The Rest Is Classified

Explore how Russia misjudged the invasion of Ukraine, encountering fierce resistance instead of a quick victory. Dive into the chaotic opening days, marked by critical intelligence failures and logistical struggles. Discover how Putin's inner circle misled him, influencing strategic decisions. The resilience of Ukrainian forces during the battle for Hostomel Airport highlights unexpected twists and the urgency of global diplomatic relations in a looming crisis. Zelensky's leadership emerged as a symbol of unity and bravery against tyranny.

Discover how Ukraine defied expectations in its resistance against Russia. Explore the crucial role of Western intelligence in shaping Kyiv's military strategies. Delve into the skepticism that surrounded intelligence assessments and the chilling effects of declassifying sensitive information. Learn about CIA Director Bill Burns' urgent warnings during his visit to Ukraine and the psychological complexities faced by Ukrainian leadership amid crisis. Uncover the significance of accountability and historical documentation in understanding the conflict.

The podcast reveals how Western intelligence agencies uncovered Putin's plans to invade Ukraine, diving into the crucial military tensions and troop movements that heightened concerns. It discusses the flawed assumptions behind the invasion and highlights a mission by the CIA director to deter aggression. Humorous anecdotes illustrate tough diplomatic conversations amidst rising global tensions. The engaging dialogue examines the historical context and implications of these events on international relations, providing insight into the psychological stakes of high-stakes diplomacy.

What happens when the world’s most valuable spy is finally caught? How did British and American intelligence hunt him down? And, was Klaus Fuchs a hero, a villain, or something in between?Klaus Fuchs' final days as a free man were marked by growing suspicions, clandestine exchanges, and a relentless pursuit by MI5. The secrets he passed had already set the stage for a nuclear-armed Cold War, irreversibly altering the balance of global power. As the truth emerged, so too did the cost of his betrayal - a world reshaped by espionage, ideological conviction, and the stolen intelligence that fuelled an arms race.Listen as David and Gordon take you inside the mind of the man who stole the bomb - and the world he left in his wake.-------------------Order a signed edition of David's latest book, The Seventh Floor, via this link.-------------------Get our exclusive NordVPN deal here ➼ www.nordvpn.com/restisclassifiedIt’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money-back guarantee!Email: classified@goalhanger.comTwitter: @triclassifiedAssistant Producer: Becki HillsProducer: Callum HillSenior Producer: Dom JohnsonExec Producer: Tony Pastor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How did a Russian spy end up at the heart of the Manhattan Project? What happened when Soviet intelligence lost track of their own spy? And how did one man hand Stalin the bomb on a silver platter?Klaus Fuchs was already one of the most valuable spies in history, feeding atomic secrets to the Soviet Union. But when he disappeared in 1944, his handlers feared the worst. In reality, he was about to get even closer to the ultimate prize: the blueprints for the atomic bomb.This week, Gordon and David uncover how Fuchs embedded himself in Los Alamos, the most classified site on Earth, and carried out one of the greatest intelligence coups of the 20th century.-------------------Order a signed edition of David's latest book, The Seventh Floor, via this link.-------------------Get our exclusive NordVPN deal here ➼ www.nordvpn.com/restisclassifiedIt’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money-back guarantee!Email: classified@goalhanger.comTwitter: @triclassifiedAssistant Producer: Becki HillsProducer: Callum HillSenior Producer: Dom JohnsonExec Producer: Tony Pastor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What makes a man betray his closest friends? How did a German refugee help Stalin build the bomb? And why did British intelligence fail to spot the most dangerous spy in the Manhattan Project?Klaus Fuchs was brilliant, quiet, and unassuming. A physicist at the cutting edge of nuclear science, he worked at the heart of Britain’s secret atomic weapons program before being sent to the United States to join the Manhattan Project. But, all the while, Fuchs was passing the most closely guarded secrets of the West straight to the Soviet Union.Listen as David and Gordon uncover how Fuchs’ communist beliefs and wartime alliances led him to become one of the most infamous spies of the 20th century.-------------------Order a signed edition of David's latest book, The Seventh Floor, via this link.-------------------Get our exclusive NordVPN deal here ➼ www.nordvpn.com/restisclassifiedIt’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money-back guarantee!Email: classified@goalhanger.comTwitter: @triclassifiedAssistant Producer: Becki HillsProducer: Callum HillSenior Producer: Dom JohnsonExec Producer: Tony Pastor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Who was the Russian spy working under Oppenheimer to build the atomic bomb? Why was it so dangerous to be a communist in Nazi Germany? And how did a young science prodigy become one of the most notorious spies in history?Klaus Fuchs was born into a left-wing family at the beginning of the 20th century. Vehemently opposed to the fascist politics of his German homeland during the 1930s, Fuchs flees Hitler's repressive state and finds himself caught up in the horrors of World War Two. When a group of ambitious communists reach out to save him, his life is changed forever. This is the story of the communist spy who infiltrated the Manhattan Project.Listen as Gordon and David begin to tell the fascinating tale of Klaus Fuchs, the atomic spy.-------------------Order a signed edition of David's latest book, The Seventh Floor, via this link.-------------------Get our exclusive NordVPN deal here ➼ www.nordvpn.com/restisclassifiedIt’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money-back guarantee!Email: classified@goalhanger.comTwitter: @triclassifiedAssistant Producer: Becki HillsProducer: Callum HillSenior Producer: Dom JohnsonExec Producer: Tony Pastor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In a pivotal discussion, the podcast dives into Donald Trump's recent halt on intelligence sharing with Ukraine. Experts analyze the historical context and the implications this pause might have on the ongoing conflict. The dialogue highlights the vital intertwining of military technology with intelligence support, shedding light on Ukraine's shifting strategies against Russia. Furthermore, the stakes of US-UK intelligence collaboration come into focus, emphasizing the uncertainties faced by frontline personnel and future spy tales from the Cold War.

When the CIA is forced to downsize, who gets cut? What happens to the intelligence left behind? And how does political control change the way spies operate?In the late 1970s, Jimmy Carter’s CIA director launched a brutal purge, firing hundreds of intelligence officers in what became known as the Halloween Massacre. Now, with Trump taking his own axe to Langley, David and Gordon ask: is history repeating itself? And what happens when America’s spies become the target?-------------------Order a signed edition of David's latest book, The Seventh Floor, via this link.-------------------Get our exclusive NordVPN deal here ➼ www.nordvpn.com/restisclassifiedIt’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money-back guarantee!Email: classified@goalhanger.comTwitter: @triclassifiedAssistant Producer: Becki HillsProducer: Callum HillSenior Producer: Dom JohnsonExec Producer: Tony Pastor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Explore the tumultuous relationship between Trump and the CIA, highlighting efforts to control the agency's direction and reshape its priorities. Delve into historical parallels with Carter's controversial reforms, leading to events like the Halloween Massacre. The podcast also uncovers recent upheavals within the CIA workforce and the implications of shifting focuses, such as counter-narcotics over traditional threats. Critical discussions touch on officer safety, data security, and the agency's evolving role in the political landscape.