
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
| Publishes | Daily | Episodes | 239 | Founded | 2 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Category | History | |||

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
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
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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
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.
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.
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!
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.
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Spotify | #29 | |
Apple Podcasts | #32 | |
Spotify | #47 | |
Spotify | #3 | |
Spotify | #54 | |
Apple Podcasts | #14 |
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
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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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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.
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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
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