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 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

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>

The Flotillas, Part 1: What does it take to sail to Gaza?

This week: 200 days into a ceasefire, Israel has killed at least 773 Palestinians in Gaza. Tensions continue in the Strait of Hormuz. Israel draws yellow line in Lebanon. Palestinian Prisoner Day with 10,000 imprisoned. Israel has killed more than 72,549 Palestinians in Gaza since October 7th, 2023.

 

In this episode:
Ali Hashem (@alihashem), Al Jazeera correspondent
Heidi Pett, (@heidipett_) Al Jazeera Correspondent
Obaida Hitto, (@obaida.hitto) Al Jazeera Correspondent
Dalya Al Masri, (@dalya_masri) Al Jazeera Journalist
Nour Odeh, (@nourodeh) 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: 200 days into a ceasefire, Israel has killed at least 773 Palestinians in Gaza. Tensions continue in the Strait of Hormuz. Israel draws yellow line in Lebanon. Palestinian Prisoner Day with 10,000 imprisoned. Israel has killed more than 72,549 Palestinians in Gaza since October 7th, 2023.
&nbsp;
In this episode:
<ul>
<li>Ali Hashem (@alihashem), Al Jazeera correspondent</li>
<li>Heidi Pett, (@heidipett_) Al Jazeera Correspondent</li>
<li>Obaida Hitto,&nbsp;(@obaida.hitto) Al Jazeera Correspondent</li>
<li>Dalya Al Masri, (@dalya_masri) Al Jazeera Journalist</li>
<li>Nour Odeh, (@nourodeh) Al Jazeera Correspondent</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
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.
&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>

Brief: Tensions continue in the Strait of Hormuz. Israel draws yellow line in Lebanon 

Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on August 16, 2024. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed.

Farmers forced to leave their fields, children out of school, and white phosphorus devastating lives – all this hangs over life in southern Lebanon, where the ongoing threat of escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah has been a constant presence for decades. How do residents continue to cope with these challenges?

In this episode: 
Sara Salman (@sara_salman), AJ+ Journalist

Episode credits:

This episode was updated by Chloe K. Li. The original production team was Tamara Khandaker, Ashish Malhotra, and Sonia Bhagat, with Manahil Naveed, Veronique Eshaya 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

Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on August 16, 2024. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed.
Farmers forced to leave their fields, children out of school, and white phosphorus devastating lives &ndash; all this hangs over life in southern Lebanon, where the ongoing threat of escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah has been a constant presence for decades. How do residents continue to cope with these challenges?
In this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Sara Salman (<a href="https://x.com/sara_salman?lang=en">@sara_salman</a>), AJ+ Journalist</li>
</ul>
Episode credits:
This episode was updated by Chloe K. Li. The original production team was Tamara Khandaker, Ashish Malhotra, and Sonia Bhagat, with Manahil Naveed, Veronique Eshaya 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 <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

In 1 playlist(s)

The Take

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips