Israel and Lebanon have held their first direct talks in more than 30 years, and now there are signs of a possible ceasefire. But months of fighting have reshaped parts of southern Lebanon. As people begin to return, what will they find? And can diplomacy hold while the reality on the ground remains fragile?

In this episode: 
Justin Salhani (@JustinSalhani), Al Jazeera Journalist

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Noor Wazwaz and Chloe K. Li with Spencer Cline, Tuleen Barakat, Catherine Nouhan, David Enders, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Tamara Khandaker and Sarí el-Khalili. 

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Rick Rush mixed this episode. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhemm. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. 

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Israel and Lebanon have held their first direct talks in more than 30 years, and now there are signs of a possible ceasefire. But months of fighting have reshaped parts of southern Lebanon. As people begin to return, what will they find? And can diplomacy hold while the reality on the ground remains fragile?
In this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Justin Salhani (<a href="https://x.com/JustinSalhani?s=20">@JustinSalhani</a>), Al Jazeera Journalist</li>
</ul>
Episode credits:
This episode was produced by Noor Wazwaz and Chloe K. Li with Spencer Cline, Tuleen Barakat, Catherine Nouhan, David Enders, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Tamara Khandaker and Sar&iacute; el-Khalili.&nbsp;
Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Rick Rush mixed this episode. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhemm. Alexandra Locke is The Take&rsquo;s executive producer. 
Connect with us:
@AJEPodcasts on&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/AJEPodcasts">X</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/ajepodcasts/">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/AJEPodcasts">Facebook</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzGHKb8i9vTwjZkiFu6LhzsLUKFkYO60I">YouTube</a>

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 worth hearing. And critics think so too. The show has won the Online Journalism Awards, the Signal Awards, Lovie Awards, and Anthem Awards, among others.

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 worth hearing. And critics think so too. The show has won the Online Journalism Awards, the Signal Awards, Lovie Awards, and Anthem Awards, among others.

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The Take - Disco

A possible ceasefire in Lebanon — will it hold?

On Tax Day, trillions flow into the United States government. But new analysis shows a significant share is directed toward war, defense contractors, and border enforcement, while healthcare and food assistance face mounting pressures and cuts. As deficits grow and everyday costs rise, what do these budget choices reveal about who the system is built to serve, both in the US and beyond?

In this episode: 
Lindsay Koshgarian (@lindsaykosh), Program Director, National Priorities Project

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé and David Enders with Tamara Khandaker, Catherine Nouhan, Tuleen Barakat, Adhil Veetil, Firas Yateem, Michel Bou Dagher, and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Sarí el-Khalili. 

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhemm. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. 

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

On Tax Day, trillions flow into the United States government. But new analysis shows a significant share is directed toward war, defense contractors, and border enforcement, while healthcare and food assistance face mounting pressures and cuts. As deficits grow and everyday costs rise, what do these budget choices reveal about who the system is built to serve, both in the US and beyond?
In this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Lindsay Koshgarian (<a href="https://x.com/lindsaykosh?s=20">@lindsaykosh</a>), Program Director, National Priorities Project</li>
</ul>
Episode credits:
This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolom&eacute; and David Enders with Tamara Khandaker, Catherine Nouhan, Tuleen Barakat, Adhil Veetil, Firas Yateem, Michel Bou Dagher, and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Sar&iacute; el-Khalili.&nbsp;
Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhemm. Alexandra Locke is The Take&rsquo;s executive producer.&nbsp;
Connect with us:
@AJEPodcasts on&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/AJEPodcasts">X</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/ajepodcasts/">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/AJEPodcasts">Facebook</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzGHKb8i9vTwjZkiFu6LhzsLUKFkYO60I">YouTube</a>

More than $5 trillion in US taxes: Who gets it?

Why is Sudan still at war? The answer starts with the powers fuelling the conflict. Three years into the fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, millions are displaced and famine continues. With the US-Israeli war on Iran and the Strait of Hormuz driving up fuel and food costs, what will it take to put an end to the conflict?

In this episode: 
Dallia Abdelmoniem (@dalliasd), Political Analyst 

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Tamara Khandaker, with Noor Wazwaz, Sarí el-Khalili, Spencer Cline, Chloe K. Li, Tuleen Barakat, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Alexandra Locke. 

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. 

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Why is Sudan still at war? The answer starts with the powers fuelling the conflict. Three years into the fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, millions are displaced and famine continues. With the US-Israeli war on Iran and the Strait of Hormuz driving up fuel and food costs, what will it take to put an end to the conflict?
In this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Dallia Abdelmoniem (<a href="https://x.com/dalliasd?s=20">@dalliasd</a>), Political Analyst&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Episode credits:
This episode was produced by Tamara Khandaker, with Noor Wazwaz, Sar&iacute; el-Khalili, Spencer Cline, Chloe K. Li, Tuleen Barakat, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Alexandra Locke.&nbsp;
Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take&rsquo;s executive producer.&nbsp;
Connect with us:
@AJEPodcasts on&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/AJEPodcasts">X</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/ajepodcasts/">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/AJEPodcasts">Facebook</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzGHKb8i9vTwjZkiFu6LhzsLUKFkYO60I">YouTube</a>

Who is keeping the fight alive in Sudan’s war? 

 US President Donald Trump announced a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz after talks between Iran and the US failed to produce an agreement. Israel continued to attack Lebanon ahead of planned talks between those two countries on Tuesday. It has been 45 days since the US and Israel attacked Iran.

In this episode:
Heidi Zhou Castro, (@HeidiZhouCastro) Al Jazeera  Correspondent
Tohid Asadi, Al Jazeera Correspondent 
Heidi Pett, (@heidipett) Al Jazeera  Correspondent

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by David Enders. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Alexandra Locke is the Take's Executive Producer. 

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

US President Donald Trump announced a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz after talks between Iran and the US failed to produce an agreement. Israel continued to attack Lebanon ahead of planned talks between those two countries on Tuesday. It has been 45 days since the US and Israel attacked Iran.
In this episode:
<ul>
<li>Heidi Zhou Castro, (<a href="https://x.com/HeidiZhouCastro">@HeidiZhouCastro</a>) Al Jazeera&nbsp; Correspondent</li>
<li>Tohid Asadi, Al Jazeera Correspondent&nbsp;</li>
<li>Heidi Pett, (<a href="https://x.com/heidipett">@heidipett</a>) Al Jazeera&nbsp; Correspondent</li>
</ul>
Episode credits:
This episode was produced by David Enders. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Alexandra Locke is the Take's Executive Producer.&nbsp;
Connect with us:
@AJEPodcasts on <a href="https://twitter.com/AJEPodcasts">X</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ajepodcasts/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AJEPodcasts">Facebook</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzGHKb8i9vTwjZkiFu6LhzsLUKFkYO60I">YouTube</a>

A possible ceasefire in Lebanon — will it hold?

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