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The Rest Is Classified

Goalhanger
CIA
Cold War
Espionage
KGB
MI6
Russia
Iran
Soviet Union
MI5
United States
Oleg Gordievsky
John F. Kennedy
Cuba
Al-Qaeda
Vladimir Putin
Pablo Escobar
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

PublishesDailyEpisodes271Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
History

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Artwork for The Rest Is Classified

Latest Episodes

The Five Eyes are watching the world. But what happens when one eye is bigger than the other? And what happens when new threats emerge?

Listen as David and Gordon are joined again by author, journalist and filmmaker Richard Kerbaj, to explore the hi... more

An intelligence alliance established to spy on the Soviets during the Cold War. But will it be able to hold together under crisis?

David and Gordon are once again joined by journalist, author and filmmaker Richard Kerbaj, to explore the history of t... more

It is most powerful intelligence alliance the world has ever seen But what is the Five Eyes and how did it begin?

Listen as David and Gordon are joined by journalist, author and filmmaker Richard Kerbaj, to explore one of the world's most significan... more

Alan Turing is working frantically to break the German codes at Bletchley Park. But can the Brits and Americans really trust each other?

Listen as David and Gordon conclude their two-part exploration of the incredible work undertaken at the predeces... more

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Recent Guests

Richard Kerbaj
Author and Five Eyes expert, author of The Secret History of the Five Eyes and The Defector
Author, Five Eyes historian
Episode: 183. The Secret Spy Network: How The US and UK Spy Together (Ep 1)
Bojan Pancevski
Chief European political correspondent, The Wall Street Journal; author of The Wonderful Nord Stream Conspiracy
The Wall Street Journal
Episode: 177. Who Blew Up the Nord Stream Pipeline? (Ep 1)
Nigel Linkster
Former Deputy Chief of MI6, China specialist
MI6
Episode: 176. The True Story of the Spies Held Hostage by China (Ep 2)
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?

Hosts

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

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 4.9k ratings
  • Fantastic podcast- subscription doesn’t work in Tesla though

    Love the podcast but despite linking my account and logging out and back in multiple times, I still can’t listen to the subscriber episodes via my Tesla!

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    HTAFC84
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Great!

    One of those pods where I look forward to new episodes releasing each week. Great true stories, well told and discussed. I would score 5/5 if the episodes were always long (45mins +). Only marking down because sometimes it feels like they drag a story out over too many episodes, when in reality it could be told in 1 or 2. But … great show

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    BenjiBow
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Superb insight

    I like these guys. Superb insight into the goings on of spy networks. Really enjoy it (though could David watch the vocal fry please… just a bug bear)

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    scopey123
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Highly recommend

    I subscribe to many pods but this is my new favourite with all others losing my attention. I’m now adjusted to David’s adnoidal accent and have even bought one of his books. Even watched the movie Argo on their advice.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    waitingatthedentist
    Australia2 months ago
  • Too jokey

    Fascinating but I’m put off by the jokey banter when covering serious subjects - including deaths of real people - it’s a shame the hosts feel they have to entertain when the subject matter is enough in itself

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    50Samy
    United Kingdom2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise the in-depth investigations and context.
More than a few listeners commend the deep dives but note vocal delivery can be divisive.
Some critique pacing and banter bias in episodes.
A number of reviews highlight high-quality sourcing and expert guests.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

183. The Secret Spy Network: How The US and UK Spy Together (Ep 1)
Q: Why is it called Five Eyes and not ten eyes?
Because each participating country contributes two eyes, i.e., two partners, making five core partners rather than ten.
178. The Plot to Destroy Russia’s Gas Empire (Ep 2)
Q: What does this imply for future sabotage and shadow warfare?
It demonstrates that small, determined, technically skilled groups can cause outsized disruption at low cost, prompting a re-evaluation of how infrastructure can be protected and how governments think about deniable operations.
178. The Plot to Destroy Russia’s Gas Empire (Ep 2)
Q: How did cover and travel logistics work for the operatives?
They used real Ukrainian passports with pseudonyms, fake EU IDs, and a vessel-based cover story; the operation relied on safe houses in Poland and a small yacht to reach the site, with a consumer-credible diving-tour legend.
178. The Plot to Destroy Russia’s Gas Empire (Ep 2)
Q: So maybe could you tell us a little bit about what role the CIA played?
The guest explains that the CIA had zero operational involvement; the masterminds were Ukrainian intelligence leadership who sought advice from a CIA officer privately, but this was not an official action by the agency itself.
177. Who Blew Up the Nord Stream Pipeline? (Ep 1)
Q: How did the Ukrainian group, described as the 'start up,' come to be involved and what was their organizational model like?
The group is depicted as a decentralized, highly capable startup-like network embedded within Ukrainian security services and military intelligence, with private funding and a culture of rapid, autonomous action, defying traditional bureaucratic controls.

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?

This program delivers in-depth explorations of espionage, intelligence history, and covert operations through rigorous analysis and vivid storytelling. Episodes frequently center on geopolitical intrigue, high-profile cases, and the mechanics of clandestine work, with a mix of archival context, on-the-record reporting, and thoughtful commentary. The duo's dynamic blends serious investigative insight with accessible banter, making complex topics approachable for listeners who want to understand how intelligence shaping global events actually unfolds. A standout is its willingness to connect granular, craft-level details to broader political consequences, often drawing from contemporary, real-world events and high-stakes diplomacy. Potential ... 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

How many episodes of The Rest Is Classified are there?

The Rest Is Classified launched 2 years ago and published 271 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. Richard Kerbaj
2. Bojan Pancevski
3. Nigel Linkster
4. Gabriel Gatehouse
5. Jomana Karadsheh
6. David Kapler
7. Shane Harris
8. Sean Walker

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