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The Take

Al Jazeera
Gaza
Israel
Donald Trump
United States
Iran
Al Jazeera
Humanitarian Crisis
Hamas
Venezuela
Lebanon
Syria
Palestinians
Cuba
Ceasefire
Palestine
Human Rights
European Union
Artificial Intelligence
Hezbollah
Tiktok

The Take is a daily interview-driven international news podcast hosted by award-winning journalist Malika Bilal. Each episode focuses on conversations with journalists and people directly impacted by the news of the day, offering our listeners the context necessary to understand what's in the headlines.

With millions of global listens, it's clear the conversations we're having on The Take are wor... more

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Latest Episodes

As the US expands its war with Iran, opposition is growing - not just among the public, but inside the military itself. Some service members are questioning orders, exploring conscientious objection, and speaking out. What’s driving this shift, and h... more

Twelve elite British universities are accused of hiring a private security firm with military intelligence ties to track pro-Palestine student protests. Students were reportedly flagged through social media monitoring without their awareness, sparkin... more

YouTube

The United States has pulled its troops out of Syria, ending a decade-long presence. But the fight isn’t over. As power shifts on the ground, Kurdish forces, regional tensions, and fragile negotiations are reshaping the country’s future. What’s behin... more

This is The Flotillas, a three-part documentary series from The Take. Part 1: It was just a few boats and a radical idea – break the maritime siege of Gaza imposed by Israel. Today, that spark has grown into a defiant global movement, but Huwaida Arr... more

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Recent Guests

Natacha Danon
Executive Director at Syria Direct, based in Damascus
Syria Direct
Episode: The US exit from Syria, explained
Huwaida Arraf
Co-founder of the International Solidarity Movement
International Solidarity Movement
Episode: The Flotillas, Part 1: What does it take to sail to Gaza?
Seamus Malekafzali
Journalist and writer based in New York City; cohost of the Turbulence Podcast
Turbulence Podcast; journalist
Episode: Inside Kharg Island, Iran’s oil lifeline under threat
Farah Bayadsi
Human rights lawyer based in Jerusalem; represented Obaida Jawabra
Defense for Children International Palestine
Episode: Another Take: The life and death of one Palestinian child
Negin Owliaei
Editor-in-Chief of Truthout
Truthout
Episode: Will the US war machine doom the Iran ceasefire?
Trita Parsi
Executive Vice President of the Quincy Institute, policy analyst focusing on U.S. foreign policy and diplomacy
Quincy Institute
Episode: How Trump’s promise to ‘wipe out’ Iran could backfire on US power
Osama Bin Javaid
Senior correspondent for Al Jazeera English
Al Jazeera English
Episode: Why Pakistan is key in the US-Israel war on Iran
Tohid Asadi
Correspondent reporting from Tehran
Al Jazeera
Episode: Brief: Trump sets new deadline for Iran. Israel passes death penalty law for Palestinians.
John Hendren
Correspondent reporting from Washington, DC
Al Jazeera
Episode: Brief: Trump sets new deadline for Iran. Israel passes death penalty law for Palestinians.

Hosts

Malika Bilal
Award-winning journalist known for her interview-driven approach and in-depth coverage of international news.
Kevin Hirten
Host and journalist at Al Jazeera, contributing insights on various news stories with a focus on political implications.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 1.3k ratings
  • A weight-bearing news pillar

    No news outlet bears AJ's tragic distinction: most journalists killed during past 6 years. Most lives lost in Gaza and Yemen as AJ labored to report genocide and its perpetrators to a world that allows it. My complete respect. I grieve with you.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mammal_
    United States12 days ago
  • Non US Non BBC Take

    I appreciate a different perspective or take on the news. Interviewees are usually reflective, intelligent and well informed.

    I’m sick of the BBC bias and US censorship.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Scorpio 1611
    Ireland14 days ago
  • The best

    One of the best! Highly recommended!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Haykon!
    Netherlands15 days ago
  • Great International Perspective

    Truly one of my favorite news podcasts for its diverse, in depth, international stories. Recommend it to your friends and family.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Elyseh2004
    United States17 days ago
  • Unbiased, factual, truthful journalism and analysis

    AJ is one of the few outlets in the world that does not bow to the U.S. hegemony narrative. If you want to know the state of the world that isn’t filtered through American narratives, then you want The Take.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Compassion Curiosity Integrity
    United States23 days ago

Listeners Say

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Some reviews critical of certain perspectives suggest a diverse range of opinions among listeners, indicating strong engagement with the material.
Many find the discussions enlightening, noting the podcast's ability to provide perspective on stories often overlooked by mainstream media.
Listeners value the journalistic integrity and depth of analysis in the episodes, indicating a demand for high-quality reporting.
Listeners appreciate the diverse and informative content, highlighting its relevance in understanding complex global issues.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#53
United States/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#23
Canada/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#25
United Kingdom/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#99
Canada/News
Apple Podcasts
#157
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#29
Australia/News/Daily News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Why Pakistan is key in the US-Israel war on Iran
Q: What is Pakistan trying to achieve as a mediator, and how are other regional players weighing in?
Pakistan is positioning itself as a bridging power among Iran, the US, and GCC states, leveraging its regional ties and leadership's access to multiple sides to push for a middle ground—though real consensus remains elusive.
Why Pakistan is key in the US-Israel war on Iran
Q: And now there is big news that the US and Iran have received this two-tiered peace plan that would call a halt to the fighting. What can you tell us in this moment?
Sources in Pakistan suggest the plan's on the table but there is uncertainty about whether it's fully Pakistani-led or backed by multiple parties; the negotiations appear to be conducted behind closed doors with emphasis on credible, on-the-record sources.
How Trump’s promise to ‘wipe out’ Iran could backfire on US power
Q: Trita, what does this mean for diplomacy and the potential retreat after such threats?
Diplomacy is not dead, but credibility has been eroded by past actions; practical diplomacy may still be possible if serious, patient negotiations are pursued rather than muscle-flexing, and if the US signals a credible off-ramp and willingness to engage.
Another Take: The life and death of one Palestinian child
Q: What is your advice to the other children and families facing similar situations?
The guidance shifts responsibility away from children and toward the authorities and states to uphold international law and protect children's rights, emphasizing that Palestinians should not bear the burden of learning to navigate an unjust system.
How Asia became ground zero for the oil crisis
Q: Take us there. How did that go down?
Vina describes how the Philippines moved quickly to a four-day work week and encouraged remote work as a direct response to fuel shortages, while India faced immediate concerns for workers abroad and remittance flows, illustrating the varied but rapid measures governments implemented across Asia.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Take

What is The Take about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast presents a daily deep dive into international news through interviews with journalists and individuals directly affected by the most pressing stories. Conversations cover a wide range of topics, from ongoing conflicts and political dynamics to social movements and humanitarian crises, providing listeners with essential context to enrich their understanding of the headlines. The focus on diverse perspectives, often from underrepresented communities and global voices, creates a unique listening experience that stands out in the landscape of news podcasts. The production has received multiple awards for its journalistic quality, underscoring its value in delivering informative and thought-provoking content.

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Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Take. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Take and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Take get?

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How many subscribers and views does The Take have?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Take?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Take:

1. The Inside Story Podcast
2. Al Jazeera News Updates
3. Al Jazeera
4. The Intercept Briefing
5. Democracy Now! Audio

How many episodes of The Take are there?

The Take launched 8 years ago and published 750 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Take?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Take?

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What guests have appeared on The Take?

Recent guests on The Take include:

1. Natacha Danon
2. Huwaida Arraf
3. Seamus Malekafzali
4. Farah Bayadsi
5. Negin Owliaei
6. Trita Parsi
7. Osama Bin Javaid
8. Tohid Asadi

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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