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Caliphate

by The New York Times

In the war on terror, who is it that we’re really fighting? “Caliphate” follows Rukmini Callimachi, who covers terrorism for The New York Times, on her quest to understand ISIS. For more information about the series, visit nytimes.com/caliphate. This series includes disturbing language and scenes of graphic violence. Producer: Andy Mills; Reporters: Rukmini Callimachi and Andy Mills; Managing Producer: Larissa Anderson; Editors: Wendy Dorr and Larissa Anderson; Associate Producer: Asthaa Chaturvedi; Technical Director: Brad Fisher; Executive Producer, NYT Audio: Lisa Tobin; Editorial Director, NYT Audio: Samantha Henig; Assistant Managing Editor, NYT: Sam Dolnick; Music: William Brittelle, Andy Mills, Nate Henricks, Cliff Martinez, Brad Fisher, Taku Sugimoto and David Wingo

From the show's RSS feed, refreshed Apr 14, 2026. Source feed.

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Episodes

  1. An Examination of 'Caliphate'

    Dean Baquet, the executive editor of The Times, discusses where “Caliphate” failed to meet Times standards. And Mark Mazzetti, an investigative correspondent for The Times, details new reporting that casts significant doubt on the claims of a central figure in the series. Editors' Note: The Times...

  2. Chapter Ten: One Year Later

    Editors' Note [Dec. 18, 2020]: The Times has published an Editors’ Note concluding that episodes featuring a central character in “Caliphate” did not meet our standards for accuracy. Read the full statement. What does the future hold for the ISIS returnee who confessed to murder? And what does he...

  3. Chapter Nine: Prisoners, Part One

    Editors' Note [Dec. 18, 2020]: The Times has published an Editors’ Note concluding that episodes featuring a central character in “Caliphate” did not meet our standards for accuracy. Read the full statement. Slavery was enmeshed in the theology of ISIS. Rukmini speaks to an ISIS detainee who...

  4. Chapter Nine: Prisoners, Part Two

    Editors' Note [Dec. 18, 2020]: The Times has published an Editors’ Note concluding that episodes featuring a central character in “Caliphate” did not meet our standards for accuracy. Read the full statement. After three years in ISIS captivity, a young Yazidi girl returns to her family. Rukmini…

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  5. Chapter Eight: The Briefcase

    Editors' Note [Dec. 18, 2020]: The Times has published an Editors’ Note concluding that episodes featuring a central character in “Caliphate” did not meet our standards for accuracy. Read the full statement. We found a trove of secret documents after Mosul fell. It led us to the mother of an ISIS...

  6. Chapter Seven: Mosul

    Editors' Note [Dec. 18. 2020]: The Times has published an Editors’ Note concluding that episodes featuring a central character in “Caliphate” did not meet our standards for accuracy. Read the full statement. What did ISIS leave behind as their hold on Mosul crumbled?

  7. Chapter Six: Paper Trail

    Editors' Note [Dec. 18. 2020]: The Times has published an Editors’ Note concluding that episodes featuring a central character in “Caliphate” did not meet our standards for accuracy. Read the full statement. “Something was off.” Rukmini’s doubt fuels a quest to uncover the truth.

  8. Chapter Five: The Heart

    Editors' Note [Dec. 18, 2020]: The Times has published an Editors’ Note concluding that episodes featuring a central character in “Caliphate” did not meet our standards for accuracy. Read the full statement. The recruit carried out the killing. Then he questioned everything.

  9. Chapter Four: Us vs. Them

    Editors' Note [Dec. 18, 2020]: The Times has published an Editors’ Note concluding that episodes featuring a central character in “Caliphate” did not meet our standards for accuracy. Read the full statement. A new recruit proves his worth and gets invited to a secret meeting.

  10. Chapter Three: The Arrival

    Editors' Note [Dec. 18, 2020]: The Times has published an Editors’ Note concluding that episodes featuring a central character in “Caliphate” did not meet our standards for accuracy. Read the full statement. ISIS turns fantasy into reality for a new recruit.

  11. Chapter Two: Recruitment

    Editors' Note [Dec. 18, 2020]: The Times has published an Editors’ Note concluding that episodes featuring a central character in “Caliphate” did not meet our standards for accuracy. Read the full statement. Who is it that ISIS appeals to, and how? Rukmini speaks with a former ISIS member about…

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  12. Chapter One: The Reporter

    Editors' Note [Dec. 18, 2020]: The Times has published an Editors’ Note concluding that episodes featuring a central character in “Caliphate” did not meet our standards for accuracy. Read the full statement. Rukmini describes the reality of being on the terrorism beat and why she brings trash…

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  13. Prologue: The Mission

    Editors' Note [Dec. 18, 2020]: The Times has published an Editors’ Note concluding that episodes featuring a central character in “Caliphate” did not meet our standards for accuracy. Read the full statement. The war on terror has cost the U.S. billions and has been fought for nearly 20 years....

Topics in this show

Click any topic to search every transcript on PodParley for moments someone mentioned it.

About this show

In the war on terror, who is it that we’re really fighting? “Caliphate” follows Rukmini Callimachi, who covers terrorism for The New York Times, on her quest to understand ISIS. For more information about the series, visit nytimes.com/caliphate. This series includes disturbing language and scenes of graphic violence. Producer: Andy Mills; Reporters: Rukmini Callimachi and Andy Mills; Managing Producer: Larissa Anderson; Editors: Wendy Dorr and Larissa Anderson; Associate Producer: Asthaa Chaturvedi; Technical Director: Brad Fisher; Executive Producer, NYT Audio: Lisa Tobin; Editorial Director, NYT Audio: Samantha Henig; Assistant Managing Editor, NYT: Sam Dolnick; Music: William Brittelle, Andy Mills, Nate Henricks, Cliff Martinez, Brad Fisher, Taku Sugimoto and David Wingo

Hosted by

The New York Times

Frequently asked questions

How many episodes does Caliphate have?

Caliphate has 13 episodes on PodParley. The most recent episode was published on December 18, 2020.

What is Caliphate about?

In the war on terror, who is it that we’re really fighting? “Caliphate” follows Rukmini Callimachi, who covers terrorism for The New York Times, on her quest to understand ISIS. For more information about the series, visit nytimes.com/caliphate. This series includes disturbing language and scenes...

How often does Caliphate release new episodes?

Caliphate publishes about every 81 days, based on its 13 episodes since April 2018.

Who hosts Caliphate?

Caliphate is created and hosted by The New York Times.
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