What is OSINT?
OSINT, or Open-Source Intelligence, refers to the collection and analysis of information that is publicly available from open sources. This can include anything that is freely accessible on the internet, such as social media posts, news articles, blogs, public government reports, satellite imagery, and other forms of publicly shared data.
OSINT is used by journalists, intelligence agencies, analysts, and researchers to gather valuable information about individuals, organizations, and events, especially in environments where traditional intelligence-gathering methods are limited or restricted. Unlike classified intelligence, OSINT relies on data that anyone can access legally, making it a powerful tool in conflict zones or under authoritarian regimes, where traditional media and investigative journalism are censored or heavily regulated.
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Why OSINT Matters
OSINT, which refers to the collection and analysis of publicly available data, has emerged as a key resource for tracking jihadist propaganda, communications, and movements. With Afghanistan under the strict control of the Taliban, independent journalists and news outlets are at high risk, forcing many to flee the country or halt operations. This has left the monitoring of jihadist groups, such as ISIS-K and al-Qaeda affiliates, heavily reliant on non-traditional methods like OSINT.
The Taliban’s control over the media landscape mirrors situations in other conflict zones. For example, in Iraq and Syria, where groups like ISIS proliferated, OSINT was widely used by analysts, journalists, and researchers to gather information. Social media platforms, propaganda videos, and messaging apps became primary sources of intelligence to track militant groups' narratives, recruitment efforts, and territorial movements. Similarly, in Yemen, where al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) has been active, OSINT allowed the international community to monitor the group’s operations despite a near-total blackout of traditional media.
OSINT in Afghanistan: Building on Global Experience
Drawing on the experiences of Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, OSINT is proving invaluable in Afghanistan as well. Extremist groups rely on digital platforms for propaganda dissemination, radicalization, and even operational planning. Tracking these online activities allows intelligence analysts and journalists to fill the information gap left by the Taliban’s media crackdown.
The effectiveness of OSINT in these countries has shown that relying on publicly available data such as social media posts, satellite imagery, and jihadist media outlets can provide real-time insights into the strategies and tactics of extremist groups. For instance, ISIS’s propaganda on platforms like Telegram and Twitter during its peak in Iraq and Syria helped analysts identify recruitment patterns, target locations, and shifts in ideology. In Yemen, OSINT played a similar role in tracking the AQAP’s media campaigns and attacks. Afghanistan, under Taliban rule, is now ripe for similar OSINT approaches.
Follow OSINT Experts on X
For anyone interested in staying informed on the activities of jihadist groups in Afghanistan, following OSINT experts on X (formerly Twitter) is crucial. These analysts and researchers provide real-time updates and deep insights into the evolving situation in the country. Here are four OSINT profiles worth following:
1. Afghan Witness - (https://x.com/afghan_witness) – This account focuses on documenting human rights abuses, Taliban decrees, and extremist activities through open-source investigations.
2. Afghan Analyst - (https://x.com/AfghanAnalyst2) – A well-respected source of information on political, security, and insurgent dynamics in Afghanistan, with a focus on tracking jihadist groups.
3. - Abdul Sayed- (https://x.com/abdsayedd) – An expert on jihadist movements in South Asia, Abdul Sayed frequently shares insights on Taliban operations and jihadist media in Afghanistan.
4. - Qais Amad Alamdar - (https://x.com/Qaisalamdar – Qais provides a wealth of information on security and extremist activity in Afghanistan, analyzing open-source data to track the Taliban and other militant organizations.
As Afghanistan faces increasing media repression, the role of OSINT in tracking jihadist media and activities is more important than ever. The Taliban’s efforts to silence journalists and restrict access to information have created a dangerous void, but OSINT practitioners are working to fill this gap. Drawing on experiences from other conflict zones like Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, we can continue to shine a light on the extremism brewing in Afghanistan, and social media platforms provide a crucial avenue for this work. I encourage readers to follow OSINT experts on X for real-time, insightful updates that offer a window into Afghanistan’s evolving jihadist landscape.
#Afghanistan #OSINT #Taliban #Kabul
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