The Take

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. 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

President-elect Donald Trump is quickly naming his Cabinet, set to shape his agenda for the next four years. While some Americans are eager for change, others are dismayed by his picks. So how will Trump’s cabinet carry out his vision and navigate the challenges ahead?

In this episode:

• Matthew Bartlett (@MRBartlettNH), Republican Strategist and Former US State Department Appointee

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Amy Walters, Sonia Bhagat, and Sarí el-Khalili with Cole Van Miltenburg, Duha Mosaad, Hagir Saleh, and our host, Natasha Del Toro. It was edited by Alexandra Locke. 

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 Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Israel renewed and intensified its bombardment of Beirut’s suburbs this week, assassinating Mohamed Afif, Hezbollah’s chief spokesman, on Sunday. As ceasefire negotiations continue, is this an escalation in violence that might precede a diplomatic breakthrough – or just an escalation?

In this episode:

• Maya Gebeilly (@GebeilyM), Reuters Bureau Chief for Lebanon, Syria & Jordan

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by David Enders and Chloe K. Li, with Duha Mosaad, Hagir Saleh, Cole van Miltenburg, and our host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Alexandra Locke. 

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 Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

The Australian government is set to implement the world’s strictest ban on social media for children. The law would prohibit children under the age of 16 from accessing sites like TikTok, X, and Facebook. It will be introduced to parliament in the coming weeks, but wouldn’t be implemented until next year. What’s behind it – and how could it work?

In this episode:

• Tama Leaver, (@tamaleaver) Professor of Internet Studies, Curtin University

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Tamara Khandaker, Ashish Malhotra, and Sonia Bhagat with Duha Mosaad, Cole van Miltenburg, Chloe K. Li and our host, Natasha Del Toro, in for Malika Bilal. It was edited by Alexandra Locke. 

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 Duha Mosaad, Hagir Saleh, and Cole van Miltenburg. 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.

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

We are coming to you on Sundays with weekly roundups as Israel's war in Gaza and Lebanon continues. Israeli attacks on displaced Palestinians continued. A U. S. deadline for Israel to allow more aid to Gaza passed. Israel struck Beirut every day this week. It is day 408 of the war in Gaza, where more than 43,665 Palestinians have been killed. 

In this episode:

• Hind Al Khoudary, 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 17, 2024. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed.

While Palestinians in the Occupied West Bank watched Iranian missiles flying overhead en route to Israeli targets, they also had to contend with another fire on the ground. Armed Israeli settlers stormed Palestinian villages. The attacks are part of a wider escalation of violence Palestinians in the West Bank have faced since October 7, 2023.

In this episode:

• Nida’ Ibrahim (@nida_journo), Al Jazeera Correspondent

Episode credits:

This episode was updated by Amy Walters and Sarí el-Khalili. The original production team was Sarí el-Khalili and Fahrinisa Campana with 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 Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Widespread sexual violence is becoming a tragic hallmark of Sudan’s ongoing civil war. Women and children also make up the majority of the 14 million displaced. Our guest visits Sudanese refugees in Chad and shares the stories of the women there.

In this episode:

• Dominique Isabelle Hyde (@DominiqueHyde), UNHCR Director of External Relations

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Sarí el-Khalili, Sonia Bhagat, and Amy Walters, with Phillip Lanos, Cole Van Miltenburg, Doha Mosaad, Hagir Saleh, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Alexandra Locke. 

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 Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

The deadly floods in Spain have revealed a deeper crisis, as public outrage grows over government mismanagement in Valencia. With mud-slinging at the king and queen, protesters demanding the resignation of regional leader Carlos Mazon, and now thousands evacuated in Malaga, how will authorities respond to mounting anger and prepare for future climate disasters?

In this episode:

• Marcos Bartolomé (@bartoleiros), Producer, The Take

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Ashish Malhotra, Sonia Bhagat, and Tamara Khandaker with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Cole van Miltenberg, Duha Mosaad, Hagir Saleh, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Alexandra Locke. 

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 Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Sri Lanka has seen it all: from the 2022 economic collapse, the mass protests that followed, and the legacy of a 26-year civil war. As the newly elected president Anura Kumara Dissanayake vows to steer the island back on track, can he repay IMF debt without jeopardizing citizens' livelihoods?

In this episode:

• Minelle Fernandez, Al Jazeera Correspondent

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé with Chloe K. Li, Duha Mosaad, Cole van Miltenburg, and our host Kevin Hirten, in for Malika Bilal. It was edited by Alexandra Locke.

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. 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

Israeli football fans took to the streets of Amsterdam, chanting slogans like “no children left in Gaza” and tearing down Palestinian flags before a match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Dutch team Ajax. After the game, when more violence broke out, many called it an act of anti-Semitism, while others saw impunity for Israelis.  

In this episode:

• Tony Karon (@TonyKaron), Managing Editor, AJ+

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by David Enders and Chloe K. Li with Tamara Khandaker, Hagir Saleh, Duha Mosaad, Cole van Miltenburg, and our host, Kevin Hirten, in for Malika Bilal. It was edited by Alexandra Locke.

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 Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube