The Take

Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi's death in a helicopter crash sparks uncertainty in Iran. The aftermath explores legacy, political transition, and internal challenges post-Raisi. Discussions on appointing acting president & foreign minister and analyzing Iran's political landscape and recent developments.

The Darien Gap is a dangerous stretch of jungle on a strip of land that connects North and South America. In recent years, stricter Central American border policies have driven hundreds of thousands of people to make this treacherous trek. The number of children among them has skyrocketed. We follow one family as they navigate the crossing. In this episode:  John Holman (@johnholman100), Al Jazeera English Correspondent Episode credits: This episode was produced by Tamara Khandaker and Fahrinisa Campana, with Manahil Navid, Catherine Nouhan, Tabish Talal, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Alexandra Locke. The Take production team is Amy Walters, Ashish Malhotra, Catherine Nouhan, Chloe K. Li, David Enders, Duha Mosaad, Khaled Soltan, Manahil Naveed, Marcos Bartolomé, Sarí el-Khalili, Sonia Bhagat, Tabish Talib, Tamara Khandaker, and Zaina Badr. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan.  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

Israeli politician Hani Mahmo and other experts discuss the ongoing conflict in Gaza, US military aid approval, mounting pressure on Benjamin Netanyahu, civilian casualties, approval of weapons by the White House, challenges in aid delivery to Gaza, fuel shortages, limited hospital capacity, and international legal repercussions.

An in-depth undercover investigation reveals connections between the NRA and Australia's far right. The podcast explores controversial discussions within the gun lobby, infiltration tactics, political connections, financial support, and the aftermath of a documentary release.

Technology journalist Nilesh Christopher discusses the impact of deepfake technology on India's elections, from resurrecting dead leaders to AI-generated political content. They explore the use of deepfakes in shaping voter perception, personalized AI outreach by politicians, collaboration with deep fake service providers, and the use of AI voice cloning for multilingual outreach in Indian politics.

Ahmed Shihab-Eldin, a journalist, and Dr. Marcus Collins, Assistant Professor of Marketing, discuss the 'Blockout 2024' movement targeting celebrities on social media. They explore the impact of blocking celebrities, analyze the consequences, and discuss the call for accountability in the digital age. The podcast delves into celebrities facing backlash for their social media controversies and the broader implications for social movements.

Dr. Ghassan Abu-Sittah treated patients at hospitals all throughout Gaza shortly after October 7. Last month, he was blocked from entering much of Europe to share what he saw. He has now won a legal battle challenging that travel ban. On the 76th anniversary of the Nakba, he explains his fight to share what he saw in Gaza.  In this episode:  Dr. Ghassan Abu-Sittah (@GhassanAbuSitt1), Reconstructive Surgeon  Episode credits: This episode was produced by Chloe K. Li and Sonia Bhagat with our host Malika Bilal. Tabish Talib and Catherine Nouhan 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. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera's head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Al Jazeera Correspondent Yulia Shapovalova discusses Georgia's proposed 'foreign agents' law causing mass protests. The bill aims to regulate organizations with foreign funding, sparking concerns about the country's sovereignty and alignment with Russia or the EU. The podcast explores the political landscape, democratic struggles, and Georgia's complex relationship with Russia amid escalating tensions.

International Correspondent Hind Hassan discusses the US involvement in funding illegal Jewish settlements in the West Bank, highlighting the role of dual nationals. The podcast explores settler violence against Palestinians, disparities in resources between settlements and Palestinian villages, and the motivations of American dual nationals living in the West Bank.

As Israel’s war on Gaza continues, we're coming to you on Sundays with a weekly roundup. This week: Palestinians in north and south Gaza were fleeing increased Israeli bombardment. The US stopped delivery of some munitions to Israel. Another mass grave has been uncovered. It is day 219 of the war. At least 35,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed. In this episode: Akram Al Satarri, Journalist in Gaza Hani Mahmoud, Al Jazeera Correspondent Tareq Abu Azzoum, (@TareqAzzom), Al Jazeera Correspondent Patty Culhane, (@PattyCulhane), Al Jazeera Correspondent Hamdah Salhut, (@hamdahsalhut), 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 Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube