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The Rest Is Classified

Goalhanger
CIA
Bashar Al-Assad
Iran
Syria
Al-Qaeda
Taliban
1953 Iranian Coup
MI6
Espionage
Qala-I-Jangi
Lebanon
The Shah Of Iran
Mohammad Mosaddegh
Afghanistan
Rafiq Hariri
Central Bank Of Bangladesh
North Korea
Cybercrime
Cold War
Oil Nationalization

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes202Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategory
History

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Artwork for The Rest Is Classified

Latest Episodes

How did the CIA mastermind one of the most audacious coups in world history? What does it take to remove a world leader? And what does the future hold for Latin America with Donald Trump now at the helm of US foreign policy?

Listen as David and Gord... more

Is Cuba next on Trump's hit list? Why are the US so concerned by what's happening in their "backyard"? And what can we learn from the history of regime change in Latin America to help us understand the "Donroe Doctrine"?

Listen as David and Gordon d... more

After 9/11 it looked as though a new path of diplomacy could be forged between Iran and the US, and then George Bush referred to the nation as part of the Axis of Evil. The years that followed were characterised by Iran-backed terror attacks, regiona... more

Why did the US and Israel launch strikes on Iran on 28 February? What is the secret history behind the conflict? And how did Ayatollah Khamenei seize power in 1979?

Listen as David and Gordon are joined by historian and author Arash Azizi to discuss... more

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Recent Guests

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 three-time chief of station
Former CIA
Episode: 113. How To Protect Your Secrets: Is The Toaster Spying On You? (Ep 2)
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 and political commentator
The Rest Is Politics
Episode: Did The CIA 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
Raymond Asquith
MI6 head of station in Moscow during the Gordievsky exfiltration
MI6
Episode: EXCLUSIVE: The Spy Who Smuggled Gordievsky Out of Russia
Joachim Rønneberg
A Norwegian resistance hero who led the sabotage of a heavy water plant during World War II.
Norwegian Independent Company
Episode: 72. Destroying the Nazi Nuclear Program: Bombing Norway (Ep 1)

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

4.5 out of 5 stars from 4.2k 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 States15 days 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 Kingdom16 days 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 Kingdom16 days ago
  • Propaganda

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

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    zackyoung
    United Kingdom22 days ago
  • Meh

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

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Bulletpruf
    United States22 days 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.

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.
135. Is The CIA Arming Kurdish Militias In Iran?
Q: What is the current on-the-ground reality in Erbil and northern Iraq as this unfolds?
Clarissa Ward describes drone and missile activity focusing on US locations, with ongoing concerns about Iranian Kurdish groups potentially becoming involved, while Kurdish leaders push back against being used as pawns in regional power plays.
128. Al Qaeda’s Deadliest Plot: CIA vs Pakistan (Ep 3)
Q: Why not just round them up?
It was key to gather more evidence and ensure proper identification of all involved before making arrests.
117. Epstein Files Declassified: Mossad, Israel and Ghislaine Maxwell (Ep 2)
Q: Would you agree with that?
Gordon agrees that Maxwell was more of a fluid contact broker rather than a direct agent.
112. How To Protect Your Secrets: Inside China’s Technical Surveillance Playbook (Ep 1)
Q: What does ubiquitous technical surveillance mean?
Ubiquitous technical surveillance refers to the integration of modern technology into everyday life to a degree that is often unrecognized, which poses challenges for clandestine operations.

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 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 a year ago and published 202 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. Clarissa Ward
2. Dave Fitzgerald
3. Glenn Chafetz
4. Jobi Warwick
5. Mark Galeotti
6. Anthony Scaramucci
7. Kent Walker
8. Raymond Asquith

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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