Thirty-three years old, socialist, Muslim – and now, the likely Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City. Zohran Mamdani was barely known a few months ago. Today, he may be the most popular political voice of a generation. How did he get here – and could he be here to stay?

In this episode:

• Max Rivlin-Nadler (@MaxRivlinNadler), Co-owner and Reporter at Hell Gate NYC

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Ashish Malhotra, Sonia Bhagat, Amy Walters, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Melanie Marich, Remas Al Hawari, Kisaa Zehra, Mariana Navarette, and our host, Manuel Rapalo. It was edited by Kylene Kiang and 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 Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

As global attention turned to Israel and Iran, violence against Palestinians continued. In Gaza, people are still being bombed and starved. What does this moment reveal about who gets protected, and who is forgotten?

In this episode:

• Diana Buttu, (@dianabuttu), Human rights lawyer and analyst

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé, Sonia Bhagat, and Chloe K. Li, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Kisaa Zehra, Mariana Navarrete, Melanie Marich, Remas Alhawari, Khaled Soltan, and our guest host Manuel Rápalo. It was edited by Kylene Kiang and 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 Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

After bombing Iran, US President Donald Trump tried to turn down the temperature in the Middle East with a ceasefire declaration on Truth Social. The all-caps announcement fell flat as both continued striking. How long can a truce hold when each side insists the other broke it first?

In this episode:

• Alex Gatopoulos (@AlexGatopoulos), Al Jazeera English Defense Editor

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Amy Walters, Sonia Bhagat, and Haleema Shah, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Melanie Marich, Mariana Navarrete, and our host, Manny Rapalo. It was edited by Kylene Kiang and 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 Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Israel claims Iran is closer than ever to building a nuclear weapon. But as it targets Iran, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says his nation’s attacks will also “liberate” Iranians. In a civilization shaped by millennia of empire and resistance, those words land differently. What does liberation mean to Iranians as the US and Israel call for regime change?

In this episode:

• Hamid Dabashi (@dabashihamid), Professor, Columbia University

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Chloe K. Li, Sonia Bhagat, and Haleema Shah, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Tamara Khandaker, Mariana Navarrete and our guest host, Manuel Rápalo. It was edited by Kylene Kiang and 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

The US has bombed nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz. Meanwhile in Washington, political parties are divided about President Donald Trump’s decision to strike. What could be next in what many fear to be a regional war?

In this episode: 

• Akbar Shahid Ahmed, (@AkbarSAhmed), HuffPost Senior Diplomatic Correspondent

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Ashish Malhotra, Khaled Soltan, and Chloe K. Li, with Remas Alhawari and our guest host, Natasha Del Toro. It was edited by Ney Alvarez.

The Take production team is Marcos Bartolomé, Sonia Bhagat, Spencer Cline, Sarí el-Khalili, Tamara Khandaker, Phillip Lanos, Chloe K. Li, Ashish Malhotra, Haleema Shah, Khaled Soltan, Amy Walters, and Noor Wazwaz. Our editorial interns are Remas Alhawari, Mariana Navarrete, and Kisaa Zehra. 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 and YouTube

As Israel’s war on Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Iran continues, we’re coming to you on Sundays with a weekly roundup. This week: US strikes Iran. Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil released. Israel continues to kill Palestinian aid seekers. It is day 625 of the war in Gaza, where at least 55,908 Palestinians have been killed. 

In this episode:

• Tohid Asadi, Al Jazeera Reporter
• Nour Odeh (@nourodeh), Al Jazeera Senior Correspondent
• Moath Kahlout (@moath_kahlout), Al Jazeera Journalist
• Phil Lavelle (phillavelle), Al Jazeera Correspondent

Episode credits:

This episode was hosted by Nida Ibrahim and produced by Marthe van der Wolf. 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. 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 January 30, 2024. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed.

Weeks after Boeing came under fire for a near-catastrophic incident aboard one of its planes, Alaska Airlines 1282 was forced to make an emergency landing when part of its wall blew off mid-flight. It’s not the first time a 737 Max has had problems. So what’s being done?

In this episode:

Alex Macheras (@AlexInAir), Aviation Analyst, Host, On-Air with Dan and Alex

Episode credits:

This episode was updated by Amy Walters. The original production team was Ashish Malhotra, Fahrinisa Campana, Chloe K Li 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.

How did MAGA become Trump’s biggest opponent of a US strike on Iran? The Republican base is split over Trump’s rhetoric about getting involved in another foreign war. Conservative stalwarts like Tucker Carlson and Steve Bannon are pushing back. Could a US strike on Iran be a blow against Trump at home?

In this episode: 

• Ali Harb (@HarbPeace), Al Jazeera journalist

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Ashish Malhotra, Sonia Bhagat and Amy Walters with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Mariana Navarette, Khaled Soltan, Remas AlHawari, Kisaa Zehra, and our host, Manuel Rapalo. 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

A 15-year-old pulls the trigger on a presidential candidate in Bogota, and Colombia’s ghost of political violence suddenly feels very present. Is the latest episode of political violence a sign that Colombia's peace process has failed, and can it promise fair elections in 2026?

In this episode:

• Juanita Goebertus Estrada (@JuanitaGoe), Human Rights Watch Americas division director

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Tamara Khandaker, Sonia Bhagat and Haleema Shah with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Chloe K. Li, Mariana Navarrete, Khaled Soltan, Remas Alhawari and our guest host, Manuel Rapalo. It was edited by Kylene Kiang and 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

US President Donald Trump has deployed hundreds of troops to Los Angeles in response to protests against immigration raids. It’s been widely considered to be an illegal deployment. Meanwhile, hotlines to support service members have been seeing an uptick in complaints and questions. What happens when those in uniform are ordered to confront the very people they swore to protect?

In this episode:

• Steve Woolford, Counselor with the GI Rights Hotline

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Amy Walters, Sonia Bhagat, and Chloe K. Li with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Melanie Marich, and our guest host, Manuel Rapalo. It was edited by Kylene Kiang and Noor Wazwaz. 

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