The Take

Thousands of prisoners held in Syria’s notorious prisons remain unaccounted for, days after President Bashar al-Assad fled for Russia. Families face an agonising search for their loved ones during a bittersweet moment of freedom. We dive into the emotional toll and the ongoing fight for answers. In this episode: Wafa Ali Mustafa ( @WafaMustafa9 ), Syrian activist Justin Salhani ( @JustinSalh...

When everything is lost, what remains? For Mosab Abu Toha, it’s poetry. He shares how his verses capture the grief and resilience of Gaza in the midst of destruction. In this episode: Mosab Abu Toha ( @MosabAbuToha ), Palestinian Poet Episode credits: This episode was produced by Sarí el-Khalili, Sonia Bhagat, and Amy Walters, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Duha Mosaad, Cole van M...

In an 11-day offensive, Syrian opposition fighters have ended more than 50 years of Assad family rule. President Bashar al-Assad has fled to Moscow. As the Syrian people celebrate the fall of the regime, where will their country go from here? In this episode: Arwa Damon ( @IamArwaDamon ), President and Founder of INARA  Episode credits: This episode was produced by Khaled Soltan, Sarí el-Khalili,...

As Israel’s war on Gaza and Lebanon continues, we're coming to you on Sundays with a weekly roundup. This week: Syrian opposition fighters have declared victory over the government of Bashar Assad. Israel continues to attack medical infrastructure in Gaza. It is day 429 of the war in Gaza, where at least 44,580 Palestinians have been killed. In this episode: Zeina Khodr, ( @ZeinakhodrAljaz )...

Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on July 22, 2022. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed. One in six people around the world live with some form of disability and many of them face daily challenges that include just getting around. Al Jazeera’s innovation studio, AJ Contrast, tells the story of three women with di...

Notre Dame of Paris is reopening with great fanfare after a $1bn rebuilding effort following a devastating fire nearly six years ago. But why do some architectural treasures receive attention and resources, while others are overlooked? Who decides what history to preserve? In this episode: Léopold Lambert @TheFunambulist_ , Architect and Editor-in-Chief of  The Funambulist Episode credits: This ep...

A wild six hours ensued in South Korea after President Yoon Suk-yeol suddenly declared martial law. Parliament swiftly countered, ending the brief crisis, but Yoon’s political future now hangs in the balance. How did South Korea get here? And how will its brief brush with martial law reshape its political future? In this episode: Se-Woong Koo, Managing Editor of Korea Exposé Episode credits: This...

Angola rolls out the red carpet for US President Joe Biden’s last-ditch trip to Africa. With just over a month left in office, what does Biden’s trip reveal about the US scramble to reassert itself in the continent? In this episode: Cláudio Silva ( @CaipLounge ), Political Analyst Episode credits: This episode was produced by Tamara Khandaker and Sonia Bhagat with Sarí el-Khalili, Hagir Saleh, Duh...

Over the past week, Syrian opposition fighters have seized control of Aleppo and advanced further south towards Hama. This unexpected move has reignited what was largely a frozen conflict. In response, the Syrian Army, with support from Russia and reportedly, Iraqi militias, has intensified bombing campaigns on opposition-held areas. So, what’s next for Syria’s war? In this episode: Qutaiba Idlbi...

At just 13, Leyan, an amputee from Gaza, travels to the United States for medical treatment. Her journey reflects the immense challenges faced by thousands of children who have lost limbs in the war, underscoring their ongoing struggles and the urgent need for the world’s attention. Our guest, filmmaker Rhana Natour, tells Leyan’s story in All That Remains, a Fault Lines documentary, on Al Jazeera...

As Israel’s war on Gaza and Lebanon continues, we're coming to you on Sundays with a weekly roundup. This week: Palestinians in Gaza are preparing for a winter with little aid. Lebanon begins cleaning up as a ceasefire takes effect. Rebels fighting the Syrian government have begun a surprise offensive. It is day 422 of the war in Gaza, where at least 44,382 Palestinians have been killed. In...

Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on August 2, 2024. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed. Big names in Big Tech are in for a second Trump presidency, from Donald Trump’s vice presidential pick, JD Vance, to millions of dollars in monthly campaign donations. What’s behind some tech billionaires’ embrace of the rig...

A third of greenhouse gas emissions come from the food industry, largely from meat, dairy and eggs. The international Plant Based Treaty aims to combat this by advocating for a vegan diet as a key solution to climate change. Backed by cities, universities, Nobel laureates and thousands of individuals, it seeks to align global efforts with the Paris Agreement. In this episode: Juan Pablo Casadiego...

A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah has taken effect, aiming to end more than a year of war in Lebanon. As displaced families return home and celebrations erupt in Lebanon’s streets, uncertainty looms over how long the fragile peace will last. In this episode: Justin Salhani ( @JustinSalhani ), Al Jazeera Journalist Episode credits: This episode was produced by Tamara Khandaker, Sonia Bhagat,...

Imprisoned people are setting themselves on fire at a US jail. At Red Onion State Prison in Virginia, we examine the racism and abuse that leave them feeling they have no other way to protest. Are these issues isolated to Red Onion, or do they reflect a deeper, systemic problem within US prisons? UPDATE: On Wednesday, November 27th, the Virginia Department of Corrections shared a statement with  T...

Hundreds of illegal gold miners known as “Zama Zamas” are in an underground standoff against police in South Africa. Authorities are cutting off food and supplies to lure the miners out. As the standoff intensifies, their lives are threatened, thousands of feet below ground. In this episode: Kimon de Greef ( @kimon_de_greef ), Journalist Episode credits: This episode was produced by Khaled Soltan...

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...