logo
episode-header-image
Aug 2024
20m 33s

The fallacies of Israel’s 'Octopus Doctr...

Al Jazeera
About this episode

The monikers attracted by Iran’s network of allies in the Middle East are snapshots of a geopolitical alliance that shapes the region. As Israel seeks to shore up its own side of the chessboard and tensions rise, we take a deep dive. Who are the groups? And why did Iran back them in the first place?

In this episode:

  • Imran Khan (@ajimran), Al Jazeera English Senior Correspondent

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé and Veronique Eshaya with Shraddha Joshi, Tamara Khandaker, Manahil Naveed, Hagir Saleh and me, Natasha Del Toro, in for Malika Bilal.

The Take production team is Amy Walters, Ashish Malhotra, Catherine Nouhan, Chloe K. Li, Duha Mosaad, Hagir Saleh, Khaled Soltan, Manahil Naveed, Marcos Bartolomé, Noor Wazwaz, Sarí el-Khalili, Shraddha Joshi, Sonia Bhagat, Tamara Khandaker, and Veronique Eshaya.

I’m your host, Natasha del Toro. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Alexandra Locke is the Take’s Executive Producer, and Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. 

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on TwitterInstagram, FacebookThreads and YouTube

Up next
Today
Why is Trump going after the Smithsonian museums?
The Smithsonian museums are now the focus of a review ordered by US President Donald Trump targeting exhibits on slavery, immigration and LGBTQ history. The White House told The Take taxpayer money should not fund displays that divide Americans and the Smithsonian Institution sho ... Show More
23m 9s
Yesterday
Famine has been declared in Gaza. Will anything change?
Famine has been declared in Gaza City and surrounding areas, with more than half a million Palestinians facing “catastrophic conditions,” according to a UN-backed monitor. As Israel advances its plan to seize Gaza City, what scars will famine leave on Palestinians for generations ... Show More
20m 34s
Aug 25
How did Lula da Silva cut Amazon deforestation in half?
When Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva took office more than a year ago, he pledged to end deforestation in the Amazon by 2030. He’s on the right track: Last year, the forest shrank 50% less than in 2022. But the clock is ticking. Will Lula manage to keep his word? Th ... Show More
23m 12s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 2024
What Will Israel Do Next?
The next stage of Israel's war against Hezbollah will start soon, according to the Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. Israel is currently conducting reconnaissance and other ground raids inside Lebanon. According to the US, Washington says any ground invasion could be more li ... Show More
1 h
Feb 2025
What does Lebanon's new government mean for Hezbollah?
Lebanon's president has named a new administration sidelining Hezbollah for the first time in decades. But where does this leave the group and its allies who have long played a major political role? And will this move usher in what the Prime Minister calls a government of reform ... Show More
24m 38s
Jul 2024
Iran Vows Revenge Against Israel
Hamas’ political leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in an early morning strike Wednesday in the Iranian capital of Tehran. Iran and Hamas claim Haniyeh was assassinated in an Israeli airstrike. Iran’s Supreme Leader is vowing revenge. Correspondent Nick Paton Walsh joins the show t ... Show More
1h 2m
Jun 23
America First (unless Iran...)
Vox's Josh Keating and author Vali Nasr explain what bombing Iran won’t accomplish. This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen and Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact checked by Laura Bullard and Denise Guerra, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and Patrick Boyd ... Show More
27m 44s
Sep 2024
Lebanon on 'High Alert' Following Attack
In Lebanon, the health ministry is calling on citizens to be on "high alert" after devices belonging to members of Hezbollah suddenly exploded. Several people have been killed and thousands injured, including Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon, according to Iranian state media. Hezboll ... Show More
1h 1m
Nov 2024
The Israel-Hezbollah Ceasefire
Today, we look at the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah and what it means for the Middle East. A deal to end thirteen months of fighting in Lebanon came into affect on Wednesday morning. It follows Israel’s land invasion of Lebanon in October in response to rocket ... Show More
27m 41s
Oct 2024
Israel Invades Lebanon
Today, we look at Israel’s invasion of Lebanon which the Israeli military are calling a "limited, localised and targeted" ground operation against Hezbollah.An Israeli source has told the BBC that their ground forces have gone only "very close walking distance" into Lebanon. Mean ... Show More
26m 23s
Oct 2024
Is Israel trying to isolate Shia Hezbollah supporters?
Israeli strikes on Lebanon have killed more than 2,400 people since October 7, most of them in the past month. They have mostly targeted Hezbollah's leadership and fighters, but in recent days, some government buildings have come under attack. Christian towns further north, where ... Show More
26m 6s
Jun 25
Who is Iran’s Supreme Leader?
After twelve days of intense fighting, Israel and Iran have agreed to a ceasefire that, for now, seems to be holding.Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, is the man in charge in Tehran. His current whereabouts are a mystery. As we wait to see what’s next in this conflict, we look ... Show More
9m 8s