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

From Buenos Aires to Pyongyang, the world is reacting to the return of Donald Trump. We speak to Al Jazeera journalists across the globe about how a second Trump presidency might affect the regions they cover and how citizens are preparing for his return. In this episode: Niko Vorobyov (@Narco_Polo420), Freelance Journalist Tony Cheng (@TLCBkk), Al Jazeera Correspondent Lucia Newman (@lucianewman), Al Jazeera Latin America Editor Dorsa Jabbari (@DorsaJabbari), Al Jazeera Correspondent Nicolas Haque (@nicolashaque), Al Jazeera Correspondent Episode credits: This episode was produced by Tamara Khandaker, Chloe K Li, Ashish Malhotra and Marcos Bartolomé, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Duha Mosaad, Cole van Miltenberg and our host, Malika Bilal.  The Take production team is Marcos Bartolomé, Sonia Bhagat, 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. We’ll be back tomorrow. 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. Israel's siege of northern Gaza intensified. Qatar suspended mediation efforts. UN peacekeepers in Lebanon say Israel has attacked them at least half a dozen times. It is day 401 of the war in Gaza, where more than 43,552 Palestinians have been killed.  In this episode: Ibrahim Al Khalil, Al Jazeera Correspondent Tareq Abu Azzoum, (@TareqAzzom) Al Jazeera Correspondent  Marwan Bishara, (@marwanbishara) Al Jazeera Senior Political Analyst Charles Stratford, (@stratfordch) 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 December 13, 2023. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed. Loneliness is as harmful to a person’s health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. The World Health Organization has even declared it a ‘global public health concern,’ echoing a warning by the top US health authority. But despite the alarm, experts say there are ways to cultivate a new culture of connection. In this episode: Niobe Way (@niobe_way), New York University Professor of Developmental Psychology Episode credits: This episode was updated by Tamara Khandaker. The original production team was Miranda Lin, Zaina Badr, Sarí el-Khalili, and our host Natasha Del Toro, in for 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

Trump has promised peace while vowing continued support for Israel for its ongoing war in Gaza and Lebanon. Now that he’s taking back the Oval Office, what can the Middle East expect?  In this episode: Daniel Levy, President of the US/Middle East Project  Episode credits: This episode was produced by Sarí el-Khalili, Sonia Bhagat, Khaled Soltan, and Amy Walters with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Cole Van Miltenburg, Duha Mosaad, Hagir Saleh, and 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. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Donald Trump is back. The former US president secured a decisive victory in Tuesday night’s election, and will take back the White House in January. Many believed support from women for Kamala Harris over issues like reproductive rights could decide the election in her favor. So what happened? And what does Trump’s comeback mean for women’s rights in the US? In this episode: Errin Haines (@errinhaines), Editor-At-Large, The 19th* Episode credits: This episode was produced by Ashish Malhotra, Sonia Bhagat, Tamara Khandaker with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Hagir Saleh, Duha Mosaad, Cole van Miltenburg, and 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. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio.  Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

With votes still being counted in the US election, the race isn't over. Both the Harris and Trump camps are preparing for possible legal battles, from ballot certification issues to potential cases before the Supreme Court. Americans have cast their votes – will the legal system ensure every ballot is counted? In this episode: Amir Badat (@AmirBadat), Manager of Black Voters on the Rise and Special Counsel at  Legal Defense Fund, NAACP Episode credits: This episode was produced by Amy Walters, Sonia Bhagat, Sarí el-Khalili with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Duha Mosaad, Hagir Saleh, Cole van Miltenburg, and 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. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

In the US election, seven battleground states could swing the contest toward Donald Trump or Kamala Harris. Voters in these states have faced a barrage of outreach and campaign visits. We hear from a panel of local journalists taking the pulse of their communities on the calculus of voters they’ve been talking to and the issues that matter most. In this episode: Ruth Conniff (@rconniff), Editor-in-Chief, Wisconsin Examiner  George Chidi (@neonflag), Politics and Democracy Reporter, The Guardian Sophia Lo (@sophiamaylo), Producer, City Cast Pittsburgh Episode credits: This episode was produced by Chloe K. Li, Sonia Bhagat, Ashish Malhotra, Khaled Soltan and Sarí el-Khalili with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Cole Van Miltenburg, Duha Mosaad, Hagir Saleh, and 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. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Arab and Muslim Americans in the state of Michigan are grappling with a critical choice this election. Nearly 400,000 Arab Americans in the state were instrumental in delivering Michigan to elect Joe Biden in 2020. This time, however, many feel betrayed by his administration’s support for Israel’s wars in Gaza and Lebanon. With candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris running neck and neck in Michigan, what stance will these voters take? In this episode: Ali Harb (@Harbpeace), Al Jazeera Journalist Episode credits: This episode was produced by Tamara Khandaker and Sarí el-Khalili, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Duha Mosaad, Hagir Saleh, Cole van Miltenburg, and our host, Malika Bilal.  The Take production team is Marcos Bartolomé, Sonia Bhagat, Sarí el-Khalili, Tamara Khandaker, Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, 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 Munera Al Dosari, 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. Israel's parliament voted to shut down UNRWA. Israel continued widespread attacks in Lebanon. U. S. presidential candidates wrapped up their campaigns. It is day 394 of the war in Gaza, where more than 43,259 Palestinians have been killed. There is one day until the US presidential election. In this episode: Hind Al Khoudary, (@Hind_Gaza) Al Jazeera Correspondent Zeina Khodr, (@ZeinakhodrAljaz) Al Jazeera Correspondent Teresa Bo, (@TeresaBo) 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 October 20, 2020. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed. From ballots and deadlines to envelopes and polling places, if it's part of the US election, there's probably a lawsuit about it. This is the most litigated election in US history, and decisions that could swing the result will come down to the nine unelected members of the Supreme Court. A newly appointed conservative justice has fueled fears about the court's power to decide whose votes count, and whose get thrown out. What does that mean for people of color who have fought decades of voter suppression? And what will the election mean for the future of the Supreme Court? In this episode: Franita Tolson (@ProfTolson), Vice Dean at The University of Southern California's Gould School of Law & Fellow with The Justice Collaborative Institute Ryan Doerfler (@rddoerfler), Professor at The University of Chicago Law School Episode credits: This episode was updated by Sarí el-Khalili. The original production team was Alexandra Locke, Negin Owliaei, Amy Walters, Dina Kesbeh, Ney Alvarez, Ony Nwaohuocha, Priyanka Tilve, and 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