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, explore the world of double agents, classified missions, and the shadowy figures who operate in them. Whether you're a true crime addict, a thriller fan, or fascinated by spy stories, this is the show for you.
Latest episodes
Showing 20 · updated from the feed
200. Kim Philby: Unmasking MI6’s Greatest Traitor (Ep 5)
Has the past finally caught up with MI6 officer and KGB spy Kim Philby? His best friend has been sent out to confront him - but who will win out?
Listen as David and Gor
Oct 18 49 min
Intelligence Scoop: The Biggest Threats to Britain, Live From MI5
What really happened at RAF Fairford? Are Russia and Iran escalating their attacks on the UK? And could AI help terrorists develop deadly bioweapons?
Listen as David an
Oct 13 48 min
199. Kim Philby: Undercover in Beirut (Ep 4)
Kim Philby is staying one step ahead of his pursuers who suspect the MI6 man is also a KGB agent. Now he’s heading to the Middle East where his past will catch up with hi
Oct 11 46 min
Intelligence Scoop: Former German Spy Chief Arrested for Treason
Germany’s former intelligence chief has been arrested for treason and spying for a foreign power. But who has he been accused of spying for? And how dangerous could this
Oct 7 35 min
198. Kim Philby: Interrogated by MI5 (Ep 3)
Two of the Cambridge spies have fled to Moscow and now the finger of suspicion is pointing at the Third Man - Kim Philby. But will the top MI6 officer crack under pressur
Oct 4 50 min
London Station (Extract)
To coincide with the release of David's latest novel, London, we have the book’s first two chapters in audiobook form for you to enjoy.
Artemis Procter returns in David
Oct 2 32 min
Intelligence Scoop: Could Netanyahu Have Prevented October 7?
The events of October 7 2023 reshaped the Middle East. But could what happened on that fateful day, and everything that has come after, have been prevented?
Listen as Da
Sep 30 53 min
197. Kim Philby: The Russians Make a Fatal Mistake (Ep 2)
Kim Philby is MI6’s man in Washington - whilst also working for the KGB. But he’s about to discover that western intelligence is running a hunt for moles - one that could
Sep 27 54 min
Intelligence Scoop: Is Russia Preparing to Attack Europe?
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 Cor
Sep 23 56 min
196. Kim Philby: A KGB Spy in Washington (Ep 1)
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
Sep 20 55 min
195. How Silicon Valley Took Over National Security
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 Dav
Sep 17 36 min
194. The KGB in Iran: Appeasing the Ayatollah with Ben Macintyre (Ep 2)
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
Sep 16 53 min
193. The KGB in Iran: Defecting to MI6 with Ben Macintyre (Ep 1)
A KGB officer is recruited by MI6 in Iran at a time of revolutionary upheaval. His intelligence helped shape the Cold War. But how far is agent Redwood motivated by some
Sep 13 45 min
192. 9/11: The War on Terror (Ep 6)
What was the nature of the intelligence failures leading up to 9/11? Could the attacks have been prevented? And what is the enduring impact, 25 years on, of that grim day
Sep 9 57 min
191. 9/11: The Twin Towers Fall (Ep 5)
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 Amer
Sep 6 48 min
190. 9/11: Could the Attacks Have Been Prevented? (Ep 4)
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 nigh
Sep 2 54 min
189. 9/11: How Much Did the Saudis Know? (Ep 3)
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?
Aug 30 1 h 07 min
188. 9/11: How to Recruit a Hijacker (Ep 2)
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
Aug 26 1 h 04 min
The Man Who Briefed the President on 9/11
*** TO LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW, SUBSCRIBE TO THE DECLASSIFIED CLUB ***
-------------------
What was the first thing the President said after the September 11th att
Aug 25 15 min
187. 9/11: The Rise of Osama bin Laden (Ep 1)
9/11 was the most devastating terrorist attack in history, but where did the plot come from? And when a freelance terrorist walks in with a plan to fly planes into Americ
Aug 23 1 h 03 min
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Where The Rest Is Classified ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Oct 20, 2026).
A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.
I have learned so much on topics I thought I was informed on before. The recounting is fair and factual. And the perspective these guys bring from their prior experience is gives it a depth that I haven't heard on other podcasts. In the lead up to 9/11 I started with that series. I haven't been able to stop listening. I can't recommend this series enough!
GA-B B · Sep 2026
Strong overall. Good host chemistry and humour. Occasional choices are puzzling, e.g., Battle of Mogadishu, where they seem to have little to add to the literature (fine work but seemed outside their core competence of espionage). They’ve been killing it for last several weeks! I’d be happy to have that level every 3-4 and still be impressed, but wow.
Nico de Piemonte · Aug 2026
As a former IC professional, now on the outside like the Mr. McCloskey, I love the idea of this podcast and have greatly enjoyed certain episodes and series. However, the credibility (and enjoyment) suffers when their political viewpoints enter in, most noticeably on current and recent events. Bias, omissions, and a double standard in some cases have led me to stop listening mid-stream to some episodes. This podcast is a fantastic idea and I do enjoy listening to the hosts, including the inspired approach of the trans-Atlantic “special relationship.” However, Mr. McCloskey in particular— as a former intel analyst— does the intelligence profession and listeners a disservice by falling short of checking politics at the door and practicing sound analytic tradecraft. I will continue to listen with my radar up, and hope the hosts are willing and able to improve in their presentation of current events in particular. If not, I propose they limit themselves to spy stories of old, where their political viewpoints aren’t as vested in coloring the story. Thank you in advance for your openness to hearing my feedback.
AMBergie13 · Jul 2026
Best spy podcast going and it's not close. David McCloskey was a real CIA analyst. Gordon Corera did 20 years on the security beat at the BBC. So when they walk you through a case you get the actual tradecraft, the screwups, the people, and it grips harder than any thriller. The Litvinenko series is unreal. Their run on how Russia hacked the 2016 election, the Prigozhin and troll farm and GRU stuff, is the clearest version of that mess I've heard anywhere. Start there, or just start at episode one.
Then read the one star reviews for a laugh. Same crowd every time. Some MAGA guy melting down because the show covered Russian disinformation and wouldn't call it a hoax. Which is beautiful, actually, because the episode literally explains how the troll farms worked, and then the trolls show up in the reviews to prove the episode right. Free live demonstration. Ten out of ten commitment to the bit, comrades. Send Prigozhin my regards.
Ignore all that and subscribe.
OkDokayDokay · Jul 2026
This could be an excellent and informative podcast if Gordon didn't so blatantly force his political narratives down the listener's throat. I've long listened to their sister podcast, The Rest is History. While those hosts surely don't come to the microphone lacking political beliefs, they are much more measured in approaching topics with clear political divides, without expressing disdain for people who might not agree with them.
Blazerfan23 · Jun 2026
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 the hosts to share my political views, but I do expect some degree of intellectual curiosity and an honest examination of all sides. Unfortunately, that seems to disappear whenever modern politics enters the discussion.
Unfollowed.
Loader240troops · Aug 2026
We strive to present a balanced view by showing a diverse range of reviews from Apple Podcasts.
Here you find the Apple Podcasts chart positions of The Rest Is Classified, its latest episodes to listen to directly, and reviews from listeners. Rankings are updated daily for the United States.
