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
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
186. The Secret Spy Network: Can Five Eyes Survive Trump? (Ep 4)
The Five Eyes is an intelligence alliance that has endured for decades. But can it survive Donald Trump in the White House?
Listen as David and Gordon are joined by Rich
Aug 19 47 min
185. The Secret Spy Network: How Snowden Nearly Destroyed Everything (Ep 3)
The Five Eyes are watching the world. But what happens when one eye is bigger than the other? And what happens when new threats emerge?
Listen as David and Gordon are jo
Aug 16 52 min
184. The Secret Spy Network: Kim Philby Threatens the Alliance (Ep 2)
An intelligence alliance established to spy on the Soviets during the Cold War. But will it be able to hold together under crisis?
David and Gordon are once again joined
Aug 12 37 min
183. The Secret Spy Network: How The US and UK Spy Together (Ep 1)
It is most powerful intelligence alliance the world has ever seen But what is the Five Eyes and how did it begin?
Listen as David and Gordon are joined by journalist, au
Aug 9 39 min
182. The Imitation Game: The Codebreakers Who Defeated Hitler (Ep 2)
Alan Turing is working frantically to break the German codes at Bletchley Park. But can the Brits and Americans really trust each other?
Listen as David and Gordon concl
Aug 5 59 min
181. The Imitation Game: How Alan Turing Broke Enigma (Ep 1)
A secret mission in the middle of a war to Bletchley Park. One that will lead to the closest intelligence alliance in history.
Listen as David and Gordon tell the secret
Aug 2 45 min
Chart trend
Position in the History chart (US), last 90 days.
#1#24#46JulAugSepOct
#2
all-time peak
8
days in the top 3 since Nov 2024
Chart positions
Where The Rest Is Classified ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Oct 1, 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.
