Inside the TikTok deal: the politics of the algorithm
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 at the Middlebury Institute for International Studies Episode credits: This episode was produced by Tamara Khandaker, Sarí el-Khalili, and Chloe K. Li, with Manny Panaretos, Melanie Marich, Marcos Bartolomé, Kisaa Zehra, Farhan Rafid, and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. 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 X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
25 Sep 23min
Why Eswatini said yes to US deportees
The US has now struck deals with five African countries to accept deportees convicted of crimes. The individuals aren’t sent to their countries of origin, but to a third country. Eswatini took five men who aren’t its citizens. With Ghana, Rwanda, South Sudan and others signing on, what do these governments gain? And what happens to due process for the people caught in between? In this episode: Cebelihle Mbuyisa (@CebelihleM), Journalist Episode credits: This episode was produced by Tracie Hunte, Sarí el Khalili, and Haleema Shah with Melanie Marich, Kisaa Zehra, and Farhan Rafid, and guest host Natasha Del Toro. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz and 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 X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
24 Sep 20min
Will Europe boycott Israel?
From Madrid to Brussels, protesters are turning sports, culture, and trade into flashpoints over Israel’s war on Gaza. Europe’s leaders are proposing sanctions and recognition. Is this momentum strong enough to shift power? Or are governments offering small steps to manage unrest while avoiding deeper change? In this episode: Alys Samson Estapé, Organizer, Stop Complicity With Israel Episode credits: This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé and Haleema Shah with Manny Panaretos, Chloe K. Li, Melanie Marich, Kisaa Zehra, Farhan Rafid, and our host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz and 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 X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
23 Sep 23min
What is the future of US dissent in the post-Charlie Kirk era?
A wave of firings has followed since the killing of controversial right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. From TV hosts and journalists to professors, critics who spoke honestly about his record have faced consequences, even as Kirk is elevated as a martyr by the right. What does this backlash reveal about who gets to speak freely in the US today? In this episode: Manisha Krishnan (@manishakrishnan), Senior Culture Editor, WIRED Episode credits: This episode was produced by Tamara Khandaker, Tracie Hunte, and Sarí el-Khalili, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Chloe K. Li, Melanie Marich, Farhan Rafid, Kisaa Zehra, and our guest host, Natasha Del Toro. It was edited by Kylene Kiang. The Take production team is Marcos Bartolomé, Sonia Bhagat, Spencer Cline, Sarí el-Khalili, Tracie Hunte, Tamara Khandaker, Kylene Kiang, Phillip Lanos, Chloe K. Li, Melanie Marich, Catherine Nouhan, Haleema Shah, Amy Walters, and Noor Wazwaz. Our editorial interns are Farhan Rafid, and Kisaa Zehra. Our host is Malika Bilal. 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
22 Sep 23min
Brief: US veto on Gaza at UN, Palestinians take refuge in dumps
This week: Displaced Palestinians are forced to live on garbage dumps. The US again vetoed a UN resolution to end the war on Gaza. An update on Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya. Today is Sunday, September 21. It is day 716 of the war in Gaza, where more than 65,208 Palestinians have been killed. In this episode: Hind Khoudary, (@Hind_Gaza) Al Jazeera Correspondent James Bays, (@baysontheroad) Al Jazeera Diplomatic Editor Charles Stratford, (@stratfordch) Al Jazeera Producer Episode credits: This episode was produced and mixed by David Enders. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik 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 Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads and YouTube
21 Sep 5min
Another Take: How Antifa hysteria took over the US
Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on September 30, 2020. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed. During the 2020 United States elections, President Donald Trump has focused much of his campaign rhetoric on mask-wearing, window-breaking Antifa as a new American enemy. But as long as fascism has existed, so too has the anti-fascist movement. So where did this misconception of Antifa as a shadowy cabal of leftists come from, and what is Antifa in reality? Episode credits: This episode was updated by Haleema Shah. The original production team was Negin Owliaei and Alexandra Locke with Abigail Ony Nwaohuocha, Dina Kesbeh, Priyanka Tilve, Amy Walters, Ney Alvarez, Stacey Samuel, Graelyn Brashear, and Malika Bilal. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik and Adam Abou-Gad 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
20 Sep 24min
The White House Peace Vigil is dismantled – why?
For 44 years, 24 hours a day, a symbol of dissent has stood across from the White House – often considered the longest act of political protest in US history. The White House Peace Vigil greets visitors from all over the world, calling for nuclear disarmament and an end to war. Then it caught the eye of US President Donald Trump. In this episode: Marissa Lang, (@Marissa_Jae), Reporter, The Washington Post Ellen Thomas, White House Peace Vigil Activist Episode credits: This episode was produced by Noor Wazwaz, Sarí el-Khalili, Haleema Shah with Chloe K. Li, Kisaa Zehra, Melanie Marich, Farhan Rafid, and our host, Natasha Del Toro. 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 X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
19 Sep 22min
How is China using AI in the classroom?
Artificial intelligence education now starts at the age of 6 in China. The Ministry of Education has rolled out new guidelines to teach AI at every grade level. For President Xi Jinping, AI is a priority. Will the toddlers of today be the tech titans of the future? In this episode: Katrina Yu (@Katmyu), Al Jazeera Correspondent Episode credits: This episode was produced by Amy Walters, Sonia Bhagat, Sarí el-Khalili, and Tamara Khandaker, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Melanie Marich, Kisaa Zehra, 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 X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
18 Sep 22min
