The Take

Hamas has survived 500 days of relentless bombardment, defying Israel's repeated vows to destroy it. Despite its losses, including assassinations of prominent leaders, Hamas is intact, manning checkpoints, coordinating aid, and releasing Israeli captives. How does Hamas continue to endure? In this episode: Khaled Al-Hroub, Northwestern University in Qatar Professor and Author of “Hamas: A Beginners Guide” and “Hamas: Political Thought and Practice” Episode credits: This episode was produced by Ashish Malhotra, Tamara Khandaker, and Chloe K. Li  with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Melanie Marich, and our host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz.  The Take production team is Marcos Bartolomé, Sonia Bhagat, Spencer Cline, Sarí el-Khalili, Tamara Khandaker, Phillip Lanos, Chloe K. Li, Ashish Malhotra, Khaled Soltan, Amy Walters, and Noor Wazwaz. Our editorial interns are 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: A sixth exchange of captives and prisoners took place between Hamas and Israel. It is unclear what will happen to the next phase of the ceasefire plan. Israel is expected to extend its occupation of parts of southern Lebanon. It is day 499 of the war in Gaza, where more than 48,239 Palestinians have been killed. In this episode: Tareq Abu Azzoum, (@TareqAzzom) Al Jazeera Correspondent   Mohammed Haji, (@hxji99) Al Jazeera Producer Hamdah Salhut, (@hamdahsalhut) Al Jazeera Correspondent Zeina Khodr, (@ZeinakhodrAljaz) Al Jazeera Correspondent 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. At Al Jazeera Podcasts, we want to hear from you, our listeners. So, please head to https://www.aljazeera.com/survey and tell us your thoughts about this show and other Al Jazeera podcasts. It only takes a few minutes!

Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on April 7th, 2023. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed. Ukraine might not look like a good financial investment after a year at war with no end in sight, but Harvard, Saudi Arabia, a handful of oligarchs, and Vanguard Group see it differently. They are just a few of the investors who have been buying up Ukrainian land – and its rich, fertile soil – en masse, while many Ukrainian farmers argue it should stay in Ukrainian hands. In this episode:  Frederic Mousseau, Policy Director, Oakland Institute  Anuradha Mittal (@Mittaloak), Founder, Oakland Institute Lorina Fedorova, an expert on sustainable agriculture, Ekodiya Roman Gryshyna, CEO of Travelite MICE&Travel Ukraine Episode credits: This episode was updated by Amy Walters. The original production team was Amy Walters, Chloe K. Li, Miranda Lin, Khaled Soltan, and our host, Malika Bilal.  Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our engagement producers are Adam Abou-Gad and Vienna Maglio. Aya Elmileik is lead of audience engagement. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer, and Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Mohammed el-Kurd was first known for defending his home against Israeli settlers in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of Jerusalem. Now, he’s known globally for his writing about how the rest of the world perceives Palestinians. In his new book, he breaks down the ‘perfect victim’ myth and how it seeks to control the Palestinian narrative.  In this episode: Mohammed el-Kurd (@m7mdkurd), Author of ‘Perfect Victims: And the Politics of Appeal’ Episode credits: This episode was produced by Sarí el-Khalili, Sonia Bhagat, and Amy Walters with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Khaled Soltan, Melanie Marich, Hanah Shokeir, 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. We’ll be back. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Seizing land of its white citizens without compensation – that’s the claim US President Donald Trump has used to justify cutting off aid to South Africa, pointing to the recently passed Expropriation Act. His South African-born advisor, Elon Musk, has added fuel to the fire, accusing the country of having openly racist laws. But what’s really behind South African land reform? In this episode: Lebohang Pheko (@Liepollo9), Political Economist Episode credits: This episode was produced by Tamara Khandaker, Sonia Bhagat and Ashish Malhotra, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Chloe K. Li, Melanie Marich, Hanah Shokeir, Khaled Soltan and our 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

King Abdullah II of Jordan met United States President Donald Trump at a critical moment. With Jordan hosting more than two million Palestinian refugees, Trump’s plan to “own” Gaza and relocate its population puts the kingdom in a tough spot. Abdullah calls displacement a red line – but how much can he push back? In this episode: Nour Odeh (@nour_odeh), Senior Correspondent Episode credits: This episode was produced by Amy Walters, Sonia Bhagat, and Sarí el-Khalili with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Melanie Marich, Hanah Shokeir, Khaled Soltan 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

Iran is facing a changed Middle East as it marks the anniversary of the Islamic revolution. With weakened allies and growing tensions with Israel and the United States, how will Iran’s leadership approach the year ahead? In this episode: Dorsa Jabbari (@DorsaJabbari), Al Jazeera Correspondent Episode credits: This episode was produced by Khaled Soltan and Chloe K. Li, with Amy Walters, Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Hanah Shokeir, Melanie Marich, and our 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

Bad Bunny’s new album, Debi Tirar Mas Fotos, became the number-one streamed album worldwide. It mixes different Puerto Rican music genres and touches on themes of gentrification and a loss of cultural identity. How is the album bringing the Puerto Rican fight for survival to the world? In this episode: Jorell Meléndez-Badillo (@jorellmelendezb), Author of “Puerto Rico: A National History”   Episode credits: This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé with Hanah Shokeir, Hagir Saleh, Melanie Marich and our guest host, Natasha Del Toro. 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, and Amy Walters. Our editorial interns are Melanie Marich, Hagir Saleh and Hanah Shokeir. Our guest host is Natasha Del Toro. 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 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

As Israel’s war on Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria continues, we're coming to you on Sundays with a weekly roundup. This week: An exchange of captives and prisoners took place between Hamas and Israel, but not all Palestinians were allowed to return home. Israeli troops began what is expected to be a full withdrawal from the Netzarim Corridor. It is day 492 of the war in Gaza, where more than 48,181 Palestinians have been killed. In this episode: Hind Khoudary, (@Hind_Gaza), Al Jazeera Correspondent  Nour Odeh, (@nour_odeh) Al Jazeera Correspondent Hani Mahmoud, Al Jazeera Correspondent 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. At Al Jazeera Podcasts, we want to hear from you, our listeners. So, please head to https://www.aljazeera.com/survey and tell us your thoughts about this show and other Al Jazeera podcasts. It only takes a few minutes!

Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on November 6, 2023. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed. On the coast of the Mediterranean Sea lies Gaza, a land that insists on living. Gaza is currently facing a war like nothing its people have seen before, but its history stretches far longer. Today, a brief history of Gaza and its people, on its worst and best days. In this episode: Jehad Abusalim (@JehadAbusalim), The Jerusalem Fund for Education and Community Development Executive Director Episode credits: This episode was updated by Chloe K. Li and Tamara Khandaker. The original production team was Chloe K. Li, David Enders, Miranda Lin and Sarí el-Khalili, with our host Natasha Del Toro, in for Malika Bilal. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our engagement producers are Adam Abou-Gad and Vienna Maglio. Aya Elmileik is lead of audience engagement. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer, and Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Link mentioned in episode: The Take: The past, present, and future of Hamas Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

President Trump has again restated his plans of turning Gaza into a new Riviera. Where did this idea come from – and how feasible is it? In this episode: Sharif Abdel Kouddous (@sharifkouddous), Journalist and Editor at Drop Site News Episode credits: This episode was produced by Sarí el-Khalili, Sonia Bhagat, and Amy Walters with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Khaled Soltan, Melanie Marich, Hagir Saleh, Hanah Shokeir, and our 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

From booing at sports events to boycotting products, Canada is taking a sharp look at its neighbour to the south. United States President Donald Trump placed a 30-day pause on 25 percent tariffs on Canada after speaking with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. But what does the dispute reveal about the US and Canada’s shared future? In this episode: Stephen Marche (@StephenMarche), Journalist and Novelist Episode credits: And that’s the Take. This episode was produced by Tamara Khandaker, Sonia Bhagat, and Chloe K. Li, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Melanie Marich, Hagir Saleh, Hanah Shokeir, Khaled Soltan, and our 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

USAID, America’s lead aid agency, could also be nearing its end, after US President Donald Trump ordered a halt to foreign aid. Trump said the agency was run by "lunatics", while billionaire Elon Musk called it "criminal".The US provides $72bn to 180 countries – but that aid has come under criticism in the past. So, what would it mean to pull the plug on USAID? In this episode: Anuradha Mittal (@Mittaloak), executive director, Oakland Institute Episode credits: This episode was produced by Amy Walters, Sonia Bhagat, and Sarí el-Khalili, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Hagir Saleh, Khaled Soltan, Melanie Marich, Hanah Shokeir, 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

Once an al-Qaeda-affiliated fighter, Syria’s interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa now governs a nation in flux. He claims to be focused on stability, dissolving rebel groups and rebuilding institutions. His visit to Saudi Arabia signals shifting alliances and efforts to ease sanctions. But can he truly redefine Syria’s future – and what will it mean for the region? In this episode: Osama bin Javaid (@osamabinjavaid), Al Jazeera English, correspondent Episode credits: This episode was produced by Khaled Soltan and Tamara Khandaker, with Sarí el-Khalili, Hagir Saleh, Melanie Marich, Hanah Shokeir, and our host, Natasha Del Toro. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz and Sarí el-Khalili. 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

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is heading to the US to meet with President Donald Trump. This is the first White House invitation to a foreign leader after Trump retook office. What does their renewed alliance mean for the world and for Gaza? In this episode: Ali Harb (@Harbpeace), Al Jazeera Journalist Episode credits: This episode was produced by Tamara Khandaker, Ashish Malhotra, and Chloe K. Li with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Hagir Saleh, Melanie Marich, and our guest 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 Melanie Marich, Hagir Saleh 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 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

Every weekend, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on July 19, 2021. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed. The world’s richest man, Jeff Bezos, is heading to space on his own spaceship on July 20th – though he’s already been upstaged by another billionaire space tour. Where the global space race was once decided by the wealth of nations, now its future is increasingly determined by ultra-wealthy individuals worth more than many countries. Their pursuit of space could put new resources in reach, and it’s reshaping the laws of outer space – at least, the ones made by humans. In this episode: Lucianne Walkowicz (@RocketToLulu), Astronomer at the Adler Planetarium and Co-Founder of Just Space Alliance (@JustSpaceOrg) Lisa Ruth Rand (@orbital_decay), Assistant Professor at the California Institute of Technology Episode credits: This episode was updated by Chloe K. Li and Sarí el-Khalili. The original production team was Alexandra Locke, with our host Malika Bilal. 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

Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on September 26, 2023. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed. A US federal court has indicted New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez and his wife Nadine on corruption-related charges. The couple have reportedly accepted gold bars and hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash in exchange for providing sensitive information about US foreign policy and other favors for Egyptian officials. It’s not the first time Menendez, who heads the Senate’s foreign relations committee, has been accused of corruption — but the detailed nature of the charges this time could be much more damning. In this episode: Ali Harb (@Harbpeace), Al Jazeera English Journalist Episode credits: This episode was updated by Chloe K. Li and Sarí el-Khalili. The original production team was David Enders and Khaled Soltan, with our guest host Kevin Hirten.  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

A new AI rival from China is shaking up Silicon Valley. DeepSeek matches ChatGPT’s power but says it was built faster and for a fraction of the cost. How did they do it, and what comes next? In this episode: Caiwei Chen (@CaiweiC), reporter, MIT Technology Review Episode credits: This episode was produced by Sarí el-Khalili, Sonia Bhagat, and Amy Walters, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Melanie Marich, Hagir Saleh, Hanah Shokeir, 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

Bodies are lining the streets of Goma, and hospitals are overwhelmed after an escalation in the long-simmering conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The Rwandan-backed M23 group claims it took control of the city, and the DRC has called it a declaration of war by Rwanda. But why is Rwanda involved and what are its interests? In this episode: Kambale Musavuli (@kambale), Analyst, Center for Research on the Congo Episode credits: This episode was produced by Ashish Malhotra, Sonia Bhagat, and Chloe K. Li with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Hagir Saleh, Hanah Shokeir, Melanie Marich, Noor Wazwaz and our guest host, Kevin Hirten.  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

Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro is facing a critical moment. Violence near the Venezuelan border, a state of emergency, and US deportation flights have tested his leadership. Can Petro hold onto power and regain the trust of a divided nation? In this episode: Christina Noriega (@c_mnoriega), Journalist Episode credits: This episode was produced by Amy Walters, Sonia Bhagat, and Sarí el-Khalili with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Hagir Saleh, Melanie Marich, and Hanah Shokeir, and our 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

After a long-awaited ceasefire, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians return to find their homes in ruins. As they face the overwhelming task of rebuilding their lives, what happens next? In this episode:  Maram Humaid (@MaramGaza), Al Jazeera Journalist Episode credits: This episode was produced by Khaled Soltan and Ashish Malhotra with Sonia Bhagat, Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Hagir Saleh, Melanie Marich, Hanah Shokeir, and me, 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

‘Drill, baby, drill’ is the new refrain of President Donald Trump’s second term. As Trump pulls out of the Paris Accords – again – The Take speaks with activist Tori Tsui on getting back into the fight and managing climate anxiety. In this episode: Tori Tsui (@toritsui), Climate Activist Episode credits: This episode was produced by Tamara Khandaker, Sonia Bhagat, and Chloe K. Li, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Hagir Saleh, Melanie Marich, Amy Walters, Hanah Shokeir, and our host, Kevin Hirten, in for Malika Bilal. 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, and Amy Walters. Our editorial interns are Melanie Marich, Hagir Saleh 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 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. Correction Jan. 27, 2025: A statement indicated that the Israeli military emitted more carbon through bombing Gaza in the first two months of 2023 than 33 countries combined. That figure is incorrect. Emissions exceeded those of more than 20 countries. 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: A second exchange of captives and prisoners took place between Hamas and Israel. Israeli troops opened fire on Palestinians in Gaza. Israel said it would delay its scheduled withdrawal from south Lebanon. It is day 478 of the war in Gaza, where more than 47,107 Palestinians have been killed. In this episode: Tareq Abu Azzoum, (@TareqAzzom) Al Jazeera Correspondent  Zeina Khodr, (@ZeinakhodrAljaz) Al Jazeera Correspondent 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. At Al Jazeera Podcasts, we want to hear from you, our listeners. So, please head to https://www.aljazeera.com/survey and tell us your thoughts about this show and other Al Jazeera podcasts. It only takes a few minutes!

Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on August 11, 2021. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed. One year after a contested election and many protests, the movement to free Belarus from President Alexander Lukashenko has boiled over into neighboring states. This also means Belarusians around the world might fear the long arm of Lukashenko’s rule. Olympic sprinter Krystsina Tsimanouskaya was quick to escape, but others faced a tragic end. What is happening in Belarus and how much power does Lukashenko hold beyond its borders? In this episode:  Krystsina Tsimanouskaya, Belarusian Olympic Sprinter Step Vassen, Al Jazeera Correspondent Hanna Liubakova (@HannaLiubakova), Journalist, Non-Resident Fellow at The Atlantic Council (@AtlanticCouncil) Episode credits: This episode was updated by Sarí el-Khalili. The original production team was Amy Walters, Dina Kesbeh, Alexandra Locke, Negin Owleie, Priyanka Tilve, Ney Alvarez, Tom Fenton, and our host, Malika Bilal. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our engagement producers are Adam Abou-Gad and Vienna Maglio. Aya Elmileik is lead of audience engagement. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer, and Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

There is no ceasefire in the occupied West Bank. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the start of a “large-scale military operation” in Jenin targeting a hospital and refugee camp. Meanwhile, a new US administration has endorsed Israel’s “biblical dominion” and lifted sanctions on settlers. What does this new escalation mean for Palestinians, and what might come next? In this episode:  Zena Tahhan (@zenatahhan), Journalist Episode credits: This episode was produced by Sarí el-Khalili, Sonia Bhagat, and Amy Walters with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Khaled Soltan, Marcos Bartolome, Melanie Marich, Hagir Saleh, Hanah Shokeir, and our 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

Mass deportations, trade threats and revived border policies. Trump’s return puts Mexico on edge. How are these plans being felt on the ground, and what’s being done to prepare? In this episode:  Julia Galiano (@juliagaliano), Journalist Episode credits: This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé, Sonia Bhagat, Khaled Soltan and Tamara Khandaker with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Hagir Saleh, Melanie Marich, Hanah Shokeir, 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

Expansions of illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank are proceeding at a record pace, and in the US town of Teaneck, New Jersey, some residents are organizing to fight real estate sales to American Jews. It’s set off accusations of anti-Semitism and ratcheted up tension in the small community. What’s next for Teaneck? In this episode:  Rich Siegel, Teaneck resident Episode credits: This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé, Duha Mossad, Hagir Saleh, Cole van Miltenburg and our host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Sarí El-Khalili. 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

From declaring an emergency on the US-Mexico border to announcing that the US will retake the Panama Canal, Donald Trump introduced several bold proposals in his inaugural address. Now, as he enters his second term, what might the Trump world order look like? In this episode: Trita Parsi (@tparsi), Executive Vice President, The Quincy Institute Episode credits: This episode was produced by Ashish Malhotra, Sonia Bhagat, Amy Walters, Chloe K. Li and Khaled Soltan with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Hagir Saleh, Melanie Marich, Hanah Shokeir and our 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

Just hours before President Trump’s second term begins, many immigrants face uncertainty. Trump has pledged to use law enforcement, the military, and federal agencies for mass deportations, along with ending birthright citizenship, and reversing outgoing president Joe Biden’s border policies. What does this mean for immigrants who’ve built a life in the US? In this episode:  Maribel Hernandez Rivera, Director of Policy and Government Affairs, Border and Immigration at the American Civil Liberties Union  Episode credits: This episode was produced by Amy Walters, Sonia Bhagat, and Sarí el-Khalili with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Hagir Saleh, Marcos Bartolomé, Melanie Marich, Hanah Shokeir, and our guest host, Kevin Hirten.  The Take production team is Marcos Bartolomé, Sonia Bhagat, Spencer Cline, Sarí el-Khalili, Tamara Khandaker, Phillip Lanos, Chloe K. Li, Ashish Malhotra, Khaled Soltan, and Amy Walters. Our editorial interns are Melanie Marich, Hagir Saleh, 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: A ceasefire began in Gaza Sunday morning after a brief delay. Palestinians in Gaza responded by celebrating, and in many cases, attempting to return to their homes. It is day 471 of the war in Gaza, where at least 46,899 Palestinians have been killed. In this episode: Hani Mahmoud, Al Jazeera Correspondent Hind Al Khoudary, (@Hind_Gaza), Al Jazeera Correspondent  Stefanie Dekker, (@StefanieDekker) Al Jazeera Correspondent Moath Al Kahlout, (@kahlaout_moath) Al Jazeera Correspondent 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. At Al Jazeera Podcasts, we want to hear from you, our listeners. So, please head to https://www.aljazeera.com/survey and tell us your thoughts about this show and other Al Jazeera podcasts. It only takes a few minutes!

Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on May 20, 2024. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed. 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 updated by Tamara Khandaker The original production team was Tamara Khandaker, Fahrinisa Campana, Manahil Naveed, Tabish Talib, and our host, Malika Bilal. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editor is Hisham Abu Salah. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer, and Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

From embracing Zionism as a Holocaust survivor to becoming a vocal critic of Israeli policies, renowned doctor and author Gabor Maté reflects on the evolution in his thinking, on trauma as a driving force behind Zionism and Israel, and on how collective Jewish trauma has been exploited by Israel to justify its war in Gaza. In this episode: Gabor Mate (@DrGaborMate), Physician and Author Episode credits: This episode was produced by Tamara Khandaker and Sonia Bhagat, with Noor Wazwaz, Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Hagir Saleh, Melanie Marich, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Alexandra Locke.  Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohanned 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

Hamas and Israel have agreed to a ceasefire set to start on Sunday. The deal includes humanitarian aid to Gaza, Israel’s gradual withdrawal, the release of Israeli captives, and a Palestinian prisoner release. As Palestinians in Gaza hope to leave 15 months of devastation behind, can this agreement hold or is it another fragile promise? In this episode: Diana Buttu (@dianabuttu), Human Rights Lawyer and Analyst Episode credits: This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé, Sonia Bhagat, Chloe K. Li, Sarí el-Khalili, and Khaled Soltan with Philip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Hanah Shokeir, Melanie Marich and our host Malika Bilal. 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

Impeachment proceedings against suspended South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol are in full swing. Authorities have made a second attempt to detain him over his brief martial law declaration, but he remains holed up in his fortified residence, backed by supporters waving US flags and “Stop the Steal” banners. So, what lies ahead for South Korea? In this episode: Se-Woong Koo, managing editor of Korea Exposé Episode credits: This episode was produced by Sarí el-Khalili, Sonia Bhagat, and Amy Walters, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Melanie Marich, Hagir Saleh, and our host, Kevin Hirten, in for Malika Bilal.  Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad Al-Melhemm. 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

Lebanon has elected a president and a new prime minister after two years of deadlock. But who are Joseph Aoun and Nawaf Salam, and what's next for Lebanon? In this episode: Nader Durgham (@NaderDurgham), Journalist, Middle East Eye Episode credits: This episode was produced by Khaled Soltan and Ashish Malhotra with Marcos Bartolomé, Hagir Saleh, Melanie Marich and our host, Malika Bilal.  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

In a dramatic reversal, Meta has axed its fact-checking program – the latest signalling of Big Tech bowing to incoming president Donald Trump. What does this mean for the spread of misinformation in the US and globally, and for Trump’s control over information in his second term? In this episode:  Paris Marx (@parismarx) Host, Tech Won’t Save Us Episode credits: This episode was produced by Ashish Malhotra, Sonia Bhagat, and Tamara Khandaker with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Melanie Marich, Hagir Saleh, and our host Malika Bilal. 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, and Amy Walters. Our editorial interns are Melanie Marich and Hagir Saleh. Our host is Malika Bilal. 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. We’ll be back tomorrow. 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: Israel attacked displaced Palestinians in Gaza. The UN said Israel continues to block aid. Israeli troops were ordered to stop posting on social media. Palestinian filmmakers have been shortlisted for an Oscar nomination. Today is Sunday, January 12. It is day 464 of the war in Gaza, where at least 46,537 Palestinians have been killed. In this episode: Moath Al Kahlout, (@kahlout_moath) Al Jazeera Correspondent  Hamdah Salhut, (@hamdahsalhut) Al Jazeera Correspondent Richard Gizbert, (@rgizbert1) Al Jazeera Correspondent Kristen Saloomey, (@ksaloomey) Al Jazeera Correspondent  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. At Al Jazeera Podcasts, we want to hear from you, our listeners. So, please head to https://www.aljazeera.com/survey and tell us your thoughts about this show and other Al Jazeera podcasts. It only takes a few minutes!

Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on September 24, 2021. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed. A lot of Canadians are frustrated with the 600-million-dollar pandemic election that took place earlier this week, and resulted in an almost identical parliament. But the five weeks of electioneering did raise a lot of issues and highlight some trends that could define Canada’s future. In this episode: Fatima Syed (@fatimabsyed), Journalist Episode credits: The original production team was Priyanka Tilve with Ney Alvarez, Ruby Zaman, Alexandra Locke, Negin Owliaei, Dina Kesbeh, Amy Walters, Tom Fenton, Stacey Samuel and our host, Malika Bilal.  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, and Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

The fires burning through Los Angeles now are already the worst in the history of California, a state known for its wildfires. Thousands have lost their homes, and nearly 180,000 have been forced to evacuate. What is it like to be in the city on fire?  In this episode: Manuel Rápalo (@Manuel_Rapalo), Journalist, Los Angeles Mona Holmes (@monaeats), Eater LA reporter  Episode credits: This episode was produced by Amy Walters, Sonia Bhagat, Chloe K. Li and Tamara Khandaker with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Melanie Marich, and our host, Malika Bilal.   Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editor is 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

At the end of a six-day funeral service, former US President Jimmy Carter will be laid to rest next to his wife in his hometown of Plains, Georgia. The 39th president died at 100 years old on December 29. How did his legacy impact the world? In this episode: Hamid Dabashi (@DabashiHamid), Professor of Literature, Columbia University  Shawan Jabarin (@SJabaren), General Director, Al-Haq Episode credits: This episode was produced by Chloe K. Li, Miranda Lin with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Hagir Saleh, Khaled Soltan, Melanie Marich, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Alexandra Locke. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editor is 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

The Palestinian Authority is intensifying operations in the occupied West Bank, with violent crackdowns in Jenin and efforts to silence dissent, including shutting down Al Jazeera’s bureau. What’s driving this escalation? In this episode: Dalia Hatuqa (@DaliaHatuqa), Journalist Episode credits: This episode was produced by Amy Walters, Sonia Bhagat, Ashish Malhotra, and Sarí el-Khalili with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Hagir Saleh, Melanie Marich, and our host, Malika Bilal.  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 Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Identity politics has become a defining buzzword in US politics, coming under fire for being a type of political representation without real change. But what was the intention of the people who first came up with the term – and what kind of power does that original intention wield today? In this episode:  Olufemi Taiwo, Political Philosopher, @olufemiotaiwo.bsky.social   Episode credits: This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé, with Manny Panaretos, Hagir Saleh, Duha Mosaad, and our host, Kevin Hirten. 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 Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

As 2025 unfolds, the world faces significant shifts. From climate crises in West Africa to continuing wars in Gaza and Sudan, Al Jazeera correspondents share their insights on the key events and challenges shaping the year ahead. In this episode:  Kimberly Halkett (@KimberlyHalkett), Al Jazeera White House Correspondent  Dorsa Jabarri (@DorsaJabbari), Al Jazeera Correspondent  John Holman (@Johnhiolman100), Al Jazeera Mexico and Latin America Correspondent  Nicolas Haque (@NicolasHaque), Al Jazeera Correspondent   Tony Cheng (@tlcbkk), Al Jazeera Asia Correspondent  Maram Humaid (@maramgaza), Al Jazeera Digital Correspondent  Episode credits: This episode was produced by Ashish Malhotra and Chloe K. Li with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline and Malika Bilal.  The Take production team is Marcos Bartolomé, Sonia Bhagat, Spencer Cline, Sarí el-Khalili, Tamara Khandaker, Phillip Lanos, Chloe K. Li, Ashish Malhotra, Khaled Soltan, and Amy Walters. Our editorial intern is Hagir Saleh. Our host is Malika Bilal. 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 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. We’ll be back tomorrow. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, 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: Israeli attacks in Gaza kill nearly 200 in three days. The Palestinian Authority has banned Al Jazeera from operating in the occupied West Bank. The Biden administration approves more arms for Israel. Syria is set to resume international flights from Damascus. It is day 457 of the war in Gaza, where at least 45,717 Palestinians have been killed. In this episode: Hani Mahmoud, Al Jazeera Correspondent  Hamdah Salhut, (@hamdahsalhut) Al Jazeera Correspondent Alan Fisher, (@AlanFisher) Al Jazeera Correspondent  Hashem Ahelbarra, (@hashemahel) Al Jazeera Correspondent  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. At Al Jazeera Podcasts, we want to hear from you, our listeners. So, please head to https://www.aljazeera.com/survey and tell us your thoughts about this show and other Al Jazeera podcasts. It only takes a few minutes!

Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on July 4, 2024. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed. Locals are fighting to reclaim their city from tourism in a mass demonstration in Barcelona on July 6. The tourism boom has impacted local life, housing, and culture, pushing the city to the brink.  In this episode:  Carme Arcarazo (@carmearcarazo), Speaker of Barcelona’s tenant union (@sindicatlloguer), housing researcher at La Hidra  Episode credits: This episode was updated by Tamara Khandaker. The original production team was Marcos Bartolomé, Amy Walters, Mohammed Zain Shafi Khan, Manahil Naveed, Veronique Eshaya, Ashish Malhotra, Duha Mossad, and our host, Malika Bilal. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editor is Hisham Abu Salah. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer, and Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio.  

As the year wraps up, we're looking back at ten of the episodes that defined our year at The Take. This originally aired on October 22. None of the dates, titles, or other references have been changed. Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar and Ismail Haniyeh were killed by Israel, leaving the group to debate a successor. And, as Israel’s war on Gaza continues, questions remain about what lies ahead for Gaza’s leadership and its people. In this episode:  Diana Buttu (@dianabuttu), Lawyer and Al-Shabaka Board Member Episode credits: This episode was produced by Khaled Soltan, Chloe K. Li, and Sarí el-Khalili with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Mohannad Al-Melhem, Cole Van Miltenburg, Duha Mosaad, Hagir Saleh, and our host, Malika Bilal.  Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editor is Hisham Abu Salah. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik. Munera Al Dosari, Vienna Maglio and Adam Abou-Gad are our engagement producers. 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

As the year wraps up, we're looking back at ten of the episodes that defined our year at The Take. This originally aired on October 1. None of the dates, titles, or other references have been changed. As conflict with Israel intensifies, Lebanon is in shock with more than a million people displaced after orders from Israel for ‘evacuation’. How have people relied on each other – and what do they do when there is nowhere safe to go? In this episode: Sally Abou AlJoud (@JoudSally), Journalist, L'Orient Today Episode credits: This episode was produced by Amy Walters and Sarí el-Khalili with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Mohannad Al-Melhem, Duha Mosaad, Hagir Saleh, Cole van Miltenberg and our host Malika Bilal. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Joe Plourde mixed this update. 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 Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

As the year wraps up, we're looking back at ten of the episodes that defined our year at The Take. This originally aired on September 30. None of the dates, titles, or other references have been changed. What does it mean for the world to forget your country? In Sudan’s civil war, a surprise push by the army could break the RSF’s hold on Khartoum. For Sudanese forced to flee their homeland, the journey is far from over. One woman shares her take on the world’s indifference to a conflict that has faded from the attention of many, and the hope she refuses to give up on for Sudan’s future.  In this episode:   Dallia Abdelmoniem (@dalliasd), Political Analyst & Commentator Episode credits: This episode was produced by Tamara Khandaker, Sonia Bhagat, and Ashish Malhotra, with Spencer Cline, Phillip Lanos, Hagir Saleh, Duha Mosaad, Cole van Miltenberg, Mohannad Al-Melhem, and our host Malika Bilal. Our engagement producers are Adam Abou-Gad and Vienna Maglio. Aya Elmileik is lead of audience engagement. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Joe Plourde mixed this update. 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 Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

As the year wraps up, we're looking back at ten of the episodes that defined 2024 at The Take. This originally aired on September 3. None of the dates, titles, or other references have been changed. Despite fraud claims and international condemnation, Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro remains defiant, a month after a disputed election. He has ramped up repression, arresting thousands, including journalists and activists. Will Maduro withstand the wave of opposition, or will this be a moment of change? In this episode:  Anneke Ball (@annekeball), Journalist Episode credits: This episode was produced by Tamara Khandaker, Sarí el-Khalili, Sonia Bhagat, and Khaled Soltan, with Duha Mosaad, Shraddha Joshi, Hagir Saleh, Philip Lanos, Hisham Abu Salah, Mohannad Al-Melhem, and our host Malika Bilal.  Special thanks to Dana Ballout, Angelique Molina, and Yousef Abdel Nabi.  Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Joe Plourde mixed this update. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik. Munera Al Dosari and Adam Abou-Gad are our engagement producers. 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

As the year wraps up, we're looking back at ten of the episodes that defined 2024 at The Take. This originally aired on November 21. None of the dates, titles, or other references have been changed. A new phase in the Russia-Ukraine war is continuing to escalate. Ukraine sent US and UK-made missiles into Russia this week, while the Kremlin has loosened its policy for using nuclear weapons. Where does the war go from here? In this episode:  Yulia Shapovalova, Al Jazeera Correspondent Episode credits: This episode was produced by Ashish Malhotra, Sonia Bhagat, and Chloe K. Li with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Cole Van Miltenburg, Duha Mosaad, Hagir Saleh and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Alexandra Locke.  Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Joe Plourde mixed this update. 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 Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube