The Take

Interest in tax resistance is spiking in the US, ahead of the April 15 deadline when most Americans’ tax bills will come due. How many of them know where those tax dollars go, and how much of those taxes fund wars around the world? In this episode: Lindsay Koshgarian (@lindsaykosh), Program Director of the National Priorities Project at the Institute for Policy Studies Episode credits: This episode was produced by David Enders and Fahrinisa Campana with our host Natasha Del Toro, in for Malika Bilal. Zaina Badr and Sonia Bhagat 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

In Gaza, Palestinian Muslims celebrate the Eid al-Fitr holiday while enduring the ongoing violence and starvation of Israel’s war. We revisit memories from the Ramadan season one year ago to see what has changed and what remains. In this episode: Maram Humaid (@MaramGaza), Al Jazeera Journalist Banias Humaid, Daughter of Maram Humaid Siham Abu Shaaban, Displaced Palestinian in Gaza Episode credits: This episode was produced by Sarí el-Khalili and Khaled Soltan with our host Natasha Del Toro, in for Malika Bilal. Sonia Bhagat, Catherine Nouhan, and Manahil Naveed 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

South Korea’s First Lady has been surrounded by scandal since before her husband, Yoon Suk-yeol, was elected president in 2022. Most recently, she’s come under fire after a secretly-recorded video showed her accepting a lavish gift from a controversial pastor. Will the Dior bag scandal affect the ruling party in Wednesday’s parliamentary elections? In this episode: Raphael Rashid (@koryodynasty), Freelance Journalist Episode credits: This episode was produced by Fahrinisa Campana and Chloe K. Li with our host Natasha Del Toro. Zaina Badr and Sonia Bhagat 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

Jair Bolsonaro, facing legal troubles at home, is looking for help abroad. Since his passport was seized earlier this year, the former Brazilian president has spent the night in the Hungarian Embassy in Brazil and requested his passport to visit Israel. What's behind his transnational relationships? In this episode: Guilherme Casarões (@GCasaroes), Political Scientist, Getulio Vargas Foundation Episode credits: This episode was produced by Negin Owliaei with our host Malika Bilal. Miranda Lin, Zaina Badr, and Manahil Naveed 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

As Israel’s war on Gaza continues, we're coming to you on Sundays with a weekly roundup. This week: US President Joe Biden said an immediate ceasefire was necessary in Gaza, where people were preparing for the end of Ramadan. Israel's further use of AI in choosing military targets was revealed. It is day 184 of the war. At least 33,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed. In this episode: Kimberly Halkett (@KimberlyHalkett), Al Jazeera Correspondent Akram Al Satarri, Freelance journalist Hind Al Khoudary (@Hind_Gaza), Journalist for Al Jazeera 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      

Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on September 11th, 2023. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed. Spain won a historic victory at the Women’s World Cup, marking the country’s first-ever win. But in the weeks since, there’s been nothing but controversy. On Sunday, that culminated in a highly-publicized resignation from head of the Spanish football federation, Luis Rubiales. Calls for him to resign first started after he gave an unwanted kiss to player Jenni Hermoso at the World Cup. Now, with all eyes on Spanish football, how much further can Spain’s women's football players get to scoring proper treatment? In this episode: Gemma Soler (@gemma_soler), Sports Journalist Episode credits: This episode was updated by Amy Walters. The original production team was Chloe K. Li, with Ashish Malhotra and our host Malika Bilal. Miranda Lin fact-checked this episode. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik. Adam Abou-Gad is our engagement producer. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer, and Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio.

An investigation by Al Jazeera’s Sanad verification agency found that Israeli drones intentionally hit three vehicles carrying members of the charity group World Central Kitchen. The killing of these foreign volunteers adds to a death toll of hundreds of Palestinian aid workers killed since the start of Israel’s war on Gaza. In this episode: Alex Gatopoulos (@alexgatopoulos), Al Jazeera Defense Editor Episode credits: This episode was produced by Khaled Soltan and Miranda Lin with our host Kevin Hirten. Fahrinisa Campana and Chloe K. Li 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

Journalists are calling it a bloodbath. The US media industry has been decimated by some of the worst layoffs in decades. At the center of these changes are the private equity companies whose investments can make or break an outlet. What do these layoffs mean for the future of journalism? In this episode: Andy Hirschfeld (@andyreports), Business Journalist Episode credits: This episode was produced by Fahrinisa Campana and Chloe K. Li with our host Malika Bilal. Zaina Badr and Sarí el-Khalili 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. Read Andy's article here. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Massive anti-government protests in Israel are putting pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the release of captives and early elections. Netanyahu has staked his political future on the war on Gaza. Will his career survive it? In this episode: Hamdah Salhut (@hamdahsalhut), Al Jazeera Correspondent Episode credits: This episode was produced by Sarí el-Khalili and Khaled Soltan with our host Malika Bilal. Miranda Lin and Zaina Badr 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

Many of Hong Kong’s leading pro-democracy activists have been arrested, intimidated, or forced into exile in recent years as mainland China tightens its control. The latest security law to be passed, known as Article 23, has been called the “last nail in the coffin” for Hong Kong’s civil society. But those who still hold hope for change in the region are searching for new ways to keep the protest movement alive. In this episode: Patrick Fok (@PaddyFok), Journalist Samuel Chu (@SamuelMChu), Exiled Activist Anna Kwok (@AnnaKwokFY), Exiled Activist Episode credits: This episode was produced by Miranda Lin with our host Malika Bilal. Khaled Soltan 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

One bowl of shark fin soup can cost hundreds of dollars, but the illegal practice of poaching those fins comes at an even steeper price. More than a hundred million sharks are killed annually. We dive in to find out how this is happening and what’s being done to save the sharks. In this episode: Josh Rushing (@joshrushing), Senior Correspondent for Al Jazeera’s Fault Lines (@AJFaultLines) Watch the Fault Lines documentary The Shark Fin Hunters here. Episode credits: This episode was produced by Zaina Badr with guest host Kevin Hirten, in for Malika Bilal. Ashish Malhotra and Chloe K. Li fact-checked this episode. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Joe Plourde mixed this episode. 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

As Israel’s war on Gaza continues, we're coming to you on Sundays with a weekly roundup. This week: Palestinians in Gaza again died seeking aid. The U.S. approved further arms for Israel. Israel intensified strikes in Syria and Lebanon. It is day 177 of the war. More than 32,700 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed.  In this episode: Akram Al Satarri, Freelance journalist Kimberly Halkett (@KimberlyHalkett), Al Jazeera Correspondent Zeina Khodr (@ZeinakhodrAljaz), Al Jazeera Correspondent Imran Khan (@ajimran), Journalist for Al Jazeera 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    

Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on June 9th, 2023. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed. Korean “sea women,” or the Haenyeo, have made a living freediving off Jeju Island for centuries. Many of them supported entire families with their harvest and became part of an ancient tradition of female breadwinners in Korea since the 17th century. They played a vital role in the island’s recovery through colonialism and the Cold War. But now, with rising sea temperatures and decreasing harvests, will we see this tradition disappear? In this episode: Anna Kook, (@annakook), AJ+ Field Reporter Episode credits: This episode was updated by Fahrinisa Campana and Joe Plourde. The original production team was Khaled Soltan with Miranda Lin and host Kevin Hirten, in for Malika Bilal Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik. Adam Abou-Gad is our engagement producer. 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

Easter holds special meaning for Christian Palestinians. For Good Friday, we speak to a Palestinian pastor raised in Bethlehem who underlines the parallels between the Israeli oppression of his people and the crucifixion of Jesus at the center of his faith. In this episode: Reverend Dr. Munther Isaac (@MuntherIsaac), Evangelical Lutheran Pastor in Bethlehem Episode credits: This episode was produced by Khaled Soltan with our host Malika Bilal. Chloe K. Li fact-checked this episode. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Joe Plourde mixed this episode. 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

After a months-long forensic analysis into the events of October 7, Al Jazeera’s investigative team reveals its findings. What happened that day? In this episode: Richard Sanders, Director of ‘October 7’, Al Jazeera Investigative Unit Watch the film: October 7 – Al Jazeera Investigations Episode credits: This episode was produced by Negin Owliaei and Amy Walters, with guest host Kevin Hirten in for Malika Bilal. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Joe Plourde mixed this episode. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik. Adam Abou-Gad is our engagement producer. 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

The United Nations Security Council has demanded an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. After vetoing three previous resolutions, the US abstained this time around. The Take looks into the politics of the vote, and whether or not it will change the reality on the ground in Gaza. In this episode: Anade Situma (@Anade_Situma), Al Jazeera Senior UN Producer Kimberly Halkett (@KimberlyHalkett), Al Jazeera White House Correspondent Episode credits: This episode was produced by Sarí el-Khalili and David Enders with our host Malika Bilal. Chloe K. Li, Zaina Badr, and Fahrinisa Campana fact-checked this episode. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Joe Plourde mixed this episode. 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

Russia has charged four men for the attack on Friday that killed at least 137 people in Moscow. ISIL-K has claimed responsibility, while Russian President Vladimir Putin has blamed Ukraine. Putin is just coming off another election victory, and has long promised the country security. Will the worst attack on civilians in Moscow in more than a decade have an effect on his power? In this episode: Dorsa Jabbari (@DorsaJabbari), Al Jazeera Correspondent Episode credits: This episode was produced by David Enders and Fahrinisa Campana with our host Malika Bilal. Chloe K. Li fact-checked this episode. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Joe Plourde mixed this episode. 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

A US intelligence agency has partnered with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to build a vast network of spy satellites, according to exclusive reporting by Reuters, and sparking criticism from rival space powers China and Russia. What does this new agreement mean for the global space race? In this episode: Joey Roulette (@joroulette), Reuters Space Reporter Episode credits: This episode was produced by Ashish Malhotra and Chloe K. Li with our host Malika Bilal. Fahrinisa Campana fact-checked this episode. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Joe Plourde mixed this episode. 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

As Israel’s war on Gaza continues, we're coming to you on Sundays with a weekly roundup. This week: The Israeli military siege of Gaza's largest hospital continued. A vote on a new UN ceasefire resolution is expected. Israeli forces once more shot and killed Palestinians seeking aid. It is day 170 of the war. At least 32,000 Palestinians in Gaza have now been killed.  In this episode: Anas Al Sharif (@AnasAlSharif0), Journalist for Al Jazeera Gabriel Elizondo (@elizondogabriel), 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    

Every Saturday, we revisit a story that’s in the news again. This week, we're revisiting a global study that found a 4-day working week resulted in a high level of satisfaction on the part of both employers and employees. This originally aired on May 31, 2023. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed. Are we on the verge of another workplace revolution? It’s possible to work fewer hours and keep the same level of pay and productivity, according to results of the largest-ever trial of a four-day workweek held in the United Kingdom. Traditional work routines were upended by the COVID-19 pandemic, and there’s increased demand for more flexible schedules. But in many parts of the world, even a five-day week is a luxury. So can a four-day workweek work for everyone? In this episode: Juliet Schor (@JulietSchor), Sociology Professor at Boston College and Lead Researcher, 4-Day Week Global Wen Fan, Associate Professor at Boston College and Researcher, 4-Day Week Global Kıvanç Eliaçık (@Diskinsesi), International Director for the Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions of Turkey (DISK) Ignacia López, Chilean Labor Lawyer Jaya Dass (@Randstad_SG), Managing Director of Permanent Recruitment in Asia Pacific at Randstad Episode credits: This episode was updated by Fahrinisa Campana and Joe Plourde. The original production team was Miranda Lin, Khaled Soltan, Tim St. Clair, and our host, Malika Bilal. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik. Adam Abou-Gad is our engagement producer. 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

Senegal’s democracy was teetering after the presidential election was postponed. Now, it’s back on track and slated for this Sunday, but what will the country’s voters choose for their future? In this episode: Nicolas Haque (@nicolashaque), Al Jazeera Correspondent Episode credits: This episode was produced by Fahrinisa Campana, David Enders and Amy Walters with our host Malika Bilal. David Enders and Khaled Soltan 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

Finding enough diapers has become an almost impossible task in Gaza, nearly six months since Israel’s war began. As much of the Arab world celebrates Mother’s Day, we learn what raising a family in a war zone is really like. In this episode: Eman Basher (@sometimespooh), Teacher, Writer and Mother from Gaza Episode credits: This episode was produced by Chloe K. Li and Miranda Lin with our host Malika Bilal. Zaina Badr and Sarí el-Khalili 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. Special shoutout to Eman’s mother, Rehab Kullab. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Israeli forces attack Gaza’s al-Shifa Hospital for the fourth time Monday, beating and detaining Al Jazeera correspondent Ismail al-Ghoul, in the process. Why is this hospital a target this time? In this episode: Biesan Abu-Kwaik (@BiesanAK), Al Jazeera Correspondent Episode credits: This episode was produced by David Enders, Fahrinisa Campana, and Amy Walters with our host Malika Bilal. Sarí el-Khalili and Zaina Badr 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

Migrant workers, mainly from countries like Nepal, India, and Pakistan, are moving to Romania as Romanians leave for higher-paying jobs in the European Union. But many must repay massive debts to agents who helped them get the work. And often, it’s a story of dashed hopes and expectations. In this episode: Radu Stochita (@stochita_radu), Journalist Episode credits: This episode was produced by Khaled Soltan with our host Malika Bilal. Miranda Lin and Sarí el-Khalili 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

A potential US TikTok ban is edging closer into becoming law. The House of Representatives passed a bill that would effectively ban the app, citing national security concerns. If the bill makes it through the Senate, President Joe Biden has indicated he would sign it into law. But protesting TikTok users say targeting one app also targets freedom of information and creators’ livelihoods. In this episode: Alexander Howard (@digiphile), Author & Analyst of Digital Government Issues Callie Goodwin (@CallieGoodwin), Founder of Sparks of Joy Co Episode credits: This episode was produced by Sarí el-Khalili, Ashish Malhotra, Negin Owliaei and Amy Walters with our host Malika Bilal. Chloe K Li and Khaled Soltan 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

As Israel’s war on Gaza continues, we're coming to you on Sundays with a weekly roundup. This week: Aid reached Gaza by ship as Israel continued to prevent significant delivery by land crossings. Hamas presented a plan for a truce and ceasefire. Israel widened its strikes in Lebanon. It is day 163 of the war. In this episode: Hind Al Khoudary (@Hind_Gaza), Journalist for Al Jazeera Hamdah Salhut (@HamdahSalhut), Al Jazeera Correspondent Tareq Abu Azzoum, (@TareqAzzom), Al Jazeera Correspondent Zeina Khodr, (@ZeinakhodrAljaz), 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

Every Saturday, we revisit a story that’s in the news again. Russia’s President Vladimir Putin seems set to win his fifth term as president as voters head to the polls this weekend. Days before the voting began, Putin confirmed that Russia was prepared for nuclear war. Today, we’re going back to an episode digging into similar statements made by Putin. It originally aired on October 21st, 2022. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed. In this episode: Alex Gatopoulos (@alexgatopoulos), Al Jazeera Defence Editor Gerhard Mangott (@gerhard_mangott), Professor of International Relations, University of Innsbruck Episode credits: This episode was updated by Amy Walters. The original production team was Ashish Malhotra, Chloe K. Li, Ruby Zaman, Negin Owliaei, Amy Walters, Alexandra Locke, Ney Alvarez, and our host, Halla Mohieddeen in for Malika Bilal. Tim St. Clair mixed this episode. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik. Adam Abou-Gad is our engagement producer. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer, and Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio.

Thirteen years ago, Syrians took to the streets to stand up against the government of Bashar al-Assad. The war that followed has killed hundreds of thousands and displaced more than 12 million. Today, al-Assad is still in power. Has the world abandoned Syria? In this episode: Alia Malek (@AliaMalek), Journalist, Lawyer, and Author of The Home That Was Our Country: A Memoir of Syria Episode credits: This episode was produced by David Enders, Chloe K. Li, Negin Owliaei and Amy Walters with our host Malika Bilal. Khaled Soltan and Ashish Malhotra 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

Where is Kate Middleton? Aside from a pair of paparazzi shots, the Princess of Wales hasn’t been seen in public since Kensington Palace announced she was having surgery in January. A doctored photo released on Sunday only fueled more rumours over her public absence. What does the public relations debacle say about the state of the royal family, and the media that covers it? In this episode: Afua Hagan (@afuathescot), Journalist and Royal Commentator Episode credits: This episode was produced by Ashish Malhotra, Khaled Soltan and Chloe K. Li, with our host Malika Bilal. Chloe K. Li 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