Rephonic
Artwork for The Rest Is Classified

The Rest Is Classified

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

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes239Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
History

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Rest Is Classified

Latest Episodes

Six Americans are hiding out as Canadian houseguests in Tehran. To get them out, the CIA will invent a Hollywood film studio that does not exist.

In this episode, David and Gordon examine how the CIA worked with Hollywood to plan a daring escape fro... more

One of the most audacious rescue operations the CIA has ever run. It begins with a mob at the gates of the US Embassy in Tehran, six diplomats slipping out a side door, and a man painting a wolf in a studio above his garage in rural Maryland.

Listen... more

How worried are Baltic countries about the threat from Russia? Would the US protect its NATO allies from Putin? And what is happening on the Estonian border?

Last weekend, Gordon headed to the annual Lennart Meri security conference in Estonia to sp... more

YouTube

Was Iraq WMD one of history’s biggest intelligence failures? Why couldn’t Saddam Hussein prove he has destroyed his weapons of mass destruction? And what is the legacy of the Iraq War in the Middle East?

Listen as David and Gordon conclude their inv... more

Key Facts

Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Recent Guests

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
Tom Bradby
Presenter of the ITV News at 10, former political editor and foreign correspondent
ITV News
Episode: Why Do Russian Spies Interfere in Global Politics?
David Ignatius
Bestselling author and Washington Post columnist
The Washington Post
Episode: 148. Can Europe Salvage its Relationship with Trump?

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 4.6k ratings
  • Fascinating topics but buried under irritating biases

    The show offers undeniably compelling content for fans of historical secrets, yet the listening experience is frequently marred by the heavy-handed delivery and biased worldview particularly of the American host. While the subject matter is fascinating, it is too often buried by the biases of the American host, whose personal ideologies overshadow the facts. It is irritating when a promising deep dive into declassified records becomes a platform for personal opinion, forcing the listener to sif... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Lamassu87
    Philippines14 days ago
  • Gem in the sea of podcast dross.

    Total pleasure to listen to 2 well informed, intelligent hosts talk about their area of knowledge and real world experience. What a rarity in the podcast world.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Towpathterror
    United Kingdom17 days ago
  • The Rest is Common Knowledge

    When this podcast was launched, I had high hopes for it, with an expectation that I may hear little known histories. The reality is that the keen historical reader with an interest in military intelligence and adjacent subjects will find little of interest and even less insight. I could find a hundred fascinating histories pertinent to this podcast which have not been featured and, I suspect, never will be. Instead, we have rehashes of recent public knowledge.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    mat44950
    United Kingdom17 days ago
  • Israel nuclear weapons and doctrine, please

    Great show. Any chance you might venture into the Israeli nuclear program and Israeli doctrine for use of those weapons? Your listeners would be particularly interested in the freedom of military action weapons convey onto Israel, and how its monopoly on these weapons in the Middle East challenges, others to seek similar deterrent. Hope this topic isn’t too sensitive for your show. Thanks!

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    X-blank-X
    United States17 days ago
  • Informative and engaging

    This is an excellent podcast which I throughly recommend. All episodes are well researched and informative. The chemistry between David and Gordon is excellent and drives the show. I would highly recommend this podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Pt57
    United Kingdom18 days 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.

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.
Why the Former Head of MI6 Has No Regrets About Iraq
Q: How did 9/11 reshape the UK–US intelligence relationship?',
It intensified collaboration and urgency, with close, rapid coordination between MI6, the CIA, and other allies, although it also introduced strains and new operational complexities, such as dealing with the proliferation of threats.
Why the Former Head of MI6 Has No Regrets About Iraq
Q: What is it like to be the chief of the Secret Intelligence Service?
It is an extraordinary position blending high-level risk-taking with deep integration into government policy, giving access to decision-makers and a strong capacity to influence strategic directions.
Alastair Campbell on the Iraq War
Q: What was the perceived role of Tony Blair in shaping the Iraq war decision the US framed?
Campbell explains Blair aimed to influence and participate in the discussion, acting as a bridge and leader within the alliance, while balancing relations with the US and Europe.
Why Do Russian Spies Interfere in Global Politics?
Q: What are the political sensitivities for intelligence agencies when they receive such hot intelligence suggesting Russian interference?
The hosts discuss how agencies must weigh evidence carefully, avoid leaking sensitive sources, and consider national political consequences and the risk of undermining public trust before acting on explosive intel.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

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

Where can I find podcast stats for The Rest Is Classified?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Rest Is Classified. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Rest Is Classified and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Rest Is Classified get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for The Rest Is Classified, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for The Rest Is Classified?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for The Rest Is Classified, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does The Rest Is Classified have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Rest Is Classified has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

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 History
4. The Rest Is Politics: Leading
5. Empire: World History

How many episodes of The Rest Is Classified are there?

The Rest Is Classified launched 2 years ago and published 239 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Rest Is Classified?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Rest Is Classified?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Rest Is Classified from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for The Rest Is Classified?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of The Rest Is Classified. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on The Rest Is Classified?

Recent guests on The Rest Is Classified include:

1. David Kapler
2. Shane Harris
3. Sean Walker
4. Tumas Ilves
5. Sir Richard Dearlove
6. Michael Morrell
7. Alastair Campbell
8. Tom Bradby

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days