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Secrets, Spies, and The Persian: Inside the Mind of CIA Veteran David McCloskey

Nov 12, 2025

Guest

David McCloskey

David McCloskey, a former CIA analyst and bestselling author, delves into the intricacies of espionage in this engaging conversation. He shares the inspiration behind his latest thriller, The Persian, which follows a dentist's dangerous covert operations in Iran. The dialogue covers the dynamics of the intelligence community and the craft of writing authentic spy fiction. McCloskey also reveals insights from his podcast, highlighting intriguing stories and research challenges while balancing multiple creative projects effectively.

01:13:19

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insights

INSIGHT

Bay Of Pigs Shows Covert-Action Continuity

Bay of Pigs planning began under Eisenhower and evolved across administrations, showing covert-action continuity.
Covert plans balance operational realism with deniability, creating inherent tensions that can undermine success.

insights

INSIGHT

Oswald As A Self-Radicalized Actor

Lee Harvey Oswald may have acted as a self-radicalized lone actor rather than a directed asset.
That perspective reframes the assassination as possibly driven by personal ideology, not necessarily an external conspiracy.

insights

INSIGHT

Declassifications Add Embarrassment, Not New Truths

Recently released JFK-era files contain embarrassing operational details but don't rewrite the assassination narrative.
The disclosures add to public suspicion mainly because of extensive redactions and past CIA misdeeds.

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Overview of The Persian and Protagonist Kamran

00:13 • 58sec

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Host and Guest Reconnect; Episode Setup

01:10 • 1min

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Origins of The Rest Is Classified Podcast

02:30 • 4min

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Podcast Chemistry and Format

06:07 • 2min

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Podcast Output and Notable Guests

08:11 • 46sec

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Parallels Between Manhunts and Counterterrorism

08:57 • 2min

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Discussing Delta Force and Military Origins

Producing High-Quality Episodes Solo

14:50 • 2min

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Research Surprises — French DGSE and Greenpeace Plot

17:16 • 2min

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Bay of Pigs: Origins Under Eisenhower

19:09 • 2min

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Air Support Decisions and Kennedy's Role

21:07 • 3min

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Prisoners, Negotiations, and Castro's Ransom Offers

24:23 • 2min

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Public Fascination with JFK and Conspiracy Culture

26:21 • 2min

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Research Challenges: Sorting Through JFK Theories

28:13 • 2min

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Was Oswald Acting Alone or for Castro?

30:33 • 5min

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Declassified Documents: Embarrassment vs. Conspiracy

35:15 • 3min

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CIA History and Cold War Abuses

38:13 • 5min

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Publication Review Delays and Redactions

43:01 • 2min

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Quick Pub Review on The Persian and Process Timing

45:00 • 2min

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Filming at Langley and Ben Affleck Encounter

47:29 • 2min

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Jack's Filming Experience at Langley

49:27 • 1min

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Backstory and Plot of The Persian

50:44 • 5min

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Using Podcast Research to Fuel Fiction

56:10 • 2min

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Work Rhythm: Binge Weeks vs. Task Segmentation

57:45 • 2min

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Balancing Multiple Creative Projects

59:27 • 3min

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Books as the Main Effort; Podcast as Support

01:02:16 • 4min

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Different Writing Processes: Discovery vs. Outlines

01:06:40 • 2min

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The Value of Uninterrupted Writing Time

01:09:01 • 1min

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Preferred Workspaces: Coffee Shops for Fiction, Quiet for Podcasting

01:10:06 • 2min

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Final Remarks on The Persian and Podcast Plug

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Today’s guest is David McCloskey — former CIA analyst, bestselling author, and co-host of the hit podcast The Rest is Classified.

Before becoming a novelist, David served at the Central Intelligence Agency where he wrote for the President’s Daily Brief, testified before Congressional oversight committees, and briefed senior White House officials, ambassadors, and military leaders. He spent years stationed across the Middle East during the Arab Spring and later worked in the CIA’s Counterterrorism Center focused on the conflicts in Syria and Iraq.

David’s acclaimed thrillers — DAMASCUS STATION, MOSCOW X, THE SEVENTH FLOOR, and THE PERSIAN — have established him as one of the most authentic new voices in modern espionage fiction. Damascus Station was a finalist for the 2022 International Thriller Writer’s Award for Best First Novel and is currently in development for television. His latest release, The Persian, takes readers deep into a shadow war in Iran and follows a dentist living in Sweden who builds an international front to conceal a covert operation.

In this episode, Jack and David discuss the inspiration behind The Persian, the real-world dynamics of the intelligence community, and the meticulous craft of writing espionage fiction rooted in truth. They talk about the creation of The Rest is Classified — a top-charting podcast exploring untold spy stories, manhunts, and historical intrigue.

David also shares insights into the writing process, balancing podcasting with novel deadlines, the surprising bureaucracy of the intelligence world — past and present — and a humorous story of running into Ben Affleck at Langley during research for Argo.

His new novel, THE PERSIAN, is available now.

FOLLOW DAVID

X: @mccloskeybooks

Instagram: @mccloskeybooks

Facebook: @mccloskeybooks

Website: https://www.davidmccloskeybooks.com/

FOLLOW JACK

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X: @JackCarrUSA

Facebook: @JackCarr

YouTube: @JackCarrUSA

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