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The Rest Is Classified

Goalhanger
CIA
Cold War
Espionage
MI6
KGB
Iran
Russia
Al-Qaeda
Soviet Union
MI5
Oleg Gordievsky
John F. Kennedy
Cuba
United States
Pablo Escobar
Vladimir Putin
Bay Of Pigs
Russian Intelligence
Surveillance
Yevgeny Prigozhin

Enter the secretive world of spies, espionage, and covert operations. Hosted by former CIA analyst turned spy novelist, David McCloskey, and veteran security correspondent, Gordon Corera, this podcast unravels real-life spy stories, intelligence secrets, and the hidden power struggles shaping global events. From Cold War espionage to modern-day intelligence agencies like the CIA, MI6, and Mossad, ... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes252Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
History

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Artwork for The Rest Is Classified

Latest Episodes

Radioactive poison has been used to kill Alexander Litvinenko on the streets of London. But where will the trail lead and can the police follow it to find his killers?

Listen as David and Gordon reach the penultimate episode in their exploration of ... more

Alexander Litvinenko has been poisoned in London… Now the race is on to work out what is slowly killing him.

In this episode David and Gordon tell the story of the race to discover what the Russian security services used to murder Litvinenko.

-----... more

YouTube

Russian assassins are closing in on Alexander Litvinenko… But who will deal the fatal blow?

Listen as David and Gordon explore the dramatic moments leading up to the murder of Alexander Litvinenko in London.

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THE REST IS CLASSIF... more

Former Russian Security Service officer Alexander Litvinenko is in exile in London. But his clash with Vladimir Putin will only increase in its intensity - placing the two men on a collision course towards certain doom.

David and Gordon explore the ... more

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Recent Guests

Gabriel Gatehouse
Presenter of Foul Play, an Audible podcast
Foul Play
Episode: 165. Why England Didn't Win the 1970 World Cup (Ep 2)
Jomana Karadsheh
Award-winning CNN international correspondent
CNN
Episode: Is Iran Recruiting Spies to Conduct Anti-Semitic Attacks?
David Kapler
Former NATO intelligence official, Assistant Secretary General of NATO responsible for intelligence and security
NATO
Episode: 159. Is NATO Prepared for a Russian Attack?
Shane Harris
Staff Writer at The Atlantic, security journalist
The Atlantic
Episode: 159. Is NATO Prepared for a Russian Attack?
Sean Walker
Reporter for The Guardian, author of The Illegals
The Guardian
Episode: 159. Is NATO Prepared for a Russian Attack?
Tumas Ilves
Former Estonian Foreign Minister and President (2006-2016)
Estonia
Episode: 159. Is NATO Prepared for a Russian Attack?
Sir Richard Dearlove
Former Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6)
Secret Intelligence Service (SIS)
Episode: Why the Former Head of MI6 Has No Regrets About Iraq
Michael Morrell
Former acting director and deputy director of the CIA; co-founder of Aardwolf Global Solutions
Aardwolf Global Solutions
Episode: The CIA's Biggest Intelligence Failure with Michael Morrell
Alastair Campbell
Director of communications for Tony Blair; podcaster/author
Former Downing Street communications head
Episode: Alastair Campbell on the Iraq War

Hosts

David McCloskey
Host of The Rest Is Classified, former CIA analyst turned spy novelist
Gordon Corera
Co-host and veteran security correspondent

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 4.7k ratings
  • STOP VOCAL FRY

    Good podcast excellent content made unlistenable because of Davids insistence on VOCAL FRY - it's absolutely awful -

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Lara for Gaza
    United Kingdom19 days ago
  • Trying too hard

    Too much forced blather padding which adds nothing. The 4 Argo episodes could ( and should have) been delivered in 2.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    PinkRupee
    United Kingdom25 days ago
  • A tough listen

    The American host’s voice is particularly grating to a British ear. Also the dynamic between these two hosts is akin to George and Lenny in of Mice and Men. George reads out Wikipedia level knowledge of foreign intelligence stories while Lenny delights and scoffs and urges him to tell another one

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Berryrb
    United Kingdom25 days ago
  • Good

    Not Bad

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    🇬🇱🇫🇮🇮🇸🇩🇰🇳🇴🇸🇪
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Great podcast

    Fascinating

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jetty252
    United Kingdoma month ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Hosts' dynamic and expertise make complex topics approachable.
The show's depth and guests deliver sharp insights on intelligence history.
Some episodes suffer from pacing or audio quality; production could improve clarity.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

139. Trump vs Iran: Saddam Hussein and the Nuclear Bomb (Ep 2)
Q: Was there a real opportunity for rapprochement after 9/11, and what ended up stopping that path?
Yes, there was a moment of potential cooperation around Afghanistan, but hardliners on both sides, entrenched distrust, and strategic calculations—especially around regime stability and regional influence—undermined the chance for a lasting rapprochement.
139. Trump vs Iran: Saddam Hussein and the Nuclear Bomb (Ep 2)
Q: What do you see as the most compelling reason behind Epic Fury, among the various claims about Iran's capabilities and behavior?
The central motivation appears to be regime change—the belief in Washington and Jerusalem that removing the Islamic Republic would unlock a new regional order and reduce Iran's influence, rather than focusing solely on nuclear weapons or proxies.
Is Iran Recruiting Spies to Conduct Anti-Semitic Attacks?
Q: How are they being recruited?
Recruitment appears to occur online through social media and encrypted channels, with recruiters asking for personal details, potential targets, and in some cases posting initiation tasks, indicating a structured approach to selecting and grooming young volunteers.
Is Iran Recruiting Spies to Conduct Anti-Semitic Attacks?
Q: Could you just tell us a bit about this investigation, what you found as you dug into this?
The investigation uncovered a pattern of arson and vandalism attacks across Europe linked to an online network that appears to be coordinated by Iranian-linked actors, with recruitment channels, front groups, and possible ties to IRGC-backed entities, plus arrests and legal proceedings in multiple countries.
Why the Former Head of MI6 Has No Regrets About Iraq
Q: Do you think the Iraq War was justified in hindsight, given what we know now?
The guest argues that there is a broader context and that the decision-making was complex; while there were misjudgments and questionable public evidence, he believes the outcome in Iraq is better than where it could have ended, though this remains a debated assessment.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Rest Is Classified

What is The Rest Is Classified about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Explores real-world espionage, covert operations, and intelligence history through in-depth conversations about high-stakes events and the people who shaped them. Across recent episodes, topics range from the lead-up to the Iraq War and WMD debates to inside stories from Northern Ireland, Cold War-era interventions, and modern foreign interference. The show also delves into how intelligence, media, and policy intersect, with thoughtful moral and strategic questions about covert actions, accountability, and the long shadows of past operations. A standout is the blend of meticulous case details with accessible storytelling, often featuring guests with deep expertise who illuminate both historical and contemporary security issues. Listeners li... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Rest Is Classified?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Rest Is Classified:

1. The Rest Is Politics
2. The Rest Is Politics: US
3. The Rest Is Politics: Leading
4. The Rest Is History
5. Empire: World History

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The Rest Is Classified launched 2 years ago and published 252 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Rest Is Classified?

Recent guests on The Rest Is Classified include:

1. Gabriel Gatehouse
2. Jomana Karadsheh
3. David Kapler
4. Shane Harris
5. Sean Walker
6. Tumas Ilves
7. Sir Richard Dearlove
8. Michael Morrell

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