The Rest Is Classified
Goalhanger
SummaryStep into the hidden corridors of history and global power with The Rest Is Classified. Hosted by David McCloskey and Gordon Corera, this podcast pulls back the curtain on the world of espionage, intelligence, and the covert maneuvers that shape our reality. If you have ever wondered what really happens behind the closed doors of international diplomacy and statecraft, this is the briefing you have been waiting for. Each series takes a deep, methodical look at some of the most complex stories of the modern era. Whether the hosts are dissecting the chilling details of the Alexander Litvinenko poisoning, separating fact from fiction in the CIA’s real-life Argo mission, or investigating the mysterious circumstances surrounding the origins of the global pandemic, they bring a sharp, analytical eye to every file. They do not just skim the surface of headlines; they explore the technical realities, the failures of internal security, and the high-stakes political games that often remain buried in classified archives. With a perfect balance of historical rigor and narrative pacing, the show examines the grey areas where intelligence gathering meets geopolitical crisis. It is a compelling, investigative journey for anyone fascinated by the true nature of power, the anatomy of conspiracy, and the shadowy professionals who operate in the world’s most dangerous places. Tune in for a masterclass in modern history that proves the truth is almost always stranger than fiction.
Updated Jun 30, 2026
Episodes
170. The Murder of Litvinenko: Putin’s Plan To Kill (Ep 2)
Alexander Litvinenko turns into a marked man in London as he exposes Russian state corruption and links to the FSB.
169. The Murder of Litvinenko: Poisoned in London (Ep 1)
Ex-FSB officer Alexander Litvinenko is murdered in London with radioactive polonium, exposing dark state conspiracies.
168. Trump's New Director of National Intelligence and the CIA's Missing Gold Bars
A senior CIA officer is arrested after embezzling 42 million in gold bars through a fake special access program.
167. The Covid Origin Story: What the CIA Really Found (Ep 2)
Political pressure and conflicting intelligence reports fueled a fierce, partisan battle over the origins of COVID-19.
166. The Covid Origin Story: Lab Leak or Animal Outbreak? (Ep 1)
Intelligence agencies face intense political pressure while investigating whether COVID-19 originated from a lab leak.
165. Why England Didn't Win the 1970 World Cup (Ep 2)
Did a clandestine CIA plot targeting England's goalkeeper behind a 1970 World Cup upset actually take place?
164. Did the CIA Poison England's World Cup Goalkeeper? (Ep 1)
Investigating the wild theory that the CIA sabotaged England legend Gordon Banks to fix the 1970 World Cup for Brazil.
163. Argo: Smuggled Out of Khomeini's Iran (Ep 4)
Six American diplomats attempt a high-stakes escape from Tehran by masquerading as a Hollywood film scouting crew.
162. Argo: How the CIA Made a Movie That Never Existed (Ep 3)
CIA officer Tony Mendez arrives in Tehran to train six hiding diplomats to pose as a Canadian sci-fi film crew.
Is Iran Recruiting Spies to Conduct Anti-Semitic Attacks?
Investigating reports that Iranian intelligence is using online recruitment to fuel anti-Semitic attacks across Europe.
161. Argo: Six Fugitives in Revolutionary Tehran (Ep 2)
The CIA and Canadian diplomats hatch a wild plan to rescue six Americans from Tehran by posing as a film crew.
160. Argo: The Secret Iranian Hostage Crisis (Ep 1)
Six US diplomats escape a mob in Tehran, sparking an improbable rescue mission that reveals true Canadian heroism.
159. Is NATO Prepared for a Russian Attack?
From the Russian border, we examine NATO readiness and the shifting security landscape amidst rising regional tensions.
158. The Road to Iraq: George Bush's Unstoppable War (Ep 6)
As UN inspectors find nothing in Iraq, the push for war persists despite Saddam’s claims of having no weapons.
Why the Former Head of MI6 Has No Regrets About Iraq
Former MI6 chief Sir Richard Dearlove reflects on the Iraq War, the Iranian regime, and the special relationship.
157. The Road to Iraq: What the Spies Got Wrong (Ep 5)
Intelligence failures and unreliable sources fueled the disastrous case for war in Iraq leading up to the 2003 invasion.
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