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 27, 2026 • 17min
Aaron Bushnell, Gaza and the meaning of ‘no longer complicit’
Lupe Barboza, an organizer who volunteered with Aaron Bushnell, shares firsthand memories of his activism and character. They discuss Aaron’s self-immolation in protest of Israel’s war in Gaza. Short segments cover how the livestream was found and verified, friends’ reactions, media framing, historical parallels, and online reverberations.
7 snips
Feb 26, 2026 • 22min
Is the US negotiating with Iran or preparing to strike?
Sina Toossi, a senior fellow who studies U.S.-Iran relations, offers a clear, concise read on the current standoff. He outlines why military buildup often accompanies talks. He discusses secrecy around Iran’s program and past strikes. He weighs Geneva diplomacy against the risk of escalation and describes how domestic protests shape state decisions.
Feb 25, 2026 • 22min
What El Mencho’s death means for Mexico’s cartels
Andalusia K Soloff, a journalist and filmmaker reporting on cartel violence and public security in Mexico, describes on-the-ground chaos after El Mencho’s death. She recounts narco blockades, how the cartel built power through violence and collusion, why killing a leader may fuel splintering, and how misinformation and AI images amplified panic.
10 snips
Feb 24, 2026 • 23min
What to expect from Trump’s State of the Union address
Amanda Becker, national reporter for The 19th covering politics, gender and LGBTQ issues, breaks down what to watch in Trump’s State of the Union. She previews foreign policy posturing, tariffs and legal battles. She explains Project 2025’s imprint on federal policy and details intensified immigration enforcement.
Feb 23, 2026 • 26min
Omar El Akkad on the West’s hypocrisy over Gaza
Omar El Akkad, writer and former journalist known for sharp novels and nonfiction. He critiques Western hypocrisy over Gaza. He reflects on ceasefire hopes, U.S. positioning as a peace broker, and how liberal moral posturing masks transactions. He examines officials’ reversals, Arab states’ constraints, and the lasting impact of resistance on younger generations.
Feb 22, 2026 • 6min
Brief: Palestinians in Gaza skeptical of Board of Peace, Israeli escalation in Lebanon
Zeina Khodr, Al Jazeera correspondent in southern Lebanon reporting on strikes and damaged farmland. Hani Mahmoud, Al Jazeera reporter in Gaza City sharing local reactions and conditions. Kimberly Halkett, Al Jazeera senior White House correspondent on Trump’s Board of Peace. Hind Khoudary, Al Jazeera correspondent in Gaza on humanitarian life during the ceasefire. They discuss skepticism about reconstruction, U.S. initiatives, and escalations in Lebanon.
10 snips
Feb 21, 2026 • 26min
Another Take: How Trump’s tariffs are changing the rules of global trade
Vina Nadjibulla, Vice President of Research and Strategy at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada and Asia policy expert. She breaks down the sudden, sweeping U.S. tariffs and the shock to markets. She explains the tariff formulas, who pays at the checkout, and how Asian economies like China, Vietnam and Cambodia are being reshaped. She also discusses reshoring limits and geopolitical ripple effects.
8 snips
Feb 20, 2026 • 24min
How are killer drones reshaping the conflict in Sudan?
Hiba Morgan, Al Jazeera correspondent reporting from Khartoum, shares front-line accounts of near-miss drone strikes and evolving tactics. She describes how drones erase front lines and imperil markets and hospitals. She discusses civilians adapting to constant threat, Ramadan under siege, widespread hunger, and the crushing reality of repeated displacement.
Feb 19, 2026 • 24min
Who made the cut on Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ and what they want
Ali Harb, Al Jazeera journalist in Washington covering Middle East politics and U.S. foreign policy. He breaks down the Board of Peace’s origins, who joined and who stayed away. He highlights the funding gap versus reconstruction needs. He contrasts grand redevelopment visions with Gaza’s on-the-ground realities.
10 snips
Feb 18, 2026 • 25min
Inside Israel’s plan to turn West Bank land into ‘state property’
Nida Ibrahim, Al Jazeera correspondent covering settlement expansion and land policy, breaks down Israel’s plan to reclassify West Bank land as state property. She explains the legal maze of Ottoman-era records and absentees. She examines how paperwork can entrench settlements, regional reactions, and the risks of incremental dispossession.
