Strikes on Iran have killed senior figures, raising questions about who still holds power. We take a closer look at the key players inside Iran’s system and explain how it works, who shapes decisions and what the loss of top figures could mean for the country’s response to the war. In this episode: Ali Hashem (@ alihashem ), Senior Al Jazeera correspondent Episode credits: This episode was produced by Noor Wazwaz, Sarí el-Khalili, with Spencer Cline, Tuleen Barakat, Catherine Nouhan, David Ender...
Apr 01, 2026•16 min•Ep. 1564
The war on Iran is spreading into classrooms and campuses. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps threatened American universities in neighboring countries, after attacks on two Iranian universities over the weekend. Since the start of the war, at least 21 Iranian universities have reportedly been damaged. Why has education become a target of the US-Israeli war on Iran? In this episode: Setareh Sadeqi ( @leelako ), Assistant Professor at University of Tehran Episode credits: This episode was p...
Apr 01, 2026•23 min•Ep. 1563
Iran appears to believe it can survive this war. That calculation may be shaping its stance on a ceasefire, even as strikes continue and talk of US troops on the ground is growing. Why does Iran think it’s winning, and what would Tehran need to agree to stop fighting? In this episode: Alex Vatanka ( @alexvatanka ), Senior Fellow, Middle East Institute Episode credits: This episode was produced by David Enders and Tamara Khandaker with Tuleen Barakat, Catherine Nouhan, and our guest host, Kevin H...
Mar 31, 2026•23 min•Ep. 1562
A vision long embedded in Israeli politics is coming into clearer view. We look at the "Greater Israel" project – where it comes from, how it has shaped Israeli policy and territorial ambitions over time, and what it helps explain about Israel’s actions across the region. In this episode: Nour Odeh ( @nour_odeh ), Al Jazeera Correspondent Episode credits: This episode was produced by Tamara Khandaker and Chloe K. Li, with Tuleen Barakat, Catherine Nouhan, and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. It was...
Mar 30, 2026•21 min•Ep. 1560
This week: 179 days into a ceasefire, Israel has killed at least 692 Palestinians in Gaza. Yemeni Houthis launch missile attacks on Israel. Israel expands ground offensive in Lebanon. Israeli soldiers accused of torturing toddler. Israel has killed at least 72,268 Palestinians in Gaza since October 7th, 2023. In this episode: Tohid Asadi, Al Jazeera Correspondent Hani Mahmoud, Al Jazeera Correspondent Tareq Abu Azzoum, (@abuoazzum) Al Jazeera Senior Correspondent Zeina Khodr, (@ZeinakhodrAljaz) ...
Mar 29, 2026•7 min•Ep. 1561
Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on February 27, 2023. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed. Why have the people of the Chagos Islands not been allowed to go home? The archipelago in the Indian Ocean was home to Chagossians until the 1960s. As decolonization swept the globe, the United Kingdom created one last African colony. Slowly, and then all at once, it forced people to leave their homes, then leased the l...
Mar 28, 2026•23 min•Ep. 1558
The US is mobilizing ground troops, while saying it has a 15-point plan to end the US-Israel war on Iran. Tehran denies negotiations and continues to control the Strait of Hormuz. So what does reality spell for the US strategy - and what would it take to end the war rather than escalate it? In this episode: Alex Gatopoulos ( @AlexGatopoulos ), Al Jazeera Defence Editor Episode credits: This episode was produced by Noor Wazwaz and Chloe K. Li, with Catherine Nouhan, Marcos Bartolomé, Tuleen Barak...
Mar 27, 2026•22 min•Ep. 1557
War has spread into Iraq, where strikes by the United States and Israel hit Iran-backed groups, and the militias fire back. Oil has stopped flowing through the Strait of Hormuz, and the state’s grip on power is already fragile. As the war rages on, what will it mean for Iraq? In this episode: Abdulla Hawez, Researcher Episode credits: This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé and Tamara Khandaker with Chloe K. Li, Tuleen Barakat and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Alexandra Lo...
Mar 26, 2026•21 min•Ep. 1556
International convoys are bringing aid to Cuba to protest the US fuel blockade, as Cuba continues to fend off US threats of a takeover. With Cubans continuing to live under prolonged blackouts and the government preparing for military confrontation, can the Cuban government again survive the latest US effort to overthrow it? In this episode: Ed Augustin ( @EdAugReporter ), Journalist Episode credits: This episode was produced by Chloe K. Li and Sarí el-Khalili, with Catherine Nouhan, Tuleen Bara...
Mar 25, 2026•22 min•Ep. 1555
Black rain fell over Tehran after oil depot strikes in the US-Israel war on Iran filled the sky with toxic petrochemical smoke. The contamination can seep into lungs, soil and water, with long-term risks from cancer to lasting environmental damage. What happens when the air people breathe becomes part of the battlefield? In this episode: Narges Bajoghli, Cultural Anthropologist, Johns Hopkins University Episode credits: This episode was produced by Noor Wazwaz, Marcos Bartolomé and Sarí el-Khali...
Mar 23, 2026•22 min•Ep. 1554
Strikes on gas sites are now part of the US-Israel war with Iran. But its effect will echo far beyond the Gulf, hitting power, food, and prices worldwide. As gas supply shrinks and costs rise, who will feel it most, and how far could the shock spread? In this episode: Justin Dargin ( @justindargin ), Energy Expert, Middle East Council on Global Affairs Episode credits: This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé, Tamara Khandaker, Sarí el-Khalili, Chloe K. Li, Tuleen Barakat, Catherine Nouhan ...
Mar 23, 2026•21 min•Ep. 1553
This week: 172 days into a ceasefire, Israel has killed at least 677 Palestinians in Gaza. Trump has given Iran a 48-hour ultimatum. Israel is intensifying attacks on Gaza. Israel has launched an incursion into Lebanon. Israel has killed more than 72,253 Palestinians in Gaza since October 7th, 2023. In this episode: Mohamed Vall, Al Jazeera Correspondent Zein Basravi, (@virtualzein) Al Jazeera Correspondent Tareq Abu Azzoum, (@abuoazzum) Al Jazeera Senior Correspondent Zeina Khodr, (@ZeinakhodrA...
Mar 22, 2026•7 min•Ep. 1552
Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on June 2, 2025. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed. Elon Musk may have resigned from the Department of Government Efficiency, but few believe he’s stepping away from power. In under a year, DOGE brought Silicon Valley-style disruption to Washington, consolidating federal data and dismantling oversight. Now, Musk is expected to channel what he gained into a private AI venture ...
Mar 21, 2026•26 min•Ep. 1551
As US President Donald Trump pushes deeper into war with Iran, Europe is keeping its distance, calling it “not our war”. But as strikes on Gulf energy facilities send oil and gas prices soaring, that distance is being tested. In a rare joint move, leaders from across Europe and Japan have pledged to help stabilize energy markets and ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Can Europe stay out of the fighting while being pulled in by its economic consequences? In this episode: Sven Kühn ...
Mar 19, 2026•20 min•Ep. 1550
Drone attacks are reaching deeper into Pakistan, hitting sensitive areas and raising alarm. Officials call them rudimentary, but analysts warn their impact could far exceed their sophistication. What do these low-cost drones reveal about the country’s vulnerabilities, and what comes next as tensions with Afghanistan continue to grow? In this episode: Abid Hussain ( @abidhussayn ), Al Jazeera Digital Correspondent Episode credits: This episode was produced by Noor Wazwaz, Marcos Bartolomé and Sar...
Mar 18, 2026•21 min•Ep. 1549
A United States missile strike destroyed a primary school in Minab, Iran. It killed more than 170 people, most of them young children. An Al Jazeera investigation suggests the attack may have been deliberate. As US officials deny responsibility and launch an internal probe, can Americans hold the US accountable? In this episode: Hoda Katebi ( @hodakatebi ), Writer Episode credits: This episode was produced by Chloe K. Li, Sar í el-Khalili with Spencer Cline, Catherine Nouhan, Tuleen Barakat and ...
Mar 17, 2026•22 min•Ep. 1548
As bombs hit cities across Iran, thousands take to the streets in defiance. From Tehran University to the protests in the capital, how Iranians are responding to US and Israeli attacks, and what it reveals about the next generation’s view of the world. In this episode: Foad Izadi ( @IzadiFoad ), Associate Professor, Faculty of World Studies, University of Tehran Episode credits: This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé and Sonia Bhagat with Spencer Cline, Catherine Nouhan, Tuleen Barakat an...
Mar 16, 2026•23 min•Ep. 1547
As the Iran war continues, attention is fixed on missiles flying across the region. But in the occupied West Bank, missile shrapnel falls on Palestinian towns while deadly settler attacks, Israeli military raids and strict limits on daily life continue. With the world looking elsewhere, how do Palestinians in the West Bank view the Iran war, and what does life look like on the ground now? In this episode: Nour Odeh ( @nour_odeh ), Al Jazeera Correspondent Episode credits: This episode was produc...
Mar 15, 2026•20 min•Ep. 1546
This week: 165 days into a ceasefire, Israel has killed at least 658 Palestinians in Gaza. Iranian missiles hit central Israel. US bombs critical Iranian oil facility. Israel continues to carry out strikes on Gaza. Israel has killed more than 72,234 Palestinians in Gaza since October 7th, 2023. In this episode: Nida Ibrahim, (@nida_journo), Al Jazeera correspondent Zeina Khodr, (@ZeinakhodrAljaz) Al Jazeera Correspondent Tohid Asadi, (@Htohid_._asadi) Al Jazeera Correspondent Ibrahim al-Khalili,...
Mar 15, 2026•7 min•Ep. 1545
Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on May 24, 2019. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed. It seemed like a recipe for conflict: Take the Iran nuclear deal, add a dash of US National Security Advisor John Bolton and some US warships, and top it off with the mysterious sabotage of oil tankers near one of the most sensitive stretches of water in the world. This week on The Take, we go to the Strait of Hormuz to exam...
Mar 14, 2026•25 min•Ep. 1544
China is more affected than any country outside the Gulf by the US-Israel war due to its energy reliance on Iran. But as the war reshapes global trade and alliances, it also stands to benefit. As Donald Trump prepares for a rare visit to Beijing, could this crisis reshape the balance of power? In this episode: Katrina Yu ( @Katmyu ), Al Jazeera Correspondent Episode credits: This episode was produced by David Enders, Sarí el-Khalili and Chloe K. Li, with Spencer Cline, Tuleen Barakat and our hos...
Mar 12, 2026•21 min•Ep. 1543
Iran has named Mojtaba Khamenei as the Islamic Republic’s new supreme leader after his father was killed in US-Israeli strikes. Little-known publicly but influential behind the scenes, he takes power during a rapidly escalating regional war. Who is Mojtaba Khamenei, and what could his leadership mean for the country and the conflict ahead? In this episode: Ali Hashem ( @alihashem ), Al Jazeera Senior Correspondent Episode credits: This episode was produced by Noor Wazwaz and Sarí el-Khalili with...
Mar 11, 2026•22 min•Ep. 1542
As missiles strike across Israel and Iran, what are we really allowed to see? With strict censorship and limited access, journalists and the public are seeing only part of the story: Who decides what information gets out, and what does that mean for truth in a war affecting millions? In this episode: Diana Buttu ( @dianabuttu ), Human Rights Lawyer and Analyst Episode credits: This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé and Sarí el-Khalili with Spencer Cline, Chloe K. Li, Tuleen Barakat, Cathe...
Mar 10, 2026•23 min•Ep. 1541
The price of oil has soared over $100 a barrel globally as a result of the US-Israeli war on Iran. Iran has effectively shut down shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz, while Israel has attacked critical Iranian oil depots. Despite public pressure and outrage, all parties seem prepared to continue the war. What will it mean for the global economy and the people caught in the crossfire? Listen to more about the Strait of Hormuz here . In this episode: Zein Basravi ( @virtualzein ), Al Jazeera Se...
Mar 09, 2026•21 min•Ep. 1540
Israel’s latest attacks on Lebanon come after decades of conflict with Hezbollah. Wars, assassinations and pressure have failed to break the group, which continues to launch rockets and fight Israeli forces. Why has Hezbollah endured, and what does the latest escalation reveal about the long war between Israel and Hezbollah? In this episode: Hala Jaber ( @HalaJaber ), Journalist Episode credits: This episode was produced by Noor Wazwaz and Tuleen Barakat with Sarí el-Khalili, Monah Hamade, Gerar...
Mar 08, 2026•19 min•Ep. 1539
This week: 158 days into a ceasefire, Israel has killed at least 640 Palestinians in Gaza. Israel and US continue to strike in Iran, Israel closes all Gaza crossings. Lebanon’s central Beirut bombed by Israel. Israel has killed more than 72,123 Palestinians in Gaza since October 7th, 2023. In this episode: Mohamed Vall, Al Jazeera Journalist Zeina Khodr, (@ZeinakhodrAljaz) Al Jazeera Correspondent Hind Al Khoudary, (@Hind_Gaza) Al Jazeera Correspondent Zein Basravi, @virtualzein) Al Jazeera Seni...
Mar 08, 2026•6 min•Ep. 1538
Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on June 23, 2025. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time 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 liberation mean to Iranians as the US...
Mar 07, 2026•26 min•Ep. 1537
Tools from Anthropic and OpenAI are being used by the Pentagon to make military decisions in Iran, guiding decisions could cost lives. Fast, powerful, or flawed, how have AI systems already changed how wars are fought? In this episode: Heidy Khlaaf ( @hak90 ), Principal Research Scientist, AI Now Institute Episode credits: This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolom é , Sarí el-Khalil í , Chloe K. Li, and Noor Wazwaz, with Spencer Cline, Tuleen Barakat, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited...
Mar 06, 2026•25 min•Ep. 1536
From inside Iran to the diaspora, Iranians are deeply divided about their country’s future. With Ayatollah Ali Khamenei gone and Reza Pahlavi, the son of the former shah, waiting in the wings, what do conversations about regime change reveal about the spectrum of what Iranians really think? In this episode: Yara Elmjouie ( @yelmjouie ), AJ+ Journalist Episode credits: This episode was produced by Noor Wazwaz, Marcos Bartolomé, and Catherine Nouhan, with Spencer Cline, Tuleen Barakat, Maya Hamade...
Mar 05, 2026•22 min•Ep. 1535
Inside the Washington bubble, we look inside the chaos shaping the US-Israeli war on Iran, from celebrations at DC power dinners and the Secretary of State admitting US defense of Israel to the Epstein files fading from public view. With low popular support for the war, can American voters do anything to stop it? In this episode: Patty Culhane (@ PattyCulhane ), Al Jazeera English Correspondent Episode credits: This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolom é , Sari el-Khalili, and Catherine Nouha...
Mar 04, 2026•24 min•Ep. 1534
