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Artwork for The Rest Is Classified

The Rest Is Classified

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

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes251Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
History

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Artwork for The Rest Is Classified

Latest Episodes

Where does the CIA think the Covid-19 virus came from? And could it have been intentionally leaked as an act of biological warfare?

Listen as David and Gordon step inside the investigation as to where Covid came from.

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THE REST ... more

Could England have won the 1970 World Cup if their star goalkeeper, Gordon Banks, hadn't contracted food poisoning the day before the quarter-final? And could the CIA have had anything to do with England's 60 years of hurt?

David and Gordon are join... more

Why did Gordon Banks pull out of the 1970 World Cup quarter-final against West Germany? And was the CIA to blame?

Listen as David and Gordon are joined by journalist Gabriel Gatehouse who has spent the past three years investigating whether the CIA ... more

Six American diplomats are about to walk through the Tehran airport with alias Canadian passports. But will they make it through? And how does the real Argo end?

As the story reaches its dramatic conclusion, David and Gordon look at what can be lear... more

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Recent Guests

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
Michael Morrell
Former acting director and deputy director of the CIA; co-founder of Aardwolf Global Solutions
Aardwolf Global Solutions
Episode: The CIA's Biggest Intelligence Failure with Michael Morrell
Alastair Campbell
Director of communications for Tony Blair; podcaster/author
Former Downing Street communications head
Episode: Alastair Campbell on the Iraq War

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 4.7k ratings
  • Fascinating topics but buried under irritating biases

    The show offers undeniably compelling content for fans of historical secrets, yet the listening experience is frequently marred by the heavy-handed delivery and biased worldview particularly of the American host. While the subject matter is fascinating, it is too often buried by the biases of the American host, whose personal ideologies overshadow the facts. It is irritating when a promising deep dive into declassified records becomes a platform for personal opinion, forcing the listener to sif... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Lamassu87
    Philippinesa month ago
  • Gem in the sea of podcast dross.

    Total pleasure to listen to 2 well informed, intelligent hosts talk about their area of knowledge and real world experience. What a rarity in the podcast world.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Towpathterror
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • The Rest is Common Knowledge

    When this podcast was launched, I had high hopes for it, with an expectation that I may hear little known histories. The reality is that the keen historical reader with an interest in military intelligence and adjacent subjects will find little of interest and even less insight. I could find a hundred fascinating histories pertinent to this podcast which have not been featured and, I suspect, never will be. Instead, we have rehashes of recent public knowledge.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    mat44950
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Israel nuclear weapons and doctrine, please

    Great show. Any chance you might venture into the Israeli nuclear program and Israeli doctrine for use of those weapons? Your listeners would be particularly interested in the freedom of military action weapons convey onto Israel, and how its monopoly on these weapons in the Middle East challenges, others to seek similar deterrent. Hope this topic isn’t too sensitive for your show. Thanks!

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    X-blank-X
    United Statesa month ago
  • Informative and engaging

    This is an excellent podcast which I throughly recommend. All episodes are well researched and informative. The chemistry between David and Gordon is excellent and drives the show. I would highly recommend this podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Pt57
    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.

Is Iran Recruiting Spies to Conduct Anti-Semitic Attacks?
Q: How are they being recruited?
Recruitment appears to occur online through social media and encrypted channels, with recruiters asking for personal details, potential targets, and in some cases posting initiation tasks, indicating a structured approach to selecting and grooming young volunteers.
Is Iran Recruiting Spies to Conduct Anti-Semitic Attacks?
Q: Could you just tell us a bit about this investigation, what you found as you dug into this?
The investigation uncovered a pattern of arson and vandalism attacks across Europe linked to an online network that appears to be coordinated by Iranian-linked actors, with recruitment channels, front groups, and possible ties to IRGC-backed entities, plus arrests and legal proceedings in multiple countries.
Why the Former Head of MI6 Has No Regrets About Iraq
Q: Do you think the Iraq War was justified in hindsight, given what we know now?
The guest argues that there is a broader context and that the decision-making was complex; while there were misjudgments and questionable public evidence, he believes the outcome in Iraq is better than where it could have ended, though this remains a debated assessment.
Why the Former Head of MI6 Has No Regrets About Iraq
Q: How did 9/11 reshape the UK–US intelligence relationship?',
It intensified collaboration and urgency, with close, rapid coordination between MI6, the CIA, and other allies, although it also introduced strains and new operational complexities, such as dealing with the proliferation of threats.
Why the Former Head of MI6 Has No Regrets About Iraq
Q: What is it like to be the chief of the Secret Intelligence Service?
It is an extraordinary position blending high-level risk-taking with deep integration into government policy, giving access to decision-makers and a strong capacity to influence strategic directions.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
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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: US
2. The Rest Is Politics
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 251 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. Gabriel Gatehouse
2. Jomana Karadsheh
3. David Kapler
4. Shane Harris
5. Sean Walker
6. Tumas Ilves
7. Sir Richard Dearlove
8. Michael Morrell

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