‘A whole civilization will die tonight’ was the latest in US President Donald Trump’s escalating threats to Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz. As the stakes rise, what potential does this brinkmanship have to reshape global power? 

In this episode: 
Trita Parsi (@tparsi), Executive Vice President, Quincy Institute

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé and Chloe K. Li, with Spencer Cline, Catherine Nouhan, Tuleen Barakat, David Enders, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Tamara Khandaker. 

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

&lsquo;A whole civilization will die tonight&rsquo; was the latest in US President Donald Trump&rsquo;s escalating threats to Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz. As the stakes rise, what potential does this brinkmanship have to reshape global power?&nbsp;
In this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Trita Parsi (<a href="https://x.com/tparsi?s=20">@tparsi</a>), Executive Vice President, Quincy Institute</li>
</ul>
Episode credits:
This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolom&eacute; and Chloe K. Li, with Spencer Cline, Catherine Nouhan, Tuleen Barakat, David Enders, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Tamara Khandaker.&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 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 promise to ‘wipe out’ Iran could backfire on US power

This is a story from the archives. This originally aired on August 19, 2025. None of the dates, titles or other references from that time have been changed. 

With nearly three million Twitch followers, Hasan Piker is one of the internet’s biggest political streamers. He blends humor, culture, and masculinity talk with sharp political commentary, drawing young men away from the US alt-right. And on Gaza, he has become one of the loudest US voices for Palestine.

In this episode: 
Hasan Piker (@hasanthehun), Online Streamer & Political Commentator

Episode credits:

This episode was updated by Tamara Khandaker. The original production team was Tracie Hunte, Sonia Bhagat, Chloe K. Li, Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Melanie Marich, Julia Muldavin, Kisaa Zehra, Farhan Rafid, Sarí el-Khalili, and our host, Malika Bilal.

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our engagement producers are Adam Abou-Gad and Vienna Maglio. Andrew Greiner is lead of audience engagement. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer.

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

This is a story from the archives. This originally aired on August 19, 2025. None of the dates, titles or other references from that time have been changed.&nbsp;
With nearly three million Twitch followers, Hasan Piker is one of the internet&rsquo;s biggest political streamers. He blends humor, culture, and masculinity talk with sharp political commentary, drawing young men away from the US alt-right. And on Gaza, he has become one of the loudest US voices for Palestine.
In this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Hasan Piker (<a href="https://x.com/hasanthehun">@hasanthehun</a>), Online Streamer &amp; Political Commentator</li>
</ul>
Episode credits:
This episode was updated by Tamara Khandaker. The original production team was Tracie Hunte, Sonia Bhagat, Chloe K. Li, Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Melanie Marich, Julia Muldavin, Kisaa Zehra, Farhan Rafid, Sar&iacute; el-Khalili, and our host, Malika Bilal.
Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our engagement producers are Adam Abou-Gad and Vienna Maglio. Andrew Greiner is lead of audience engagement. 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>

Twitch to politics: Hasan Piker on Gaza and the US right-wing

This week: 235 days into a ceasefire, Israel has killed at least 880 Palestinians in Gaza. The Iran and US were said to be making progress in negotiations. World Central Kitchen reduces its work in Gaza. Israel deports international activists. Israel has killed more than 72,775 Palestinians in Gaza since October 7th, 2023.

In this episode:
Tohid Asadi, Al Jazeera Correspondent
Tareq Abu Azzoum, (@abuoazzum) Al Jazeera Journalist
Nida Ibrahim, (@nida_aljazeera) Al Jazeera Correspondent

Episode credits:

This episode was produced and mixed by Marthe van der Wolf. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Andrew Greiner and Munera AlDosari is our engagement producer. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer.

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

This week: 235 days into a ceasefire, Israel has killed at least 880 Palestinians in Gaza. The Iran and US were said to be making progress in negotiations. World Central Kitchen reduces its work in Gaza. Israel deports international activists. Israel has killed more than 72,775 Palestinians in Gaza since October 7th, 2023.
In this episode:
<ul>
<li>Tohid Asadi, Al Jazeera Correspondent</li>
<li>Tareq Abu Azzoum, (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/abuoazzum/">@abuoazzum</a>) Al Jazeera Journalist</li>
<li>Nida Ibrahim, (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/nida_aljazeera/?hl=en">@nida_aljazeera</a>) Al Jazeera Correspondent</li>
</ul>
Episode credits:
This episode was produced and mixed by Marthe van der Wolf. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Andrew Greiner and Munera AlDosari is our engagement producer. 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>

Brief: Trump says Iran deal close, World Central Kitchen cuts Gaza aid

Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on February 21, 2021. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed.

Two viruses, two vaccines, one unequal system: Guinean health officials declared an Ebola epidemic after reporting the first cases of the virus since West Africa’s deadly outbreak ended in 2016. One thing that has changed since that last outbreak: the availability of a vaccine. But like we have seen with the coronavirus pandemic, the existence of a vaccine does not necessarily mean access to one.

In this episode: 
Nicolas Haque, Al Jazeera journalist
Gladys Archange, Guinea country representative for Catholic Relief Services.


Episode credits:

This episode was updated by Marthe van der Wolf. The original production team was Negin Owliaei, Malika Bilal, Priyanka Tilve, Dina Kesbeh, Alexandra Locke, Ney Alvarez and Amy Walters.

Alex Roldan is our sound designer. Natalia Aldana is the engagement producer. Stacey Samuel is The Take’s executive producer.

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our engagement producers are Adam Abou-Gad and Vienna Maglio. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer.

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on February 21, 2021. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed.
Two viruses, two vaccines, one unequal system: Guinean health officials declared an Ebola epidemic after reporting the first cases of the virus since West Africa&rsquo;s deadly outbreak ended in 2016. One thing that has changed since that last outbreak: the availability of a vaccine. But like we have seen with the coronavirus pandemic, the existence of a vaccine does not necessarily mean access to one.
In this episode: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://twitter.com/nicolashaque">Nicolas Haque</a>, Al Jazeera journalist</li>
<li>Gladys Archange, Guinea country representative for <a href="https://www.crs.org/">Catholic Relief Services</a>. </li>
</ul>
Episode credits:
This episode was updated by Marthe van der Wolf. The original production team was Negin Owliaei, Malika Bilal, Priyanka Tilve, Dina Kesbeh, Alexandra Locke, Ney Alvarez and Amy Walters.
Alex Roldan is our sound designer. Natalia Aldana is the engagement producer. Stacey Samuel is The Take&rsquo;s executive producer.
Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our engagement producers are Adam Abou-Gad and Vienna Maglio. 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>

How Trump’s promise to ‘wipe out’ Iran could backfire on US power

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