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 how far could it go?

In this episode: 
Mike Prysner (@MikePrysner), Executive Director of the Center on Conscience & War 

Episode credits: 

This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé, Tamara Khandaker, and Sarí El-Khalili with Spencer Cline, Tuleen Barakat, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Tamara Khandaker and Noor Wazwaz. 

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

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&rsquo;s driving this shift, and how far could it go?
In this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Mike Prysner (<a href="https://x.com/MikePrysner?s=20">@MikePrysner</a>), Executive Director of the Center on Conscience &amp; War&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Episode credits:&nbsp;
This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolom&eacute;, Tamara Khandaker, and Sar&iacute; El-Khalili with Spencer Cline, Tuleen Barakat, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Tamara Khandaker and Noor Wazwaz.&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.
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.

The Take

The Take - Disco

How Trump’s Iran war is driving military dissent

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, sparking debate over surveillance and free speech in UK higher education. 

Learn more about the campus accountability mapping project. 

In this episode: 
Aaron Walawalkar (@AaronWala), Investigative Reporter, Liberty Investigations

Episode credits:

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

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

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, sparking debate over surveillance and free speech in UK higher education.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.campusprotest.org.uk/">Learn more</a> about the campus accountability mapping project.&nbsp;
In this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Aaron Walawalkar (<a href="https://x.com/AaronWala?s=20">@AaronWala</a>), Investigative Reporter, Liberty Investigations</li>
</ul>
Episode credits:
This episode was produced by Chloe K. Li and Sar&iacute; el-Khalili with Spencer Cline, Catherine Nouhan, Tuleen Barakat and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Tamara Khandaker and Noor Wazwaz.&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.&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>

Did UK universities pay to ‘spy’ on pro‑Palestine students? 

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 behind the decision, and what comes next?

In this episode: 
Natacha Danon (@natacha_danon), Journalist 

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by David Enders, Marcos Bartolomé and Sarí el-Khalili with Catherine Nouhan, Tuleen Barakat, and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz and Tamara Khandakar. 

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

The United States has pulled its troops out of Syria, ending a decade-long presence. But the fight isn&rsquo;t over. As power shifts on the ground, Kurdish forces, regional tensions, and fragile negotiations are reshaping the country&rsquo;s future. What&rsquo;s behind the decision, and what comes next?
In this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Natacha Danon (<a href="https://x.com/natacha_danon?s=20">@natacha_danon</a>), Journalist&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Episode credits:
This episode was produced by David Enders, Marcos Bartolom&eacute; and Sar&iacute; el-Khalili with Catherine Nouhan, Tuleen Barakat, and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz and Tamara Khandakar.&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 <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>

The US exit from Syria, explained

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 Arraf has been confronting Israel on land and at sea for more than two decades.

In 2025, she once again prepared to sail to Gaza on the ship Handala. This time, the stakes were different. As a mother of two, Huwaida navigated not only the risks of confronting a naval blockade, but also what it means to continue the fight while raising a family. 

This is the story of how a small, unlikely mission at sea grew into an international movement, and what keeps its earliest leaders going despite the personal cost.  

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

This is The Flotillas, a three-part documentary series from The Take. Part 1: It was just a few boats and a radical idea &ndash; break the maritime siege of Gaza imposed by Israel. Today, that spark has grown into a defiant global movement, but Huwaida Arraf has been confronting Israel on land and at sea for more than two decades.
In 2025, she once again prepared to sail to Gaza on the ship Handala. This time, the stakes were different. As a mother of two, Huwaida navigated not only the risks of confronting a naval blockade, but also what it means to continue the fight while raising a family.&nbsp;
This is the story of how a small, unlikely mission at sea grew into an international movement, and what keeps its earliest leaders going despite the personal cost.&nbsp;&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>

How Trump’s Iran war is driving military dissent

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