We’re looking back at 10 of the episodes that defined 2025 at The Take. This originally aired on November 19. None of the dates or references have been changed. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is operating in an unprecedented way during US President Donald Trump’s second term. The agency has existed for over 20 years, but now operates as a masked force. Imposters posing as agents have committed crimes such as kidnapping and sexual assault. The FBI has urged ICE officers to unmask and i...
Jan 02, 2026•24 min•Ep. 1473
We’re looking back at 10 of the episodes that defined 2025 at The Take. This originally aired on September 11. None of the dates or references have been changed. Shot while answering a question about mass shootings, outspoken gun-rights advocate and conservative activist Charlie Kirk was killed on a university campus. What does this moment signal for escalating political violence and the state of US politics? In this episode: Matthew Boedy ( @MatthewBoedy ), Professor of Rhetoric, University of ...
Jan 01, 2026•23 min•Ep. 1472
We’re looking back at 10 of the episodes that defined 2025 at The Take. This originally aired on September 3. None of the dates or references have been changed. Inside Gaza City, as the Israeli military escalates its takeover, Al Jazeera continues to report from the ground on the day-to-day reality for more than a million Palestinians still there. As top scholars declare that Israel is committing genocide and US plans for a "Gaza Riviera" continue to circulate, how are Palestinians bracing for w...
Dec 31, 2025•24 min•Ep. 1471
As the year wraps up, we're looking back at 10 of the episodes that defined our year at The Take. This originally aired on August 28. None of the dates, titles, or other references has been changed. Thousands of US troops are on warships stationed near Venezuela. President Donald Trump says the move is to fight drug cartels that the US has labelled “terrorist” organizations. In response, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has ordered troops to the border and called on citizens to mobilize to de...
Dec 30, 2025•23 min•Ep. 1470
We’re looking back at 10 of the episodes that defined 2025 at The Take. This originally aired on July 3. None of the dates or references have been changed. Are AI chatbots dulling our brains? A new MIT study suggests critical thinking skills are at risk from tools like ChatGPT. What does scientific research say about what happens to brains that rely on artificial intelligence? And how can you use AI tools while protecting your ability to think for yourself? In this episode: Celia Ford ( @cogceli...
Dec 29, 2025•23 min•Ep. 1469
This week: 88 days into a ceasefire, Israel has killed at least 411 Palestinians in Gaza. Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to meet Donald Trump. Palestinians mourned actor and director Mohammad Bakri. Israel has killed more than 71,266 Palestinians in Gaza since October 7th, 2023. In this episode: Ibrahim Al Khalili, ( @_ibrahimalkhalili ) Al Jazeera Correspondent Nida Ibrahim, ( @nida_journo ) Al Jazeera Correspondent Zeina Khodr, ( @ZeinakhodrAljaz ) Al Jazeera Correspondent Episode credits: Thi...
Dec 28, 2025•7 min•Ep. 1468
As the year wraps up, we're looking back at 10 of the episodes that defined our year at The Take. This originally aired on June 24, 2025. None of the dates, titles, or other references have been changed. 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 liberati...
Dec 27, 2025•26 min•Ep. 1467
As the year wraps up, we're looking back at 10 of the episodes that defined 2025 at The Take. This originally aired on June 27. None of the dates, titles, or other references have been changed. 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-N...
Dec 26, 2025•25 min•Ep. 1466
As 2025 wraps up, we're looking back at 10 of the episodes that defined our year at The Take. This originally aired on May 8. None of the dates, titles, or other references have been changed. It’s the biggest military escalation between India and Pakistan in decades. Missile strikes, drone attacks and deadly shelling have struck on both sides of the border in the disputed region of Kashmir. With dozens of civilians dead and both countries trading blame, can the two nuclear powers contain the dis...
Dec 25, 2025•22 min•Ep. 1465
As 2025 wraps up, we're looking back at 10 of the episodes that defined our year at The Take. This originally aired on March 21. None of the dates, titles, or other references have been changed. Backlash to Elon Musk and Donald Trump’s alliance is hitting Tesla hard. The company is facing boycotts, protests, and attacks on cars, showrooms and charging stations. Tesla stock is plummeting. The US attorney general and Trump called the attacks “domestic terrorism”. In this episode, we look at what i...
Dec 24, 2025•23 min•Ep. 1464
We’re looking back at 10 of the episodes that defined 2025 at The Take. This originally aired on February 10. None of the dates or references have been changed. Bad Bunny’s new album, Debí Tirar Más 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 ( @jorellme...
Dec 23, 2025•26 min•Ep. 1463
We're looking back at 10 of the episodes that defined 2025 at The Take. This originally aired on January 30. None of the dates or references have been changed. Bodies are lining the streets of Goma and hospitals are overwhelmed after an escalation in the long-simmering conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. 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 thi...
Dec 22, 2025•23 min•Ep. 1462
This week: 81 days into a ceasefire, Israel has killed at least 394 Palestinians in Gaza. Palestinians in Gaza continued to struggle to find food. Israel further expanded its presence in Syria. Israel has killed more than 70,925 Palestinians in Gaza since October 7th, 2023. In this episode: Hani Mahmoud, Al Jazeera Correspondent Tareq Abu Azzoum, ( @abuoazzum ) Al Jazeera Correspondent Gabriel Elizondo, ( @elizondogabriel ) Al Jazeera Correspondent Gemma Nash, ( @GemmaNash10 ) Al Jazeera Present...
Dec 21, 2025•6 min•Ep. 1461
Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on August 6 . None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed. Are US tariffs about to end the “add to cart” era? United States President Donald Trump’s move to end the de minimis exemption closes a loophole used by Shein, Temu and others to ship duty-free. With costs likely passed to shoppers, consumers are starting to rethink the real price of ultra-cheap clothing. In this episode: Aja B...
Dec 20, 2025•25 min•Ep. 1460
Beset by food shortages, blackouts, and severe inflation, a growing number of Cubans are leaving the island. What’s driving them, where are they going, and why is the government no longer trying to stop it from happening? In this episode: Andrés Pertierra ( @ASPertierra ), historian Episode credits: This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé and Tamara Khandaker, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Fatima Shafiq, Farhan Rafid, and our host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Kylene Kiang. Our soun...
Dec 19, 2025•22 min•Ep. 1459
Why does the public understanding of disability lag so far behind reality? TikTok influencer and disability activist Imani Barbarin lays this out for her audiences on social media, where she has amassed nearly a million followers across platforms. In this episode, Barbarin shares her perspectives on disability at the intersection of issues, including COVID and the genocidal war on Gaza. In this episode: Imani Barbarin ( @Imani_Barbarin ), Disability Advocate Episode credits: This episode was pro...
Dec 18, 2025•23 min•Ep. 1458
Christmas lights are back on in Bethlehem for the first time since Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza began. Yet behind the celebrations, deep economic hardships and mounting pressure from Israeli military incursions and settler violence continue to shape daily life for Palestinian Christians across the occupied West Bank. In this episode: Rev Dr Fares Abraham ( @faresabraham ), Founder and President, Levant Ministries Episode credits: This episode was produced by Tracie Hunte and Sarí el-Khalili, w...
Dec 17, 2025•23 min•Ep. 1457
A Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach ended with a mass shooting when two gunmen opened fire, killing 15 people. In a country with some of the world’s strictest gun laws, how were a father and son able to carry out an attack that sent shockwaves across Australia? In this episode: Danielle Robertson ( @Danielle_Rob ), Al Jazeera Correspondent Episode credits: This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé and Melanie Marich, with Sarí el-Khalili, Farhan Rafid, Fatima Shafiq, Diana Ferrero...
Dec 15, 2025•23 min•Ep. 1456
Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have seized the Heglig oilfield, a critical site located on the border of Sudan and South Sudan. The capture of vital oil infrastructure is part of the RSF's latest push to dominate the country's Kordofan region. What will this takeover mean for the next stage of Sudan's war? In this episode: Hiba Morgan ( @hiba_morgan ), Al Jazeera Correspondent Episode credits: This episode was produced by Haleema Shah, Sarí el-Khalili, and Melanie Marich, with P...
Dec 15, 2025•18 min•Ep. 1455
This week: 67 days into a ceasefire, Israel has killed at least 383 Palestinians in Gaza. A winter storm killed at least 14 Palestinians in Gaza. Israel approved further settlements in the occupied West Bank. Israel has killed more than 70,656 Palestinians in Gaza since October 7th, 2023. In this episode: Ibrahim Al Khalili, ( @_ibrahimalkhalili ) Al Jazeera Correspondent Hind Khoudary, ( @Hind_Gaza ) Al Jazeera Correspondent Nour Odeh, ( @osamabinjavaid ) Al Jazeera Correspondent Episode credit...
Dec 14, 2025•6 min•Ep. 1454
Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on January 18, 2024. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed. The Palestinian national football team is at the AFC Asian Cup happening right now in Qatar. They played the United Arab Emirates today and played Iran on Sunday, where Palestinian pride echoed throughout the stadium. We head to the pitch for a look at the team’s challenges and achievements as the cup goes on. In this ep...
Dec 13, 2025•16 min•Ep. 1453
Warner Bros Discovery, the Hollywood studio and media company, is up for grabs, and Netflix and Paramount are battling to own it. Both Netflix and Paramount are media giants with competing views of the future of the industry. So how could a media merger involving one of the most iconic Hollywood studios change entertainment as we know it? In this episode: Rani Molla ( @ranimolla ), Senior Tech Correspondent, Sherwood News Episode credits: This episode was produced by Sarí el-Khalili, Noor Wazwaz...
Dec 12, 2025•20 min•Ep. 1452
When Gaza militia leader Yasser Abu Shabab was killed last week, few Palestinians mourned his death. After Israel's genocidal war in Gaza began in 2023, Abu Shabab and his Israel-backed Popular Forces group attempted to present themselves as an alternative to Hamas, but Palestinians instead viewed him as a traitor. What did his rise reveal about Israel’s strategy for Gaza? In this episode: Muhammad Shehada ( @muhammadshehad2 ), Visiting Fellow, European Council on Foreign Relations Episode credi...
Dec 11, 2025•22 min•Ep. 1451
The US military is increasing its presence in Puerto Rico as the Trump administration prepares for a possible clash with Venezuela over alleged drug trafficking. Ten thousand troops, advanced jets, drones and the USS Iwo Jima now sit on an island still scarred by decades of military pollution. What does this new buildup mean for Puerto Rico’s future? In this episode: Israel Melendez Ayala ( @IsraelAyala144 ), Writer and Historian Episode credits: This episode was produced by Tracie Hunte, Noor W...
Dec 10, 2025•18 min•Ep. 1450
Each winter, Delhi is smothered in a toxic smog that chokes its residents, sending many to hospitals for acute respiratory ailments. The government has pledged to tackle the air pollution crisis, but the reality remains difficult. Amid fears that India’s capital is becoming unlivable, residents are now demanding real action after a decade of breathing the world’s dirtiest air. In this episode: Yashraj Sharma ( @yashjournals ), independent journalist Episode credits: This episode was produced by ...
Dec 09, 2025•21 min•Ep. 1449
One year after Bashar al-Assad’s fall, Syrians are returning home and trying to rebuild their lives. But questions over transitional justice and minority protections are testing whether this new Syria can become more than just another chapter of survival. In this episode: Leila Nachawati ( @leila_na ), writer and professor Episode credits: This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé, Noor Wazwaz, Melanie Marich, and Haleema Shah, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Diana Ferrero, Farhan Rafid, ...
Dec 08, 2025•23 min•Ep. 1448
This week: 60 days into a ceasefire, Israel has killed at least 367 Palestinians in Gaza. Israel said it would reopen Gaza's border with Egypt. Despite ongoing violence, Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank sought to find some normalcy. Israel has killed more than 70,354 Palestinians in Gaza since October 7th, 2023. In this episode: Hind Khoudary, ( @Hind_Gaza ) Al Jazeera Correspondent Hani Mahmoud, Al Jazeera Correspondent Nour Odeh, ( @osamabinjavaid ) Al Jazeera Correspondent Epis...
Dec 07, 2025•6 min•Ep. 1447
Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on xx, 20xx. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed. Since the American-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, the US has trained thousands of Afghan security forces. Among them are militias that were backed by the US Central Intelligence Agency. For years, activists and journalists have documented civilian killings that took place by their hand. How will that legacy affect the curr...
Dec 06, 2025•21 min•Ep. 1446
South African authorities are investigating how at least 17 men ended up on Russia’s front lines in Ukraine. Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of ex-president Jacob Zuma, is accused of luring the men with promises of job training. She denies it, and says she was also duped. What's next for the Zuma family and for the men still trapped in Ukraine? In this episode: Rachel Savage ( @rachelmsavage ), Southern Africa correspondent, The Guardian Episode credits: This episode was produced by Tracie Hunt...
Dec 05, 2025•21 min•Ep. 1445
The US is ramping up military threats and rhetoric against Venezuela. With 15,000 US troops deployed in the Caribbean Sea, strikes on alleged drug boats, and more than 80 alleged traffickers killed, the escalating military presence in the region has Venezuelans on edge. What's really driving these two countries closer to war? In this episode: Alejandro Velasco ( @AleVelascoNYU ), Associate Professor of Latin Studies, New York University Episode credits: This episode was produced by Melanie Maric...
Dec 04, 2025•22 min•Ep. 1444
