Podcast · 157 episodes
The Rest Is Classified, page 3
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 3
155. The Road to Iraq: How 9/11 Changed Everything (Ep 3)The episode explains how the Bush administration’s post-9/11 mindset and pre-existing regime-change plans led to the U.S.10 May 2026 · 57 min · 21 chapters
154. The Road to Iraq: Saddam Hussein's Fatal Error (Ep 2)After the 1991 Gulf War, Saddam Hussein secretly destroys parts of Iraq’s WMD programs before UN inspectors arrive, while Western intelligence and UNSCOM/IAEA inspections uncover unexpected…6 May 2026 · 51 min · 19 chapters
Alastair Campbell on the Iraq WarAlastair Campbell, former UK Labour Director of Communications under Tony Blair, discusses how the 9/11 attacks shaped the political and intelligence framing that led toward the Iraq War and the…5 May 2026 · 15 min · 7 chapters
153. The Road to Iraq: Weapons of Mass Destruction (Ep 1)The road to the 2003 Iraq War, focusing on how the WMD case was built and why it failed—framing it as intelligence and collection breakdowns plus a dysfunctional intelligence-politics interface, not…3 May 2026 · 1 h 4 min · 29 chapters
152. Britain’s Man Inside the IRA: Unmasking the Traitor (Ep 4)The finale of “The Rest is Classified” examines “Steakknife,” the British Army/FRU agent inside the IRA (Freddy Scappaticci), how his identity was exposed, and what the 2016–2025 Canova investigation…29 Apr 2026 · 1 h 5 min · 21 chapters
151. Britain’s Man Inside the IRA: From Spy to Executioner (Ep 3)Episode 3 of “Britain’s Man Inside the IRA: From Spy to Executioner” focuses on Freddy Scappaticci (“Steakknife”), a British intelligence asset who rose to number two in the IRA’s Internal Security…26 Apr 2026 · 52 min · 18 chapters
Why Do Russian Spies Interfere in Global Politics?Russian interference in global politics, with a focus on Europe; whether security/intelligence services can detect and respond effectively; and how political trust and NATO reliability are affected.23 Apr 2026 · 56 min · 18 chapters
150. Britain’s Man Inside the IRA: How to Run a Killer (Ep 2)How British security forces recruited and handled “Steak Knife” (Freddy Scappaticci), a high-ranking IRA internal security/counterintelligence agent, and the moral/operational dilemma of using a…22 Apr 2026 · 48 min · 18 chapters
149. Britain’s Man Inside the IRA: The Truth Behind Stakeknife (Ep 1)The start of a four-part series on “Steakknife,” a British intelligence agent embedded in the Provisional IRA during Northern Ireland’s Troubles, focusing on the ethical and operational dilemmas of…19 Apr 2026 · 45 min · 23 chapters
148. Can Europe Salvage its Relationship with Trump?Europe’s ability to salvage its relationship with Trump is discussed through the lens of Trump’s Iran strategy and likely next moves.17 Apr 2026 · 37 min · 14 chapters
147. Will Trump Destroy Iran’s Nuclear Programme? (Ep 2)Whether and how the US (with Israel) could destroy Iran’s nuclear program, focusing on the “breakout time” and the remaining highly enriched uranium (HEU) stockpile after Operations Midnight Hammer…14 Apr 2026 · 1 h 11 min · 35 chapters
146. How the CIA Rescued a Pilot Inside Iran (Ep 1)The episode frames US-Israeli efforts to stop Iran’s nuclear program, focusing on a real-world CIA-backed precedent: the April 3 rescue of a downed US F-15 pilot inside Iran, and what that implies…12 Apr 2026 · 1 h · 34 chapters
145. Black Hawk Down: What Osama bin Laden Learnt from Somalia (Ep 4)The episode covers the aftermath of the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu (“Black Hawk Down”), the political shock in the US, and the long-term strategic lessons—especially how Osama bin Laden allegedly…7 Apr 2026 · 51 min · 19 chapters
144. Black Hawk Down: The Bloodiest US Battle Since Vietnam (Ep 3)The second half of the Mogadishu battle (Oct 3–4, 1993): two Black Hawks down, Gordon and Shugart’s defense of Michael Durant’s crash site, the Rangers/Delta fight at Super 6-1, and the delayed,…5 Apr 2026 · 45 min · 16 chapters
143. Black Hawk Down: Chaos in Mogadishu (Ep 2)The second phase of the Oct. 3, 1993 U.S. raid in Mogadishu—“snatch and grab” of Somali National Alliance (SNA) lieutenants—then the mission spirals into a citywide firefight after multiple failures.31 Mar 2026 · 52 min · 18 chapters
142. Black Hawk Down: The True Story (Ep 1)The podcast begins a four-part series on the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu (“Black Hawk Down”), framed as a humanitarian mission that escalated into a manhunt and then a prolonged firefight, with major…29 Mar 2026 · 54 min · 17 chapters
141. Trump’s Latin America Playbook: How the CIA Toppled a Regime (Ep 2)CIA-backed regime-change operation against Guatemalan President Jacobo Árbenz in 1954, focusing on “Operation Success” (Ep 2).25 Mar 2026 · 53 min · 18 chapters
140. Trump’s Latin America Playbook: Before Venezuela, There Was Guatemala (Ep 1)In this episode of *The Rest Is Classified*, hosts David McCloskey and Gordon Corera explore the historical context of U.S.23 Mar 2026 · 52 min · 17 chapters
139. Trump vs Iran: Saddam Hussein and the Nuclear Bomb (Ep 2)This episode, hosted by David McCloskey and Gordon Corera, features a discussion with historian Arash Azizi about the complex history of U.S.-Iran relations, focusing on the implications of Saddam…18 Mar 2026 · 56 min · 21 chapters
138. Trump vs Iran: The Road to Operation Epic Fury (Ep 1)David McCloskey (former CIA analyst and spy novelist) & Gordon Corera (veteran security correspondent)16 Mar 2026 · 56 min · 16 chapters
137. How Russia Made Trump: MAGA Take The White House (Ep 6)David McCloskey and Gordon Corera11 Mar 2026 · 1 h 7 min · 22 chapters
136. How Russia Made Trump: Putin’s Troll Factory (Ep 5)In this episode, David McCloskey and Gordon Corera explore the role of Russian trolls in influencing the 2016 US presidential election, focusing on the infamous figure Yevgeny Prigozhin and the…8 Mar 2026 · 47 min · 14 chapters
135. Is The CIA Arming Kurdish Militias In Iran?David McCloskey (former CIA analyst) and Clarissa Ward (CNN's Chief International Correspondent).7 Mar 2026 · 39 min · 16 chapters
134. How Russia Made Trump: Was The Vote Rigged? (Ep 4)In this episode of *The Rest Is Classified*, hosts David McCloskey and Gordon Corera explore the Russian active measures campaign aimed at influencing the 2016 U.S.4 Mar 2026 · 51 min · 22 chapters