PodcastsHistoryThe Rest Is Classified

The Rest Is Classified

Goalhanger
The Rest Is Classified
Latest episode

176 episodes

  • The Rest Is Classified

    Why the Former Head of MI6 Has No Regrets About Iraq

    19/05/2026 | 17 mins.
    ** Join the Declassified Club at ⁠therestisclassified.com⁠ to listen to the full episode **

    -------------------

    What is the biggest misunderstanding people have about Iraq? What was Tony Blair’s fatal mistake? And, was MI6 too close to Downing Street?

    Listen as David and Gordon are joined by former head of MI6, Sir Richard Dearlove, for a frank conversation about what we can - and cannot - conclude about Iraq, two decades on.

    -------------------

    Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠

    Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@restisclassified⁠

    Social Producer: Emma Jackson

    Assistant Producer: Alfie Rowe

    Producer: Becki Hills

    Head of History: Dom Johnson

    Exec Producer: Tony Pastor
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
  • The Rest Is Classified

    157. The Road to Iraq: What the Spies Got Wrong (Ep 5)

    17/05/2026 | 53 mins.
    Who was “Curveball”? Why did Colin Powell rely so heavily on flawed intelligence in his presentation to the UN? And how did this set the tone for the opposition to war?

    As David and Gordon reach the penultimate episode in their series on Iraq WMD, they discuss how things could have gone so badly wrong.

    -------------------

    Join the Declassified Club to go deeper into the world of espionage with exclusive Q&As, interviews with top intelligence insiders, regular livestreams, ad-free listening, early access to episodes and live show tickets, and weekly deep dives into original spy stories. Members also get curated reading lists, special book discounts, prize draws, and access to our private chat community.

    Just go to ⁠⁠⁠therestisclassified.com⁠⁠.

    -------------------

    Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]

    Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@restisclassified⁠

    Video Editor: Joe Pettit

    Social Producer: Emma Jackson

    Assistant Producer: Alfie Rowe

    Producer: Becki Hills

    Head of History: Dom Johnson

    Exec Producer: Tony Pastor
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
  • The Rest Is Classified

    156. The Road to Iraq: Tony Blair's Campaign for War (Ep 4)

    13/05/2026 | 56 mins.
    What was the difference between the so-called “dodgy dossier” and the real dossier prepared by Tony Blair and Alastair Campbell? Why did the US rush their vital National Intelligence Estimate? And why was the intelligence so weak?

    Listen as David and Gordon explore how the US and UK sold the case for war in Iraq to the public.

    -------------------

    THE REST IS CLASSIFIED LIVE 2026 at The Rest Is Fest: Buy your tickets ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to see David and Gordon live on stage at London’s Southbank Centre on 4 September: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/the-rest-is-classified-live/⁠⁠⁠⁠

    -------------------

    Sign-up for our free newsletter where producer Becki takes you behind the scenes of the show: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mailchi.mp/goalhanger.com/tric-free-newsletter-sign⁠-up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    -------------------

    Join the Declassified Club to go deeper into the world of espionage with exclusive Q&As, interviews with top intelligence insiders, regular livestreams, ad-free listening, early access to episodes and live show tickets, and weekly deep dives into original spy stories. Members also get curated reading lists, special book discounts, prize draws, and access to our private chat community.

    Just go to ⁠⁠therestisclassified.com⁠ or join on Apple Podcasts.

    -------------------

    Get a 10% discount on business PCs, printers and accessories using the code TRIC10. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://HP.com/CLASSIFIED⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more information. T&C's apply.

    -------------------

    Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]

    Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@restisclassified⁠

    Video Editor: Vasco Andrade

    Social Producer: Emma Jackson

    Assistant Producer: Alfie Rowe

    Producer: Becki Hills

    Head of History: Dom Johnson

    Exec Producer: Tony Pastor
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
  • The Rest Is Classified

    The CIA's Biggest Intelligence Failure with Michael Morrell

    12/05/2026 | 17 mins.
    ** Join the Declassified Club at ⁠therestisclassified.com⁠ to listen to the full episode **

    -------------------

    How did intelligence biases shaped the final WMD assessment? What really happened with Colin Powell’s infamous UN speech? And, was Iraq the biggest intelligence failure in CIA history?

    Listen as David and Gordon are joined by former acting CIA Director, Michael Morrell, to discuss one of the most controversial episode in the agency’s history, with the man in the room where it happened.

    -------------------

    Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]

    ⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@restisclassified⁠

    Social Producer: Emma Jackson

    Assistant Producer: Alfie Rowe

    Producer: Becki Hills

    Head of History: Dom Johnson

    Exec Producer: Tony Pastor
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
  • The Rest Is Classified

    155. The Road to Iraq: How 9/11 Changed Everything (Ep 3)

    10/05/2026 | 57 mins.
    How significant a role did 9/11 play in the decision to go to war in Iraq? And why did Tony Blair commit to standing by George W. Bush “no matter what”?

    Listen as David and Gordon continue their series on Iraq WMD, charting the moment the West’s relationship with the Middle East changed, forever.

    -------------------

    THE REST IS CLASSIFIED LIVE 2026 at The Rest Is Fest: Buy your tickets ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to see David and Gordon live on stage at London’s Southbank Centre on 4 September: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/the-rest-is-classified-live/⁠⁠⁠⁠

    -------------------

    Sign-up for our free newsletter where producer Becki takes you behind the scenes of the show: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mailchi.mp/goalhanger.com/tric-free-newsletter-sign⁠-up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    -------------------

    Join the Declassified Club to go deeper into the world of espionage with exclusive Q&As, interviews with top intelligence insiders, regular livestreams, ad-free listening, early access to episodes and live show tickets, and weekly deep dives into original spy stories. Members also get curated reading lists, special book discounts, prize draws, and access to our private chat community.

    Just go to ⁠⁠therestisclassified.com⁠ or join on Apple Podcasts.

    -------------------

    Get a 10% discount on business PCs, printers and accessories using the code TRIC10. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://HP.com/CLASSIFIED⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more information. T&C's apply.

    -------------------

    Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]

    Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@restisclassified⁠

    Video Editor: Joe Pettit

    Social Producer: Emma Jackson

    Assistant Producer: Alfie Rowe

    Producer: Becki Hills

    Head of History: Dom Johnson

    Exec Producer: Tony Pastor
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
More History podcasts
About The Rest Is Classified
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.

Listen to The Rest Is Classified, Empire: World History and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app

Get the free radio.net app

  • Stations and podcasts to bookmark
  • Stream via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
  • Supports Carplay & Android Auto
  • Many other app features
The Rest Is Classified: Podcasts in Family