Another Take: How the Assads took Syria
Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on July 8, 2020. None of the dates, titles, or other references have been changed. Syria’s inner circle of power was dominated by the al-Assad family for more than 50 years, but over a decade of war exposed its cracks. Journalist Sam Dagher was based in Damascus in the early years of the war, and after the government kicked him out, he used his access to write the inside story of the family that’s become synonymous with Syria. In this episode, we pull the curtain back on the inner circle to hear the story of President Bashar al-Assad who wasn’t meant for power, but was lifted up by the family name that consumed him. In this episode: Sam Dagher (@samdagher), Journalist and Author of ‘Assad or We Burn the Country’ Episode credits: This episode was updated by Sarí el-Khalili. The original production team was Alexandra Locke, Dina Kisbeh, Priyanka Tilve, Ney Alvarez, Amy Walters, Natalia Aldana, Stacey Samuel, Graelyn Brashear, and our host, Malika Bilal. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editor is Hisham Abu Salah. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer, and Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube
14 Dec 202423min
How did American Muslims help shape US history?
Centuries after the first Muslims stepped foot in America, the United States is home to nearly 4 million Muslim Americans. In ‘American Muslims: A History Revealed,’ a six-part PBS docuseries that premiered in October, journalists and historians uncover the stories of American Muslims spanning over 200 years from past to present. In this episode: Maytha Alhassen (@MaythaAlhassen), Executive Producer, ‘American Muslims: A History Revealed’ For More: Watch: ‘American Muslims: A History Revealed’ Episode credits: This episode was produced by Sarí el-Khalili, Chloe K. Li, Cole van Miltenburg, and Sonia Bhagat, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Duha Mosaad, Hagir Saleh, and our host, Malika Bilal. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editor is Hisham Abu Salah. 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, Threads and YouTube
13 Dec 202423min
After Trump’s win, Haitian migrants face an uncertain future
In recent months, tens of thousands of Haitians have fled escalating gang violence and a worsening humanitarian crisis in their home country. Most of those who make the gruelling journey to the US-Mexico border are denied asylum in the US. Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to deport Haitian recipients of Temporary Protected Status. What does the future hold for Haitians under the Trump administration? In this episode: Imaeyen Ibanga (@iiwrites), Presenter, AJ+ Episode credits: This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé, Sonia Bhagat and Cole van Miltenburg with Manny Panaretos, Duha Mosaad, Hagir Saleh and our host, Kevin Hirten, in for Malika Bilal. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editor is Hisham Abu Salah. 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, Threads and YouTube
12 Dec 202421min
Sednaya prison falls, revealing the Assads’ legacy of torture
Thousands of prisoners held in Syria’s notorious prisons remain unaccounted for, days after President Bashar al-Assad fled for Russia. Families face an agonising search for their loved ones during a bittersweet moment of freedom. We dive into the emotional toll and the ongoing fight for answers. In this episode: Wafa Ali Mustafa (@WafaMustafa9), Syrian activist Justin Salhani (@JustinSalhani), Journalist Ammar Alselmo, White Helmets volunteer Episode credits: This episode was produced by Amy Walters, Sonia Bhagat, and Sarí el-Khalili with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Duha Mosaad, Hagir Saleh and Cole Van Miltenburg, and our host, Malika Bilal. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editor is Hisham Abu Salah. 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, Threads and YouTube
11 Dec 202419min
Palestinian poet Mosab Abu Toha: breaking free with words
When everything is lost, what remains? For Mosab Abu Toha, it’s poetry. He shares how his verses capture the grief and resilience of Gaza in the midst of destruction. In this episode: Mosab Abu Toha (@MosabAbuToha), Palestinian Poet Episode credits: This episode was produced by Sarí el-Khalili, Sonia Bhagat, and Amy Walters, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Duha Mosaad, Cole van Miltenburg, and our host, Malika Bilal. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editor is Hisham Abu Salah. 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, Threads and YouTube
10 Dec 202423min
After al-Assad falls, what’s ahead for Syria?
In an 11-day offensive, Syrian opposition fighters have ended more than 50 years of Assad family rule. President Bashar al-Assad has fled to Moscow. As the Syrian people celebrate the fall of the regime, where will their country go from here? In this episode: Arwa Damon (@IamArwaDamon), President and Founder of INARA Episode credits: This episode was produced by Khaled Soltan, Sarí el-Khalili, and Alexandra Locke, with Hagir Saleh, Manny Panartous, and our host, Kevin Hirten, in for Malika Bilal. It was edited by Sarí el-Khalili. The Take production team is Marcos Bartolomé, Sonia Bhagat, Sarí el-Khalili, Tamara Khandaker, Phillip Lanos, Chloe K. Li, Ashish Malhotra, Khaled Soltan, and Amy Walters. Our editorial interns are Duha Mosaad, Hagir Saleh, and Cole van Miltenburg. Our host is Malika Bilal. Our engagement producers are Adam Abou-Gad and Vienna Maglio. Aya Elmileik is lead of audience engagement. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editor is Hisham Abu Salah. Alexandra Locke is the Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. We’ll be back tomorrow. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube
9 Dec 202424min
Brief: Syrian opposition says Assad has fled as they enter Damascus
As Israel’s war on Gaza and Lebanon continues, we're coming to you on Sundays with a weekly roundup. This week: Syrian opposition fighters have declared victory over the government of Bashar Assad. Israel continues to attack medical infrastructure in Gaza. It is day 429 of the war in Gaza, where at least 44,580 Palestinians have been killed. In this episode: Zeina Khodr, (@ZeinakhodrAljaz) Al Jazeera Correspondent 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 Adam Abou-Gad is our engagement producer. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera's head of audio. At Al Jazeera Podcasts, we want to hear from you, our listeners. So, please head to https://www.aljazeera.com/survey and tell us your thoughts about this show and other Al Jazeera podcasts. It only takes a few minutes!
8 Dec 20247min
Another Take: In ‘inaccessible cities,’ the experience of those with disabilities
Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on July 22, 2022. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed. One in six people around the world live with some form of disability and many of them face daily challenges that include just getting around. Al Jazeera’s innovation studio, AJ Contrast, tells the story of three women with different disabilities, in Mumbai, Lagos, and New York City In this episode, we speak with AJ Contrast’s Senior Producer Viktorija Mickute to find out more about these women and what can be done to make the world more accessible for all members of society. In this episode: Viktorija Moquette (@VikVicariously), Senior Producer, AJ Contrast Nidhi Goyal (@saysnidhigoyal), Activist and Comedian Rebecca Lamorte (@RebeccaLamorte), Former New York City Council Candidate Olajumuke Olajide, Athlete Episode credits: This episode was updated by Sarí el-Khalili. The original production team was Ruby Zaman, Amy Walters, Alexandra Locke, Ney Alvarez, Negin Owliaei, Chloe K Li and our host, Malika Bilal. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editor is Hisham Abu Salah. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer, and Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube
7 Dec 202421min
