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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
Pablo Escobar
Bay Of Pigs
Russian Intelligence
Surveillance
Yevgeny Prigozhin
Vladimir Putin
Adolf Tolkachev

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes228Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategory
History

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Latest Episodes

Why did Saddam Hussein secretly destroy his weapons of mass destruction? When did the CIA start plotting against the Iraqi dictator? And did Hussein and Osama bin Laden ever meet?

In the second part of their series on Iraq WMD, David and Gordon char... more

** Join the Declassified Club at therestisclassified.com to listen to the full episode **

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What was the relationship between Downing Street and the intelligence services really like? Did the British get played by the Americans? A... more

How did Saddam Hussein become one of history’s most notorious dictators? How did the Iran-Iraq war begin? And what really happened to Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction?

Listen as David and Gordon begin their 6-part series on one of history’s bigges... more

What brought about Stakeknife’s downfall? How did the IRA react when they realised there was a spy at the very top of their organisation? And what was Operation Kenova, and how did it reveal the truth of the Stakeknife case?

In the final part of the... more

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Recent Guests

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?
Clarissa Ward
CNN's multi-award-winning chief international correspondent
CNN
Episode: 135. Is The CIA Arming Kurdish Militias In Iran?
Dave Fitzgerald
A former CIA officer with 37 years of experience and multiple overseas tours, including roles as chief of station in various conflict zones.
Co-founder of Vector One Global
Episode: Ex-CIA Officer On How The Cubans Failed Maduro in Venezuela
Glenn Chafetz
Former CIA officer and first chief of tradecraft and operational technology
2430 Group
Episode: 112. How To Protect Your Secrets: Inside China’s Technical Surveillance Playbook (Ep 1)
Jobi Warwick
Author of the book "The Triple Agent"
Episode: 106. Hunting Al-Qaeda: Anatomy Of A Terrorist (Ep 1)
Mark Galeotti
Leading expert on Russian organized crime and the Russian security services
Independent Analyst
Episode: The Rise Of Putin: Joining The KGB
Anthony Scaramucci
Former White House Communications Director, co-host of The Rest Is Politics US
The Rest Is Politics US
Episode: Did The Mafia Kill JFK?
Kent Walker
President of Global Affairs at Alphabet
Alphabet
Episode: EXCLUSIVE: Google's President of Global Affairs on AI, Cyber Attacks and Silicon Valley

Hosts

David McCloskey
Former CIA analyst turned spy novelist and host, with insights into the complexities of intelligence work and the espionage world.
Gordon Corera
Veteran security correspondent and host, with experience in analyzing global security and intelligence issues.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 4.4k ratings
  • Russia con’t

    Missing (?) is how we got Putin put-in and the 1990s in ex Soviet Bloc with larger theme of regime changes US and others may want but backfire for far too many people

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Natasha no Boris
    United States2 months ago
  • Excellent Podcast

    Really enjoy listening to you both. So much so, that I have had to subscribe! Thank you for some interesting subjects

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Wend100
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Disappointing

    I love The Rest Is History, but unfortunately the hosts speak too quickly, the audio quality is poor and it just seems to be a long ramble and due to the awful croaking from the American. Not an enjoyable listen.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Sussexer
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Propaganda

    More propaganda distracting attention away from Israel, and blaming Russia for everything— typical western strategy.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    zackyoung
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Meh

    Decent information but a little too anti-Trump for my liking.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Bulletpruf
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

There are mixed reviews regarding the political tone and some find the content bordering on propaganda, while others enjoy the historical depth and analysis presented in episodes.
Emergency episodes receive significant praise for their timely insights on current geopolitical issues, highlighting the hosts' expertise and analytical skills.
Listeners appreciate the insightful discussions about espionage and intelligence, often praising the hosts' engaging storytelling and expert perspectives.

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 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.
148. Can Europe Salvage its Relationship with Trump?
Q: What's next for Trump after the Iran discussions—Cuba, Ukraine, or elsewhere?
Ignatius suggests a possible push on Cuba and perhaps another effort to pressure Ukraine, while warning that pressuring Europe to concede in such negotiations could have dangerous consequences.
148. Can Europe Salvage its Relationship with Trump?
Q: Do you see Congress as a hurdle or enabler for Trump's foreign ventures?
He argues that Congress has been reluctant to formally declare war, which constrains sustained military action and emphasizes the importance of constitutional processes in maintaining public support for long-term engagements.
148. Can Europe Salvage its Relationship with Trump?
Q: David, what do you think the shape of that deal would be? What would the Iranians have to give up and what would they get?
Ignatius explains that a potential deal could involve diluting Iran's highly enriched uranium with IAEA supervision, possibly opening up enrichment to a consortium of international partners, and ensuring the Strait of Hormuz remains open as part of a broader, negotiated framework.
135. Is The CIA Arming Kurdish Militias In Iran?
Q: What are the strategic incentives behind arming Kurdish groups, and who benefits?
The discussion suggests a mix of deterrence, potential strategic leverage against Iran, and a broader desire by various actors (including Israel and the US) to widen regional fragmentation, though the long-term benefits remain uncertain and potentially destabilizing.

Audience Metrics

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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?

The podcast immerses listeners in the shadowy realm of espionage, bringing forward the untold stories and intricacies of intelligence operations. With a focus on historical and contemporary narratives, it explores notable figures like spies and double agents, examining their moral dilemmas, complex motivations, and the ramifications of their actions on global politics. Topics such as Cold War espionage, the CIA's covert operations, and the intricacies of various intelligence agencies like MI6 and Mossad are regularly discussed, providing a rich context to current world events. The hosts combine storytelling with expert analysis, creating an engaging dynamic that appeals to both espionage enthusiasts and casual listeners alike.

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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 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 a year ago and published 228 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. Tom Bradby
2. David Ignatius
3. Clarissa Ward
4. Dave Fitzgerald
5. Glenn Chafetz
6. Jobi Warwick
7. Mark Galeotti
8. Anthony Scaramucci

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.

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