Podcast · 157 episodes
The Rest Is Classified, page 2
by Goalhanger · English
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.
All episodes, page 2
176. The True Story of the Spies Held Hostage by China (Ep 2)Finale of a two-part series on the 2001 EP-3 collision over the South China Sea, the resulting hostage-like detention of the U.S. crew in China, the diplomatic crisis, and what was compromised.15 Jul 2026 · 47 min · 16 chapters
175. How China Downed a US Spy Plane (Ep 1)The Hainan Incident (April 1, 2001) over the South China Sea: a Chinese J-8 fighter jet (pilot Wang Wei) collides with a US Navy EP-3 signals-intelligence aircraft, killing the Chinese pilot and…12 Jul 2026 · 37 min · 11 chapters
174. The Murder of Litvinenko: Did the British State Hide the Truth? (Ep 6)The podcast closes its Litvinenko series by asking whether the British state hid the truth and whether justice exists.8 Jul 2026 · 48 min · 21 chapters
173. The Murder of Litvinenko: The Killers Escape (Ep 5)The investigation into Alexander Litvinenko’s 2006 murder in London using polonium-210, focusing on how investigators traced the radioactive trail, identified suspects, and attempted interviews in…5 Jul 2026 · 38 min · 14 chapters
172. The Murder of Litvinenko: Russia’s Nuclear Weapon (Ep 4)The investigation into Alexander Litvinenko’s poisoning in London, focusing on his illness timeline, police interviews, and the eventual discovery that he was contaminated with polonium.1 Jul 2026 · 43 min · 17 chapters
171. The Murder of Litvinenko: Killed in Plain Sight (Ep 3)The buildup to Alexander Litvinenko’s poisoning and murder in London, focusing on threats from Russia, his escalating anti-Putin activism, and the operational details of the plot.28 Jun 2026 · 41 min · 15 chapters
170. The Murder of Litvinenko: Putin’s Plan To Kill (Ep 2)Alexander Litvinenko’s life in London after asylum (2000–2006) and how his anti-FSB claims, investigations, and intelligence-linked work created multiple motives for the Russian state to kill him.24 Jun 2026 · 52 min · 22 chapters
169. The Murder of Litvinenko: Poisoned in London (Ep 1)Episode 1 of a new series on the 2006 London killing of Alexander Litvinenko by radioactive polonium, framed as a spy/murder mystery about who ordered it and why.21 Jun 2026 · 52 min · 23 chapters
168. Trump's New Director of National Intelligence and the CIA's Missing Gold BarsCIA officer David Rush arrested after FBI search of his Virginia home found 303 one-kilogram gold bars (~$42M), plus foreign currency and 35 luxury watches.18 Jun 2026 · 1 h 3 min · 19 chapters
167. The Covid Origin Story: What the CIA Really Found (Ep 2)The CIA and wider US intelligence community’s evolving assessments of COVID-19’s origins, focusing on whether it was a lab-associated incident (Wuhan Institute of Virology) or zoonotic spillover, and…17 Jun 2026 · 1 h 2 min · 15 chapters
166. The Covid Origin Story: Lab Leak or Animal Outbreak? (Ep 1)The CIA and wider U.S. intelligence community’s early-2020 effort to determine COVID-19’s origin, framed as lab leak vs zoonotic animal outbreak, and how politicization limited conclusions.14 Jun 2026 · 39 min · 9 chapters
165. Why England Didn't Win the 1970 World Cup (Ep 2)Part 2 of “Why England Didn’t Win the 1970 World Cup,” examining the claim that the CIA poisoned England goalkeeper Gordon Banks after he drank a “quiet beer” in his hotel room at the Guadalajara…10 Jun 2026 · 56 min · 15 chapters
164. Did the CIA Poison England's World Cup Goalkeeper? (Ep 1)Whether the CIA poisoned England goalkeeper Gordon Banks in 1970 to help Brazil win the World Cup, plus how espionage-like behavior can appear in sports tournaments.7 Jun 2026 · 46 min · 18 chapters
163. Argo: Smuggled Out of Khomeini's Iran (Ep 4)The Jan 28, 1980 exfiltration of six American diplomats from Tehran using Canadian help and Tony Mendez’s “Hollywood scouting crew” cover, followed by the immediate aftermath in Zurich and the later…3 Jun 2026 · 48 min · 17 chapters
162. Argo: How the CIA Made a Movie That Never Existed (Ep 3)CIA/Canadian exfiltration planning in Tehran (Jan 25–27, 1980) using a Hollywood cover story for six Canadian-hosted American diplomats, culminating in airport escape preparations.31 May 2026 · 47 min · 19 chapters
Is Iran Recruiting Spies to Conduct Anti-Semitic Attacks?CNN International correspondent Jamana Karacha discusses her investigation into whether Iran-linked groups recruit people in Europe—often via social media/Telegram—to carry out arson attacks…28 May 2026 · 42 min · 16 chapters
161. Argo: Six Fugitives in Revolutionary Tehran (Ep 2)CIA exfiltration planning for six American diplomats hiding in Tehran after the 1979 Iranian Revolution; focus on cover stories, passports, and building the “Studio 6” Hollywood ruse.27 May 2026 · 1 h 6 min · 23 chapters
160. Argo: The Secret Iranian Hostage Crisis (Ep 1)The CIA’s January 1980 rescue effort to exfiltrate six US diplomats from Tehran during the 1979–81 Iranian hostage crisis, and how the story later became associated with the 2012 film Argo.24 May 2026 · 1 h 6 min · 24 chapters
159. Is NATO Prepared for a Russian Attack?NATO readiness for a possible Russian attack on the Baltic border, including “hybrid/grey zone” sabotage, Article 4/5 uncertainty, and whether the US will reliably defend Estonia and other allies.21 May 2026 · 53 min · 20 chapters
158. The Road to Iraq: George Bush's Unstoppable War (Ep 6)Final episode of The Rest is Classified’s Iraq WMD series, arguing that the US/UK case for Iraq’s weapons relied on flawed intelligence and confirmation bias, while UN inspectors found no WMD and…20 May 2026 · 1 h · 27 chapters
Why the Former Head of MI6 Has No Regrets About IraqSir Richard Dearlove (former MI6/SIS chief, 1999–2004) reflects on UK/US intelligence ties, the Iran conflict, and Iraq-era lessons, arguing the UK should have supported the US more while staying…19 May 2026 · 15 min · 5 chapters
157. The Road to Iraq: What the Spies Got Wrong (Ep 5)How unreliable intelligence and bad liaison sources about Iraq’s WMD—especially claims about uranium from Africa and mobile biological weapons labs—were incorporated into US/UK public war arguments,…17 May 2026 · 54 min · 26 chapters
156. The Road to Iraq: Tony Blair's Campaign for War (Ep 4)How UK (MI6/SIS) intelligence helped construct the public case for the 2003 Iraq War, focusing on the lead-up to the September 2002 UK dossier and the “45 minutes” claim; also compares UK failures…13 May 2026 · 57 min · 16 chapters
The CIA's Biggest Intelligence Failure with Michael MorrellMichael Morrell, former acting director/deputy director and CIA top analyst, discusses the CIA’s intelligence failures leading to the Iraq WMD case, and draws parallels to today’s Iran nuclear debate.12 May 2026 · 15 min · 7 chapters