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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
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

PublishesDailyEpisodes259Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
History

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Artwork for The Rest Is Classified

Latest Episodes

Do Israel and America spy on each other? And how do close allies navigate stealing each other’s secrets?

Listen as David and Gordon step inside the tricky intelligence sharing relationship between the US and Israel.

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THE REST IS... more

How did a group of civilian divers carry out what’s been described as one of the greatest acts of sabotage of the 21st century? And have they finally been exposed?

Listen as David and Gordon unpack the investigation into who blew up the Nord Stream ... more

Why did an undersea pipeline that sent Russian gas to Germany explode in 2022? And could a group of Ukrainian operatives really have been behind it?

David and Gordon are joined by Bojan Pancevski, Chief European Political Correspondent of the Wall S... more

YouTube

A Chinese fighter jet and American spy plane collide over the South China Seas. And now a US aircrew are held hostage by their Chinese captors.

David and Gordon reach the dramatic crescendo of their story exploring the downing of a US spy plane over... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

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?
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

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 4.9k 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 Kingdom9 days 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 Kingdom10 days 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 Kingdom21 days 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
    Australiaa month 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 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.

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.
177. Who Blew Up the Nord Stream Pipeline? (Ep 1)
Q: What is the ownership structure of Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2, and why does ownership matter in the context of this episode?
The Nord Stream 1 JV includes Gazprom with European partners; Nord Stream 2 was initially supported by Western companies but later came under Gazprom control due to sanctions, illustrating how ownership shapes strategic leverage and vulnerability.

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 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 259 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. Bojan Pancevski
2. Nigel Linkster
3. Gabriel Gatehouse
4. Jomana Karadsheh
5. David Kapler
6. Shane Harris
7. Sean Walker
8. Tumas Ilves

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