US President Donald Trump says removing President Nicolas Maduro is about reclaiming Venezuela’s oil. But as Washington pushes for access, major oil companies are hesitating. Why is Venezuela being labeled “uninvestable,” and what does that skepticism reveal about power, instability and the future of Venezuela’s vast oil reserves?

In this episode: 
Anneke Ball (@annekeball), Journalist

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé and Melanie Marich, with Tamara Khandaker, and our host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Ney Alvarez 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. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio.

US President Donald Trump says removing President Nicolas Maduro is about reclaiming Venezuela&rsquo;s oil. But as Washington pushes for access, major oil companies are hesitating. Why is Venezuela being labeled &ldquo;uninvestable,&rdquo; and what does that skepticism reveal about power, instability and the future of Venezuela&rsquo;s vast oil reserves?
In this episode: 
<ul>
<li>Anneke Ball (<a href="https://x.com/annekeball">@annekeball</a>), Journalist</li>
</ul>
Episode credits:
This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolom&eacute; and Melanie Marich, with Tamara Khandaker, and our host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Ney Alvarez 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. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera&rsquo;s head of audio.

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

After seizures, sanctions and collapse, can Venezuela ever win back Big Oil’s trust?

Why is Venezuela ‘uninvestable’ for Big Oil?

Iran’s protests started with economic demands. Now, the Iranian government says it’s ready for war. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has told Iranian protesters that “help is on the way,” as Washington discusses military options. Could tension spread far beyond Iran?

In this episode: 
Negar Mortazavi (@NegarMortazavi), Center for International Policy Senior Fellow and Host of The Iran Podcast

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Sarí el-Khalili, Chloe K. Li, and Melanie Marich with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Tamara Khandaker, Noor Wazwaz and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Ney Alvarez. 

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 X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Iran&rsquo;s protests started with economic demands. Now, the Iranian government says it&rsquo;s ready for war. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has told Iranian protesters that &ldquo;help is on the way,&rdquo; as Washington discusses military options. Could tension spread far beyond Iran?
In this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Negar Mortazavi (<a href="https://x.com/NegarMortazavi">@NegarMortazavi</a>), Center for International Policy Senior Fellow and Host of The Iran Podcast</li>
</ul>
Episode credits:
This episode was produced by Sar&iacute; el-Khalili, Chloe K. Li, and Melanie Marich with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Tamara Khandaker, Noor Wazwaz and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Ney Alvarez.&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">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>

Iran, Trump, and the deadliest crackdown on protests yet

A ceasefire in Aleppo has halted days of deadly fighting, after clashes between Syrian forces and Kurdish fighters. With civilians displaced and trust deeply shaken, questions are growing about whether Syria’s post-war transition can survive long term.

In this episode: 
Bernard Smith (@JazeeraBernard), Correspondent, Al Jazeera

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Noor Wazwaz and Melanie Marich, with Tamara Khandaker,  David Enders and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Kylene Kiang and Ney Alvarez. 

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 X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

A ceasefire in Aleppo has halted days of deadly fighting, after clashes between Syrian forces and Kurdish fighters. With civilians displaced and trust deeply shaken, questions are growing about whether Syria&rsquo;s post-war transition can survive long term.
In this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Bernard Smith (<a href="https://x.com/JazeeraBernard">@JazeeraBernard</a>), Correspondent, Al Jazeera</li>
</ul>
Episode credits:
This episode was produced by Noor Wazwaz and Melanie Marich, with Tamara Khandaker,&nbsp; David Enders and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Kylene Kiang and Ney Alvarez.&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">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>

What Aleppo’s fighting reveals about Syria’s fragile peace

A deadly ICE operation in Minneapolis has sparked protests and political conflict. US officials say a federal immigration agent acted in self-defense, while local leaders, citing video evidence, reject that narrative and demand accountability. With investigations ongoing and trust fractured between federal and local authorities, what does this moment reveal about who controls oversight when federal force turns lethal?

In this episode: 
Jon Collins (@JonSCollins), Senior Reporter, Minnesota Public Radio

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Sarí el-Khalili and Chloe K. Li, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Tamara Khandaker and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Kylene Kiang.

The Take production team is Marcos Bartolomé, Sonia Bhagat, Sarí el-Khalili, Spencer Cline, Tamara Khandaker, Kylene Kiang, Phillip Lanos, Chloe K. Li, Melanie Marich, and Noor Wazwaz. Our host is Malika Bilal. 

Our engagement producers are Adam Abou-Gad and Vienna Maglio. Andrew Greiner is lead of audience engagement.

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

A deadly ICE operation in Minneapolis has sparked protests and political conflict. US officials say a federal immigration agent acted in self-defense, while local leaders, citing video evidence, reject that narrative and demand accountability. With investigations ongoing and trust fractured between federal and local authorities, what does this moment reveal about who controls oversight when federal force turns lethal?
In this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Jon Collins (<a href="https://x.com/JonSCollins">@JonSCollins</a>), Senior Reporter, Minnesota Public Radio</li>
</ul>
Episode credits:
This episode was produced by Sar&iacute; el-Khalili and Chloe K. Li, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Tamara Khandaker and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Kylene Kiang.
The Take production team is Marcos Bartolom&eacute;, Sonia Bhagat, Sar&iacute; el-Khalili, Spencer Cline, Tamara Khandaker, Kylene Kiang, Phillip Lanos, Chloe K. Li, Melanie Marich, and Noor Wazwaz. Our host is Malika Bilal.&nbsp;
Our engagement producers are Adam Abou-Gad and Vienna Maglio. Andrew Greiner is lead of audience engagement.
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&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>

Why is Venezuela ‘uninvestable’ for Big Oil?

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