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Artwork for The Rest Is Classified

The Rest Is Classified

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

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

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes296Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
History

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Artwork for The Rest Is Classified

Latest Episodes

Are we dangerously underestimating how close we are to war with Putin? Or are we exaggerating the threat Russia poses to Europe?

Listen as David McCloskey and Gordon Corera cut through the fear, the conspiracies and the Kremlin’s deception to reveal... more

YouTube

The greatest traitor MI6 has ever seen - a Soviet mole at the heart of the British Secret Service. Kim Philby is now heading to Washington but can he keep his cool as the net begins to close around him?

Listen as David and Gordon begin the final ins... more

Why are Silicon Valley billionaires developing defence tech? Could Elon Musk build a nuclear bomb? And why did Steve Jobs owe his early success to the CIA?

Listen as David is joined by national security journalist Sharon Weinberger to discuss her ne... more

A KGB officer who has secretly gone over to work for MI6 in revolutionary Iran. But will MI6 be able to get him out of the country when things go wrong?

Listen as David and Gordon are joined by renowned author and journalist, Ben Macintyre, to disc... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Sharon Weinberger
Author and journalist focused on technology and national security; former national security editor at Wall Street Journal and The Intercept
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists; author of Valley of Death
Episode: 195. How Silicon Valley Took Over National Security
Ben MacIntyre
Author of Redwood and prolific spy historian
Author
Episode: 193. The KGB in Iran: Defecting to MI6 with Ben Macintyre (Ep 1)
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, 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 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?

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 5.2k ratings
  • Vocal Fry

    The voice of the American host makes this great of cast almost impossible to listen to.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    BBetz1985
    United States7 days ago
  • Binary, credulous thinking

    Nuclear physicists give their take on biological sciences and super secret spy stuff.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mad overlord
    United States9 days ago
  • Excellent

    My new favourite podcast. Informative, detailed insights on intelligence surrounding major world events. 9/11 series in particular, so interesting, lots of perspectives which helps paint a picture of how the attacks happened. Sensitively handled. Thank you, please keep posting!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Foodierower
    United Kingdom11 days ago
  • 9/11 - 25 years on

    Excellent review of the conspiracy through to attack. With recommended books and analysis interviews with CIA and MI6 personnel

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    elgin253
    United Kingdom14 days ago
  • Good show

    This show is really good and very eye opening I. Some things . The only thing I have to say is quit with the vocal fry voice it makes it hard to listen to and a lot of the time it’s not there so I wish he would just give up trying to sound whatever he thinks he may needs to sound like

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Binebootoo
    United States15 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
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

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 296 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. Sharon Weinberger
2. Ben MacIntyre
3. Michael Morell
4. Richard Kerbaj
5. Bojan Pancevski
6. Nigel Linkster
7. Gabriel Gatehouse
8. Jomana Karadsheh

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