The Take

What does the wave of coups in the Sahel mean for its people? Since 2020, Central and West Africa have faced more than 10 coup attempts. Meanwhile, global powers are shifting, as Russia eclipses France and the United States in the region’s geopolitics. In a region where people are demanding security and dignity, what could lie ahead for the rest of the decade? In this episode: Nicolas Haque ( @nic...

As Israel’s war on Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and Iran continues, we’re coming to you on Sundays with a weekly roundup. This week: Hamas announced the death of an Israeli captive. Wide scale Israeli strikes continued in Gaza and Lebanon. Palestinian fears of the annexation of the West Bank are increasing. It is day 415 of the war in Gaza, where more than 44,000 Palestinians have been killed...

Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on November 14, 2022. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed. Fossil fuels are a time bomb, and humans are entitled to stop them. That’s the argument of “How to Blow Up a Pipeline,” a book by Andreas Malm calling for activist groups like Just Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion to ado...

The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif. These arrest warrants will now be sent to all 124 member states of the ICC. What does it mean for the men who have been charged – and the future of the ICC? In this episode: Mark Kersten ( @MarkKersten ), Assist...

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,...

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 credit...

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...

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 ) Profe...

As Israel’s war on Gaza and Lebanon continues, we're coming to you on Sundays with a weekly roundup. This week: 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 at least 43,665 Palestinians have been killed.  In this episode: Hind Al Khoudar...

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...

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-K...

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 (...

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...

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+ Episod...

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 ( @luciane...

As Israel’s war on Gaza and Lebanon continues, we're coming to you on Sundays with a weekly roundup. This week: 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 at least 43,552 Palestinians have been killed.  In this episode: Ibrahim...

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 desp...

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, C...

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 ( @errinh...

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 Spec...

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-...

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 Mic...

As Israel’s war on Gaza and Lebanon continues, we're coming to you on Sundays with a weekly roundup. This week: 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 at least 43,259 Palestinians have been killed. There is one day until the US presidential...

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...

Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein is polling at 2% nationally, drawing attention from US voters as the ‘anti-genocide’ candidate for her opposition to US support for Israel. Her opponents in the Democratic Party label her a “spoiler” in key swing states. So what is she trying to achieve – and what does her candidacy say about the state of US democracy? In this episode: Jill Stein ( @Dr...