Cubans are cooking on charcoal and facing worsening power blackouts after the US cut the island off of Venezuelan oil exports. US President Donald Trump promised Cuba will “fail” soon and threatened tariffs on any nations doing business with the island. Can Cuba’s communist government survive the latest US push for regime change?

In this episode:
Ed Augustin (@EdAugReporter), Independent journalist

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Haleema Shah and Melanie Marich with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Chloe K. Li, Tuleen Barakat, Maya Hamadeh, and our host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Kylene Kiang. 

Our engagement producers are Adam Abou-Gad, Vienna Maglio, and Munera AlDosari. 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

Cubans are cooking on charcoal and facing worsening power blackouts after the US cut the island off of Venezuelan oil exports. US President Donald Trump promised Cuba will &ldquo;fail&rdquo; soon and threatened tariffs on any nations doing business with the island. Can Cuba&rsquo;s communist government survive the latest US push for regime change?
In this episode:
<ul>
<li>Ed Augustin (<a href="https://x.com/EdAugReporter">@EdAugReporter</a>), Independent journalist</li>
</ul>
Episode credits:
This episode was produced by Haleema Shah and Melanie Marich with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Chloe K. Li, Tuleen Barakat, Maya Hamadeh, and our host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Kylene Kiang.&nbsp;
Our engagement producers are Adam Abou-Gad, Vienna Maglio, and Munera AlDosari. 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>

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

Will the US force regime change in Cuba?

Spain's government will grant legal status to undocumented migrants currently living in the country. The decree, passed after years of grassroots campaigning, will potentially impact about 500,000 migrants and comes in stark contrast to the anti-immigration sentiment in other EU countries. Why has the Spanish government decided to embrace its migrant population now?

In this episode:
Marcos Bartolomé, Producer, Al Jazeera

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Melanie Marich, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Chloe K. Li, Tuleen Barakat, Alexandra Locke, Marcos Bartolomé, Tamara Khandaker, and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Kylene Kiang and Tamara Khandakher. 

The Take production team is Marcos Bartolomé, Sonia Bhagat, Spencer Cline, Sarí el-Khalili, Sarí el-Khalili, Tamara Khandaker, Kylene Kiang, Phillip Lanos, Chloe K. Li, Melanie Marich, Haleema Shah, and Noor Wazwaz. Our editorial interns are Tuleen Barakat and Maya Hamadah. Our guest host is Kevin Hirten. 

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

Spain's government will grant legal status to undocumented migrants currently living in the country. The decree, passed after years of grassroots campaigning, will potentially impact about 500,000 migrants and comes in stark contrast to the anti-immigration sentiment in other EU countries. Why has the Spanish government decided to embrace its migrant population now?
In this episode:
<ul>
<li>Marcos Bartolom&eacute;, Producer, Al Jazeera</li>
</ul>
Episode credits:
This episode was produced by Melanie Marich, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Chloe K. Li, Tuleen Barakat, Alexandra Locke, Marcos Bartolom&eacute;, Tamara Khandaker, and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Kylene Kiang and Tamara Khandakher.&nbsp;
The Take production team is Marcos Bartolom&eacute;, Sonia Bhagat, Spencer Cline, Sar&iacute; el-Khalili, Sar&iacute; el-Khalili, Tamara Khandaker, Kylene Kiang, Phillip Lanos, Chloe K. Li, Melanie Marich, Haleema Shah, and Noor Wazwaz. Our editorial interns are Tuleen Barakat and Maya Hamadah. Our guest host is Kevin Hirten.&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>

As EU tightens borders, Spain legalizes 500,000 migrants

This week: 123 days into a "ceasefire", Israel has killed at least 524 Palestinians in Gaza.

 Israel reopened the Rafa Crossing as Israeli strikes continued to claim lives. Israel is continuing to destroy cemeteries in Gaza. Israel has killed more than 71,769 Palestinians in Gaza since October 7th, 2023.

In this episode:
Hani Mahmoud, Al Jazeera Correspondent
Ibrahim al-Khalili, (@_ibrahimalkhalili) Al Jazeera Correspondent

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by David Enders. 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. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera's head of audio.


Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

This week: 123 days into a "ceasefire", Israel has killed at least 524 Palestinians in Gaza.
 Israel reopened the Rafa Crossing as Israeli strikes continued to claim lives. Israel is continuing to destroy cemeteries in Gaza. Israel has killed more than 71,769 Palestinians in Gaza since October 7th, 2023.
In this episode:
<ul>
<li>Hani Mahmoud, Al Jazeera Correspondent</li>
<li>Ibrahim al-Khalili, (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/_ibrahimalkhalili/">@_ibrahimalkhalili</a>) Al Jazeera Correspondent</li>
</ul>
Episode credits:
This episode was produced by David Enders. 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. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera's head of audio.
 Connect with us:
@AJEPodcasts on&nbsp;X,&nbsp;Instagram,&nbsp;Facebook, and&nbsp;YouTube

Brief: Rafah reopens to restricted traffic as Israeli strikes continue to kill

Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on September 25, 2025. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed.

TikTok’s feed is famous for knowing users better than they know themselves. Now, a US deal could put that power in the hands of Trump allies and tech giants. What might change for the 170 million Americans on the app – and what does this fight reveal about control of speech and data?

In this episode: 
Robert Rogowsky, Professor of Trade and Economic Diplomacy, Middlebury Institute for International Studies

Episode credits:

This episode was updated by Chloe K. Li and Sarí el-Khalili. The original production team was Tamara Khandaker, Sari el-Khalili, and Chloe K Li, with Manny Panaretos, Melanie Marich, Marcos Bartolome, Kisaa Zehra, Farhan Rafid, and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Kylene Kiang. 

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

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on September 25, 2025. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed.
TikTok&rsquo;s feed is famous for knowing users better than they know themselves. Now, a US deal could put that power in the hands of Trump allies and tech giants. What might change for the 170 million Americans on the app &ndash; and what does this fight reveal about control of speech and data?
In this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Robert Rogowsky, Professor of Trade and Economic Diplomacy, Middlebury Institute for International Studies</li>
</ul>
Episode credits:
This episode was updated by Chloe K. Li and Sar&iacute; el-Khalili. The original production team was Tamara Khandaker, Sari el-Khalili, and Chloe K Li, with Manny Panaretos, Melanie Marich, Marcos Bartolome, Kisaa Zehra, Farhan Rafid, and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Kylene Kiang. 
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, and 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>

Will the US force regime change in Cuba?

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