Central Intelligence Agency

David McCloskey is an American author known for his spy thrillers and his work as a podcast host. He previously served for six years as an intelligence analyst for the Central Intelligence Agency, focusing on Syria and frequently contributing to White House briefings. His experiences in the Middle East during his CIA tenure inform his fictional work.

After departing the CIA in 2016, McCloskey transitioned to consulting, offering security advice to clients in the aerospace and transportation industries. He has cited writing fiction as a method for processing his time with the agency. His debut novel, "Damascus Station," was published in 2021 and explores the life of a CIA operative within the Syrian context. His subsequent novels have garnered positive reception and have been translated into multiple languages. McCloskey also co-hosts "The Rest Is Classified," a podcast focused on intelligence matters.

David McCloskey's professional background includes a six-year tenure as an analyst with the Central Intelligence Agency. During his service, he specialized in matters concerning Syria and was stationed across the Middle East. His role involved regular contributions to intelligence briefings prepared for the White House. This direct experience in national security and international affairs provides a foundation for his subsequent literary endeavors. McCloskey has indicated that he began writing fiction, in part, as a personal method to come to terms with his experiences during his time at the CIA.

Following his departure from the CIA in 2016, McCloskey engaged in consulting work, advising companies in the aerospace and transportation sectors on security-related issues. His first novel, "Damascus Station," was released in 2021, depicting a CIA operative's activities in Syria under the Assad regime. The novel and his subsequent works have generally received favorable reviews and have achieved international distribution through translations. In addition to his writing, McCloskey co-hosts "The Rest Is Classified," a podcast that delves into intelligence and security topics, presented alongside journalist Gordon Corera. He has also entered into an agreement to develop film and television projects based on his literary output.