrastructure. It's a complex landscape of military responses and dire human conditions.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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