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 17, 2026 • 18min
She took on Britain’s Palestine Action ban. Then she won.
Huda Ammori, co-founder of Palestine Action and activist who organized direct actions against arms firms, talks about the effects of the proscription and the High Court ruling. She describes fear and legal fallout for supporters. She recounts prison treatment, targeted companies, media misinformation, and the government's planned appeal.
Feb 16, 2026 • 26min
'They tested a bomb on our village': Afghanistan’s ‘mother of all bombs’
Osama Bin Javaid, Al Jazeera correspondent known for frontline reporting, revisits Spingar where the 2017 GBU-43 strike hit. He describes the journey into the remote village. He discusses the bomb’s mechanics and blast effects. He recounts survivors’ evacuations and long-term damage to homes, health, livelihoods, and the lack of aid or accountability.
5 snips
Feb 15, 2026 • 7min
Brief: Ban on Palestine Action ruled unlawful in UK, Israel revokes residency of two Palestinians
Correspondent Reports: field journalists for Al Jazeera who report from Gaza, the UK and the West Bank. They cover a UK High Court ruling that found a ban on Palestine Action unlawful. They describe massive protests and arrests, the revocation of Jerusalem residency for two Palestinians and what losing an ID means. They also discuss settler land ownership moves and shifting control over holy sites.
Feb 14, 2026 • 17min
Another Take: The biggest rivalry in sport – India and Pakistan in cricket
Tabish Talib, a Pakistani reporter and on-the-ground fan, and Ashish Malhotra, a stadium reporter and cricket superfan, bring vivid match-day color. They recreate the pop-up stadium buzz. They describe diaspora watch parties, fans’ sacrifices, tense crowd divisions, the politics behind neutral venues, and the rollercoaster finish that left emotions raw.
Feb 13, 2026 • 25min
Inside India and Pakistan’s explosive cricket rivalry
Hafsa Adil, Al Jazeera sports journalist reporting on South Asian cricket politics. She walks through the near-cancellation of India vs Pakistan at the T20 World Cup. She recounts crisis-triggering events, tense negotiations that resolved the standoff, and how politics, governance, and fan culture shape this rivalry.
27 snips
Feb 12, 2026 • 26min
How deep do Epstein’s ties to Britain’s elite go?
Kieran Andrieu, political commentator and doctor of political economy who studies British power, unpacks links between Peter Mandelson and Jeffrey Epstein. He traces leaked files suggesting shared secrets. He examines Keir Starmer’s political fallout, why Labour stays united, and how figures like Nigel Farage might exploit the crisis. He frames Epstein as symptomatic of entrenched elite networks.
Feb 11, 2026 • 24min
Bangladesh's election tests the power of Gen Z
Tanvir Chowdhury, Al Jazeera correspondent covering Bangladesh’s political crisis, walks through the lead-up to a pivotal general election. He describes Gen Z energy at rallies. He outlines BNP and Jamaat-e tactics, concerns about social policies, the exclusion of the Awami League, the July Charter referendum, and regional ripple effects.
4 snips
Feb 10, 2026 • 24min
Jeffrey Epstein’s 'one single cause': Israel
Craig Mokhiber, an international human rights lawyer and former long-serving UN official, walks through newly released files about Jeffrey Epstein’s ties to Israel. He discusses Epstein’s access to UN circles, links to Israeli figures like Ehud Barak, and alleged role in fostering covert Israel-UAE cooperation. The conversation highlights how elite networks shape Middle East policy.
Feb 9, 2026 • 38min
Jamal Elshayyal: inside the war for journalism’s future
Jamal Elshayyal, Al Jazeera’s Director of Digital News Content and former frontline correspondent, shares his path from reporting the Arab Spring to shaping digital strategy. He discusses language and framing in coverage. He talks about social media’s rise and failings. He outlines plans for streaming, multilingual platforms, and cautious AI use while protecting editorial integrity.
5 snips
Feb 8, 2026 • 6min
Brief: Rafah traffic a trickle, HRW employees quit over suppressed report
Omar Shakir, former director of HRW's Israel and Palestine program who resigned over a halted report. Ibrahim al-Khalili, Al Jazeera correspondent reporting on returned Palestinian bodies and family identifications. Hind Khoudary, Al Jazeera reporter on-the-ground at Rafah covering restricted crossings and evacuations. They discuss limited Rafah access, delays and confusion at departure points, medical evacuations, returned bodies and resignations tied to a suppressed report.
