The Take

All eyes are on Geneva for a summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Joe Biden. It’s just the latest in a long line of high-profile meetings between US and Russian leaders. And while it’s the first time the two are meeting since Biden took office, they have a history of their own. In this episode, we take a look at the past, present, and future of US-Russian relations. 

In this episode: 

• Mansur Mirovalev (@mirovalev), Journalist
• Alicia Sanders-Zakre (@azakre), Policy and Research Coordinator at the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (@nuclearban) 

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The Palestinian group Hamas doesn’t fit neatly into the labels some try to fit it into — terrorist, freedom fighter, armed group, political party. On the anniversary of Hamas’s takeover of the Gaza Strip, we’re looking at the context that made the group what it is, and most importantly, how it has affected Palestinians living in Gaza.

In this episode:

• Khaled Al Hroub, Professor of Middle Eastern Studies at Northwestern University Qatar and author of two books about Hamas
• Mohammad Alsaafin (@malsaafin), Senior Producer at AJ+

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Ousting Benjamin Netanyahu would take a political earthquake and the alliance of parties who’ve banded against him is unprecedented. After four elections in two years, the end of his 12 years in office may have arrived.  As internal tensions rise, how likely is a new political era for Israel?

In this episode: 

• Haggai Matar ( (@Ha_Matar), journalist and executive director for +972 Magazine (@972mag)

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The highest-paid female athlete in the world, tennis superstar Naomi Osaka, decided to leave the French Open at the end of May citing her battle with depression and anxiety. Her withdrawal from the tournament created a media frenzy, and divided journalists and fans. But it has also started a conversation about athletes and mental health that for many is long overdue.

In this episode: 

• Rennae Stubbs (@rennaestubbs), former world #1 in doubles, host of @racqetmagazine podcast, and ESPN commentator 
• Caitlin Thompson (@caitlin_thomps), journalist, publisher and co-founder of @racqetmagazine 

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From 1904 to 1908, German colonisers waged a brutal extermination campaign against the Herero and Nama people in present-day Namibia. Now, more than a century later, the German government has officially recognised the genocide and has offered Namibia an aid package. But many Herero and Nama people say Germany’s announcement doesn’t come close to providing justice. 

In this episode: 

Nandiuasora "Nandi" Mazeingo, Chairperson of the Ovaherero Genocide Foundation (@OGF_Namibia)

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Ireland is the first EU country to condemn “de facto annexation” of Palestinian land. The two-state solution has been conventional wisdom for a generation. As the Israeli political landscape shifts, does Ireland’s move show that reality is intruding on the international consensus?

In this episode: 

Shelley Deane (@shelleydeane), Irish political analyst; Omar Baddar (@OmarBaddar), Palestinian American political analyst 

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Mehray Mezensof's husband is one of an estimated million Uighurs being detained in China.  Several countries accuse China of committing crimes against humanity, including genocide. Starting Friday, a people's tribunal in the UK will meet to decide if that's true.

In this episode: Mehray Mezensof (@Mehray_T), wife of a detained Uighur man; Sir Geoffrey Nice, chairman of the Uyghur Tribunal (@TribunalUyghur)

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New research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Pediatrics estimates that as many as 43,000 children have lost a parent to COVID-19 in the United States. And, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Native Americans, Black Americans, and Latino Americans have been disproportionately affected by coronavirus deaths in the country. 

With the US so far ahead in its vaccination rollout, many are looking toward getting back to normal. But, for the families of those affected by the almost 600,000 coronavirus deaths in the country, there’s no way back to normal without their loved ones. They’re struggling with grief, but also financial burdens.

In this episode: 

Kaelyn Forde, @kaelynforde

Rachel Kidman, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Stony Brook Medicine.

You can read Kaelyn's reporting here.

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What began as a strike against a tax proposal in Colombia has now escalated into a nationwide protest movement over some of Colombia’s most deep-seated issues. Protesters are demanding structural changes to ease inequality and end police violence. After a month of demonstrations, President Ivan Duque’s popularity has hit record lows, and protesters are staying out in the streets. So what’s behind Colombia’s month of unrest?

In this episode: 

Al Jazeera correspondent Alessandro Rampietti @Rampietti; Cam Aaron Lopez Duarte @depresssioncherry of @TembloresONG.

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Obaida Akram Jawabra grew up outside of Hebron in the occupied West Bank and dreamed of becoming a chef. When he was 14, his dreams were put on pause for the first time when he was arrested and imprisoned by the Israeli military. He was later acquitted, but spent two months in jail. On May 17th, as many Palestinians were protesting Israeli air strikes on Gaza and Israeli settlers taking over Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem, Obaida, at 17 years old, was shot and killed by Israeli forces. More than 60 other Palestinian children were also killed by Israeli forces in the past month. Today, we take a look at the life of one Palestinian child.

In this episode: 

Farah Bayadsi, Human Rights Attorney @DCIPalestine

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