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Artwork for The Rest Is Classified

The Rest Is Classified

Goalhanger
CIA
Cold War
KGB
Espionage
MI6
Russia
Iran
United States
MI5
Oleg Gordievsky
John F. Kennedy
Soviet Union
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

PublishesDailyEpisodes283Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
History

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Artwork for The Rest Is Classified

Latest Episodes

What happened on 9/11? This is the day itself, as seen through the eyes of those who lived and died…

Listen as David and Gordon take us through the day that changed America, forever.

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THE REST IS CLASSIFIED LIVE 2026 at The Res... more

By July 2001 the plan for 9/11 was almost complete… All that was missing was a day. How do you set the date the world changes?

Listen as David and Gordon unpack the night before the 9/11 hijackers carried out their plot.

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THE RE... more

Fifteen of the nineteen hijackers on 9/11 came from Saudi Arabia, many from a handful of poor remote villages. Who were the men known as ‘the muscle’, and what made them?

Listen as David and Gordon explore the alleged Saudi connection to the 9/11 pl... more

What kind of men do you recruit to fly planes into skyscrapers? And as the 9/11 plot developed, why didn’t the CIA spot what was coming?

Listen as David and Gordon chart the mission to recruit the attackers for the 9/11 attacks.

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Recent Guests

Michael Morell
Former acting director and deputy director of the CIA; co-founder of Aardwolf Global Solutions
CIA; Aardwolf Global Solutions
Episode: The Man Who Briefed the President on 9/11
Richard Kerbaj
Author of The Secret History of the Five Eyes
Author/Journalist
Episode: 185. The Secret Spy Network: How Snowden Nearly Destroyed Everything (Ep 3)
Bojan Pancevski
Chief European political correspondent, Wall Street Journal; author of The Nord Stream Conspiracy
Wall Street Journal
Episode: 178. The Plot to Destroy Russia’s Gas Empire (Ep 2)
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 on Audible, veteran journalist
Audible (Foul Play)
Episode: 164. Did the CIA Poison England's World Cup Goalkeeper? (Ep 1)
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?

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 5k ratings
  • Disappointing limited perspective

    So disappointed in this standard western whitewashing. It’s a fan site not proper critical analysis. Not a balanced perspective- almost straight out of Netanyahu’s mouth with all the anti Islamic anti Chinese rhetoric- embarrassingly limited sources of info. They have not true insights.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    aemmartell
    Singapore16 days ago
  • The USA is mighty. Mighty full of itself.

    David McClosky can’t help himself from denigrating other countries, especially Canada. The whole “Argo” series was essentially him belittling Canada’s efforts that kept his countrymen alive.

    Then again today in the Bletchley episode, another dig against Canada. It’s a theme with this guy and I am opting out.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    020shc
    Canada17 days ago
  • Guest cabbage guy please stop talking over people

    Otherwise it’s great

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dhshddjene
    United Kingdom19 days ago
  • Unfollowed!

    Great idea for a show, unfortunately ruined by the hosts’ unbridled political bias. Episodes covering historical topics, such as the Cold War, are typically very well done. But anything from the modern era—especially anything even tangentially related to President Trump—is borderline unlistenable.

    McCloskey, in particular, seems far too willing to carry water for the Intelligence Community and rarely bothers to seriously explore competing perspectives or alternative explanations. I don’t expect... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Loader240troops
    United States19 days ago
  • Crazy World of smoke and mirrors.

    Brilliant podcast, I have always been intrigued by the world of spies, I really like the way the two hosts deliver their material, based on that I have just purchased two of David Corera’s books to take on holiday,

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mustela Fera
    United Kingdom21 days 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.

The Man Who Briefed the President on 9/11
Q: How did you end up working at the CIA in the first place?
He describes a mix of luck and mentorship, initially studying economics, being encouraged by a professor who had ties to the CIA, and then going through five interviews in one day that confirmed the CIA's mission resonated with him; the opportunity to fund advanced education was also part of the appeal.
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.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Location
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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 283 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. Michael Morell
2. Richard Kerbaj
3. Bojan Pancevski
4. Nigel Linkster
5. Gabriel Gatehouse
6. Jomana Karadsheh
7. David Kapler
8. Shane Harris

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