Iran and the United States are heading into a third round of indirect nuclear negotiations in Geneva, while US military assets build up across the region. Is either side prepared to compromise, or is the confrontation at a breaking point?

In this episode: 
Sina Toossi, Senior Fellow, Center for International Policy 

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Noor Wazwaz, Melanie Marich, and Marcos Bartolomé, with Spencer Cline, Tamara Khandaker, Tuleen Barakat, Maya Hamadeh, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Alexandra Locke and Sarí el-Khalili. 

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. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. 

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Iran and the United States are heading into a third round of indirect nuclear negotiations in Geneva, while US military assets build up across the region. Is either side prepared to compromise, or is the confrontation at a breaking point?
In this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://x.com/SinaToossi">Sina Toossi, </a>Senior Fellow, Center for International Policy&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Episode credits:
This episode was produced by Noor Wazwaz, Melanie Marich, and Marcos Bartolom&eacute;, with Spencer Cline, Tamara Khandaker, Tuleen Barakat, Maya Hamadeh, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Alexandra Locke and Sar&iacute; el-Khalili.&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. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera&rsquo;s head of audio.&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

 Is the US negotiating with Iran or preparing to strike?

Mexico says it killed El Mencho, leader of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel. Within hours, highways burned and violence spread across multiple states. His death is being called a victory, but removing a kingpin doesn’t dismantle a cartel. What changes now for Mexico, and what doesn’t?

In this episode: 
Andalusia K Soloff (@Andalalucha), Journalist & Filmmaker

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Noor Wazwaz, Sonia Bhagat, and Marcos Bartolome, with Spencer Cline, Tamara Khandaker, Tuleen Barakat and our host, Malika Bilal. 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. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. 

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Mexico says it killed El Mencho, leader of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel. Within hours, highways burned and violence spread across multiple states. His death is being called a victory, but removing a kingpin doesn&rsquo;t dismantle a cartel. What changes now for Mexico, and what doesn&rsquo;t?
In this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Andalusia K Soloff (<a href="https://x.com/Andalalucha">@Andalalucha</a>), Journalist &amp; Filmmaker</li>
</ul>
Episode credits:
This episode was produced by Noor Wazwaz, Sonia Bhagat, and Marcos Bartolome, with Spencer Cline, Tamara Khandaker, Tuleen Barakat and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Sar&iacute; el-Khalili.
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. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera&rsquo;s head of audio.&nbsp;
Connect with us:
@AJEPodcasts on&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/AJEPodcasts">Twitter</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/ajepodcasts/">Instagram,&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AJEPodcasts">Facebook</a>

What El Mencho’s death means for Mexico’s cartels

As US President Donald Trump prepares to deliver his State of the Union address, we look at what he’s expected to outline, from foreign policy tensions and sweeping tariffs to immigration crackdowns, and the influence of the conservative blueprint known as Project 2025 on his agenda. What direction is he setting for his country next?

In this episode: 
Amanda Becker, Journalist

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolome and Melanie Marich, with Spencer Cline, Tamara Khandaker, Tuleen Barakat, Maya Hamadeh and our host, Malika Bilal. 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. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. 

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

As US President Donald Trump prepares to deliver his State of the Union address, we look at what he&rsquo;s expected to outline, from foreign policy tensions and sweeping tariffs to immigration crackdowns, and the influence of the conservative blueprint known as Project 2025 on his agenda. What direction is he setting for his country next?
In this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Amanda Becker, Journalist</li>
</ul>
Episode credits:
This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolome and Melanie Marich, with Spencer Cline, Tamara Khandaker, Tuleen Barakat, Maya Hamadeh and our host, Malika Bilal. 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. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera&rsquo;s head of audio.&nbsp;
Connect with us:
@AJEPodcasts on&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/AJEPodcasts">Twitter</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/ajepodcasts/">Instagram,&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AJEPodcasts">Facebook</a>

What to expect from Trump’s State of the Union address

Acclaimed author Omar El Akkad writes a powerful reflection of Western hypocrisy over Gaza in his book, One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This. We speak to El Akkad on the immense suffering that has occurred over the past two years of Israel's genocidal war and examine how Western liberals failed the people of Gaza.

This is a story from the archives. This originally aired on October 10, 2025. None of the dates, titles or other references from that time have been changed. 

In this episode: 
Omar El Akkad, Writer 

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Haleema Shah, Amy Walters, and Tracie Hunte with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Duha Mossad, Farhan Rafid, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Kylene Kiang. 

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. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio.

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Acclaimed author Omar El Akkad writes a powerful reflection of Western hypocrisy over Gaza in his book, One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This. We speak to El Akkad on the immense suffering that has occurred over the past two years of Israel's genocidal war and examine how Western liberals failed the people of Gaza.
This is a story from the archives. This originally aired on October 10, 2025. None of the dates, titles or other references from that time have been changed.&nbsp;
In this episode: 
<ul>
<li>Omar El Akkad, Writer&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Episode credits:
This episode was produced by Haleema Shah, Amy Walters, and Tracie Hunte with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Duha Mossad, Farhan Rafid, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Kylene Kiang.&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. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera&rsquo;s head of audio.
Connect with us:
@AJEPodcasts on&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/AJEPodcasts">Twitter</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/ajepodcasts/">Instagram,&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AJEPodcasts">Facebook</a>

Is the US negotiating with Iran or preparing to strike?

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