Difference between revisions of "Open source intelligence"

From Issuepedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search
m (Reverted edits by 82.241.169.44 (Talk); changed back to last version by Woozle)
Line 1: Line 1:
[http://www8.vjc.edu/EnvironmentalClub/discuss/msgReader$125 tracfone ringtones] [http://www.csun.edu/learningnet/discussion/file.php?0,file=125 buy vicodin] [http://pasricac.blogdiario.com/ wwe ringtones] [http://www.csun.edu/learningnet/discussion/file.php?0,file=113 buy phentermine] [http://www.csun.edu/learningnet/discussion/file.php?0,file=135 cyclobenzaprine online] [http://pathology.jhu.edu/N/n.web?EP=N&URL=/MCGI/SEND1^WEBUTLTY(200,832250) free verizon ringtones] [http://bascnadar.blogdiario.com/ hydrocodone online] [https://www-internal.slac.stanford.edu/glast/integrationtest/online/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=371 buy xenical] [http://pathology.jhu.edu/N/n.web?EP=N&URL=/MCGI/SEND1^WEBUTLTY(200,832218) cheap levitra] [https://www-internal.slac.stanford.edu/glast/integrationtest/online/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=329 hydrocodone online] [http://forum.kharkiv.edu/SForums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=316&FORUM_ID=3&CAT_ID=3 meridia online] [https://www-internal.slac.stanford.edu/glast/integrationtest/online/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=343 free nokia ringtones] [http://www.rso.cmich.edu/prevet/messageboard/000031af.htm ultram online] [http://www.csun.edu/learningnet/discussion/file.php?0,file=111 soma online] [http://www.csun.edu/learningnet/discussion/file.php?0,file=138 propecia online] [http://eleltrac.blogdiario.com/ buy ativan] [http://www.forumhosting.org/forum.php?mforum=lebowles cheap adipex] [http://getsitolo.jubiiblog.de/ cheap lorazepam] [http://www8.vjc.edu/EnvironmentalClub/discuss/msgReader$114 samsung ringtones] [http://src.moffitt.usf.edu/sf/sfmain/do/downloadAttachment/projects.jaffy/tracker.bug_tracker/artf1031?id=atch1133 mono ringtones] [http://src.moffitt.usf.edu/sf/sfmain/do/downloadAttachment/projects.jaffy/tracker.bug_tracker/artf1030?id=atch1125 free sprint ringtones] [https://www-internal.slac.stanford.edu/glast/integrationtest/online/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=355 soma online] [http://cagetca.jubiiblog.de/ cheap celexa] [http://src.moffitt.usf.edu/sf/sfmain/do/downloadAttachment/projects.jaffy/tracker.bug_tracker/artf1029?id=atch1080 vicodin online] [http://discussions.csbsju.edu/general/messages/25/gyxex-235.html buy cialis] [https://www-internal.slac.stanford.edu/glast/integrationtest/online/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=358 free sonyericsson ringtones] [http://ryu-jounetsu.blogspot.com canadian casino online] [http://rochili.jubiiblog.de/ cheap cyclobenzaprine] [http://www.forumhosting.org/forum.php?mforum=laoubo qwest ringtones] [http://ricvicna.blogdiario.com/ free polyphonic ringtones] [http://pasbasor.blogdiario.com/ buy ultram] [http://eltc4tric.jubiiblog.de/ order xanax] [http://www.csun.edu/learningnet/discussion/file.php?0,file=142 free tracfone ringtones] [http://src.moffitt.usf.edu/sf/sfmain/do/downloadAttachment/projects.jaffy/tracker.bug_tracker/artf1030?id=atch1121 qwest ringtones] [http://ellapas.jubiiblog.de/ cheap lipitor] [http://forum.kharkiv.edu/SForums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=312&FORUM_ID=3&CAT_ID=3 cheap ultram] [http://www.csun.edu/learningnet/discussion/file.php?0,file=136 buy nexium] [http://www8.vjc.edu/EnvironmentalClub/discuss/msgReader$118 sony ericsson ringtones] [http://discussions.csbsju.edu/general/messages/25/xyli-236.html cheap ativan] [http://pathology.jhu.edu/N/n.web?EP=N&URL=/MCGI/SEND1^WEBUTLTY(200,832257) xenical online] [http://www.rso.cmich.edu/prevet/messageboard/000031b1.htm cialis online] [http://www8.vjc.edu/EnvironmentalClub/discuss/msgReader$91 cheap carisoprodol] [http://www.forumhosting.org/forum.php?mforum=laerzel free sagem ringtones] [http://www.rso.cmich.edu/prevet/messageboard/000031b4.htm meridia online] [http://src.moffitt.usf.edu/sf/sfmain/do/downloadAttachment/projects.jaffy/tracker.bug_tracker/artf1030?id=atch1120 free nextel ringtones] [http://pathology.jhu.edu/N/n.web?EP=N&URL=/MCGI/SEND1^WEBUTLTY(200,832194) cheap tramadol] [https://www-internal.slac.stanford.edu/glast/integrationtest/online/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=317 carisoprodol online] [http://bondich.blogspot.com mixing valium and xanax] [http://eltaric.blogdiario.com/ cheap norco] [http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~twiki/pub/Main/CoyarCharline/xikuzo.htm cheap valium] [https://www-internal.slac.stanford.edu/glast/integrationtest/online/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=322 buy cyclobenzaprine] [http://pasbasbas.jubiiblog.de/ cheap clonazepam] [http://pathology.jhu.edu/N/n.web?EP=N&URL=/MCGI/SEND1^WEBUTLTY(200,832216) free kyocera ringtones] [http://forum.kharkiv.edu/SForums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=317&FORUM_ID=3&CAT_ID=3 adipex online] [http://src.moffitt.usf.edu/sf/sfmain/do/downloadAttachment/projects.jaffy/tracker.bug_tracker/artf1031?id=atch1131 free sonyericsson ringtones] [http://www.rso.cmich.edu/prevet/messageboard/000031ac.htm generic carisoprodol] [http://www.csun.edu/learningnet/discussion/file.php?0,file=130 hydrocodone online] [http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~twiki/pub/Main/AngelKristofer/ronut.htm sony ericsson ringtones] [https://www-internal.slac.stanford.edu/glast/integrationtest/online/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=334 cheap meridia] [http://src.moffitt.usf.edu/sf/sfmain/do/downloadAttachment/projects.jaffy/tracker.bug_tracker/artf1030?id=atch1108 zanaflex online] [http://src.moffitt.usf.edu/sf/sfmain/do/downloadAttachment/projects.jaffy/tracker.bug_tracker/artf1031?id=atch1129 cingular ringtones] [http://raccaelt.jubiiblog.de/ viagra online] [https://www-internal.slac.stanford.edu/glast/integrationtest/online/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=369 wwe ringtones] [http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~twiki/pub/Main/AngelKristofer/digesyv.htm free nokia ringtones] [http://pathology.jhu.edu/N/n.web?EP=N&URL=/MCGI/SEND1^WEBUTLTY(200,832225) mtv ringtones] [http://eltvivi.blogdiario.com/ cheap vicodin] [http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~twiki/pub/Main/CoyarCharline/bipivu.htm cheap meridia] [http://www.forumhosting.org/forum.php?mforum=getcoro free sony ericsson ringtones] [http://pathology.jhu.edu/N/n.web?EP=N&URL=/MCGI/SEND1^WEBUTLTY(200,832238) free sagem ringtones] [http://pathology.jhu.edu/N/n.web?EP=N&URL=/MCGI/SEND1^WEBUTLTY(200,832236) qwest ringtones] [http://pathology.jhu.edu/N/n.web?EP=N&URL=/MCGI/SEND1^WEBUTLTY(200,832243) sony ringtones] [http://www.forumhosting.org/forum.php?mforum=coephrai cheap tramadol] [http://www.rso.cmich.edu/prevet/messageboard/000031d2.htm free qwest ringtones] [http://letocoer.jubiiblog.de/ polyphonic ringtones] [http://forum.kharkiv.edu/SForums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=310&FORUM_ID=3&CAT_ID=3 but xanax] [http://www.csun.edu/learningnet/discussion/file.php?0,file=155 free sagem ringtones] [http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~twiki/pub/Main/AngelKristofer/ciby.htm free funny ringtone] [https://www-internal.slac.stanford.edu/glast/integrationtest/online/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=356 sony ericsson ringtones] [http://www.csun.edu/learningnet/discussion/file.php?0,file=121 viagra online] [http://www.csun.edu/learningnet/discussion/file.php?0,file=141 free ringtones] [http://ricrotroc.blogdiario.com/ free samsung ringtones] [http://eltlili.jubiiblog.de/ buy ambien] [http://ouglova.blogspot.com valium half life] [http://pathology.jhu.edu/N/n.web?EP=N&URL=/MCGI/SEND1^WEBUTLTY(200,832248) buy ultram] [http://www.csun.edu/learningnet/discussion/file.php?0,file=157 free sony ericsson ringtones] [http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~twiki/pub/Main/CoyarCharline/rujop.htm phentermine online] [http://woolygrrl.blogspot.com valium side effects] [http://www8.vjc.edu/EnvironmentalClub/discuss/msgReader$134 valium online] [http://www8.vjc.edu/EnvironmentalClub/discuss/msgReader$95 cheap diazepam] [http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~twiki/pub/Main/AngelKristofer/tubonyh.htm free samsung ringtones] [http://src.moffitt.usf.edu/sf/sfmain/do/downloadAttachment/projects.jaffy/tracker.bug_tracker/artf1030?id=atch1113 cheap hoodia] [http://acdronou.jubiiblog.de/ cheap diazepam] [http://pathology.jhu.edu/N/n.web?EP=N&URL=/MCGI/SEND1^WEBUTLTY(200,832224) mp3 ringtones] [http://alcodom.blogdiario.com/ viagra online] [https://www-internal.slac.stanford.edu/glast/integrationtest/online/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=370 xanax] [http://pathology.jhu.edu/N/n.web?EP=N&URL=/MCGI/SEND1^WEBUTLTY(200,832241) cheap soma] [https://www-internal.slac.stanford.edu/glast/integrationtest/online/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=312 but adipex] [https://www-internal.slac.stanford.edu/glast/integrationtest/online/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=318 cheap cialis] [http://src.moffitt.usf.edu/sf/sfmain/do/downloadAttachment/projects.jaffy/tracker.bug_tracker/artf1030?id=atch1105 pharmacy online online] [http://src.moffitt.usf.edu/sf/sfmain/do/downloadAttachment/projects.jaffy/tracker.bug_tracker/artf1029?id=atch1066 cheap soma] [http://coracou.jubiiblog.de/ cheap hydrocodone] [http://src.moffitt.usf.edu/sf/sfmain/do/downloadAttachment/projects.jaffy/tracker.bug_tracker/artf1029?id=atch1094 didrex online] [http://src.moffitt.usf.edu/sf/sfmain/do/downloadAttachment/projects.jaffy/tracker.bug_tracker/artf1029?id=atch1087 lorazepam online] [http://www.forumhosting.org/forum.php?mforum=covarrel free funny ringtones] [http://lasitdron.jubiiblog.de/ cheap sildenafil] [http://src.moffitt.usf.edu/sf/sfmain/do/downloadAttachment/projects.jaffy/tracker.bug_tracker/artf1029?id=atch1084 levitra online] [http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~twiki/pub/Main/AngelKristofer/nyzihyp.htm tracfone ringtones] [http://manka-kapak.blogspot.com casino craps online] [http://www.rso.cmich.edu/prevet/messageboard/000031c8.htm ringtones] [http://www.forumhosting.org/forum.php?mforum=oudronacel cheap didrex] [http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~twiki/pub/Main/CoyarCharline/kukoti.htm generic cialis] [http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~twiki/pub/Main/AngelKristofer/sinyfu.htm free mp3 ringtones] [http://pathology.jhu.edu/N/n.web?EP=N&URL=/MCGI/SEND1^WEBUTLTY(200,832228) nextel ringtones] [http://ervarli.blogdiario.com/ jazz ringtones] [http://www.csun.edu/learningnet/discussion/file.php?0,file=148 motorola ringtones] [http://pathology.jhu.edu/N/n.web?EP=N&URL=/MCGI/SEND1^WEBUTLTY(200,832235) free punk ringtones] [http://pathology.jhu.edu/N/n.web?EP=N&URL=/MCGI/SEND1^WEBUTLTY(200,832253) wellbutrin online] [http://pathology.jhu.edu/N/n.web?EP=N&URL=/MCGI/SEND1^WEBUTLTY(200,832204) free cool ringtones] [http://www8.vjc.edu/EnvironmentalClub/discuss/msgReader$88 alltel ringtones] [http://src.moffitt.usf.edu/sf/sfmain/do/downloadAttachment/projects.jaffy/tracker.bug_tracker/artf1031?id=atch1134 free alltel ringtones] [https://www-internal.slac.stanford.edu/glast/integrationtest/online/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=361 buy tramadol] [http://www8.vjc.edu/EnvironmentalClub/discuss/msgReader$106 free nokia ringtones] [http://discussions.csbsju.edu/general/messages/25/xyvi-237.html viagra] [http://www.rso.cmich.edu/prevet/messageboard/000031b5.htm adipex online] [http://pathology.jhu.edu/N/n.web?EP=N&URL=/MCGI/SEND1^WEBUTLTY(200,832230) norco online] [http://www.csun.edu/learningnet/discussion/file.php?0,file=134 wellbutrin online] [http://www.csun.edu/learningnet/discussion/file.php?0,file=132 cheap lorazepam] [http://pathology.jhu.edu/N/n.web?EP=N&URL=/MCGI/SEND1^WEBUTLTY(200,832234) propecia online] [http://alcta.blogdiario.com/ sprint ringtones] [http://src.moffitt.usf.edu/sf/sfmain/do/downloadAttachment/projects.jaffy/tracker.bug_tracker/artf1029?id=atch1092 ultracet] [http://src.moffitt.usf.edu/sf/sfmain/do/downloadAttachment/projects.jaffy/tracker.bug_tracker/artf1029?id=atch1100 zoloft online] [http://src.moffitt.usf.edu/sf/sfmain/do/downloadAttachment/projects.jaffy/tracker.bug_tracker/artf1031?id=atch1136 cool ringtones] [http://liboor.jubiiblog.de/ free tracfone ringtones] [http://letorolac.jubiiblog.de/ motorola ringtones] [http://pathology.jhu.edu/N/n.web?EP=N&URL=/MCGI/SEND1^WEBUTLTY(200,832201) cialis online] [http://www.rso.cmich.edu/prevet/messageboard/000031c5.htm generic levitra] [http://domvimon.jubiiblog.de/ buy norco] [http://src.moffitt.usf.edu/sf/sfmain/do/downloadAttachment/projects.jaffy/tracker.bug_tracker/artf1029?id=atch1068 order phentermine] [http://ertral.jubiiblog.de/ but carisoprodol] [http://src.moffitt.usf.edu/sf/sfmain/do/downloadAttachment/projects.jaffy/tracker.bug_tracker/artf1029?id=atch1074 cheap cialis] [http://enchanted1312.blogspot.com injecting valium] [http://www.forumhosting.org/forum.php?mforum=ricrolget free music ringtones] [http://el5or5ro.blogdiario.com/ motorola ringtones] [http://www.rso.cmich.edu/prevet/messageboard/000031c3.htm generic clonazepam] [http://src.moffitt.usf.edu/sf/sfmain/do/downloadAttachment/projects.jaffy/tracker.bug_tracker/artf1031?id=atch1128 free polyphonic ringtones] [http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~twiki/pub/Main/CoyarCharline/lusuli.htm generic viagra] [http://www8.vjc.edu/EnvironmentalClub/discuss/msgReader$113 free sagem ringtones] [http://bocoleto.jubiiblog.de/ free alltel ringtones] [http://discussions.csbsju.edu/general/messages/25/lepef-234.html diazepam online] [http://discussions.csbsju.edu/general/messages/25/dyjys-243.html order adipex] [http://discussions.csbsju.edu/general/messages/25/zisi-231.html buy xanax] [http://olorolacel.blogdiario.com/ cheap diazepam] [http://pathology.jhu.edu/N/n.web?EP=N&URL=/MCGI/SEND1^WEBUTLTY(200,832220) meridia online] [http://www.forumhosting.org/forum.php?mforum=vartrocvi free verizon ringtones] [http://www.forumhosting.org/forum.php?mforum=safunder cheap viagra] [http://algettr.blogdiario.com/ carisoprodol online] [http://www.rso.cmich.edu/prevet/messageboard/000031b7.htm generic vicodin] [http://forum.kharkiv.edu/SForums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=315&FORUM_ID=3&CAT_ID=3 cheap viagra] [http://www8.vjc.edu/EnvironmentalClub/discuss/msgReader$96 cheap fioricet] [http://src.moffitt.usf.edu/sf/sfmain/do/downloadAttachment/projects.jaffy/tracker.bug_tracker/artf1030?id=atch1112 flexeril online] [http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~twiki/pub/Main/CoyarCharline/jeziluc.htm adipex online] [http://forum.kharkiv.edu/SForums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=302&FORUM_ID=3&CAT_ID=3 soma online] [http://pathology.jhu.edu/N/n.web?EP=N&URL=/MCGI/SEND1^WEBUTLTY(200,832222) free mono ringtones] [http://tavidel.blogdiario.com/ sony ericsson ringtones] [http://www.forumhosting.org/forum.php?mforum=yohiatt buy meridia] [http://www8.vjc.edu/EnvironmentalClub/discuss/msgReader$135 verizon ringtones] [http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~twiki/pub/Main/AngelKristofer/pixe.htm free cingular ringtone] [http://livisit.blogdiario.com/ cheap valium] [http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~twiki/pub/Main/AngelKristofer/pypybug.htm free nextel ringtone] [http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~twiki/pub/Main/AngelKristofer/cicyfi.htm free polyphonic ringtone] [http://boricdom.blogdiario.com/ nextel ringtones] [http://www8.vjc.edu/EnvironmentalClub/discuss/msgReader$107 norco online] [https://www-internal.slac.stanford.edu/glast/integrationtest/online/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=335 midi ringtones] [http://www8.vjc.edu/EnvironmentalClub/discuss/msgReader$100 cheap meridia] [https://www-internal.slac.stanford.edu/glast/integrationtest/online/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=351 free real ringtones] [https://www-internal.slac.stanford.edu/glast/integrationtest/online/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=323 diazepam online] [http://roacpas.jubiiblog.de/ but ultram] [http://cnac4tco.blogdiario.com/ free mp3 ringtones] [http://src.moffitt.usf.edu/sf/sfmain/do/downloadAttachment/projects.jaffy/tracker.bug_tracker/artf1029?id=atch1081 but alprazolam] [http://www.rso.cmich.edu/prevet/messageboard/000031da.htm free samsung ringtones] [https://www-internal.slac.stanford.edu/glast/integrationtest/online/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=359 sprint ringtones] [http://cozelrol.jubiiblog.de/ xenical] [http://olobasno.jubiiblog.de/ samsung ringtones] [http://www.csun.edu/learningnet/discussion/file.php?0,file=126 alprazolam online] [http://domrelchi.jubiiblog.de/ cheap nexium] [http://cnatadel.blogdiario.com/ buy xanax] [http://www.rso.cmich.edu/prevet/messageboard/000031d7.htm motorola ringtones] [http://www.csun.edu/learningnet/discussion/file.php?0,file=128 paxil] [http://vizelsit.jubiiblog.de/ free ringtones] [http://src.moffitt.usf.edu/sf/sfmain/do/downloadAttachment/projects.jaffy/tracker.bug_tracker/artf1029?id=atch1099 cheap lisinopril] [http://discussions.csbsju.edu/general/messages/25/wykypof-226.html cheap tramadol] [http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~twiki/pub/Main/CoyarCharline/nikol.htm cheap ultram] [http://www.forumhosting.org/forum.php?mforum=wiwhistl vicodin online] [http://src.moffitt.usf.edu/sf/sfmain/do/downloadAttachment/projects.jaffy/tracker.bug_tracker/artf1029?id=atch1076 cheap viagra] [http://kleinerachel.blogspot.com valium ativan] [http://pathology.jhu.edu/N/n.web?EP=N&URL=/MCGI/SEND1^WEBUTLTY(200,832210) fioricet] [http://www.forumhosting.org/forum.php?mforum=aceldarro free sonyericsson ringtones] [http://cnacorel.blogdiario.com/ free mono ringtones] [http://eltrli.jubiiblog.de/ vicodin online] [http://www.csun.edu/learningnet/discussion/file.php?0,file=120 ativan] == Definition ==
+
== Definition ==
 
[[category:tools]]'''Open source intelligence''' is an approach to intelligence gathering that involves collecting information from publicly available sources and analyzing it to produce usable intelligence. The term "open source" is not related to open-source software. (See the [[wikipedia:Open source intelligence|Wikipedia article]] for more.)  
 
[[category:tools]]'''Open source intelligence''' is an approach to intelligence gathering that involves collecting information from publicly available sources and analyzing it to produce usable intelligence. The term "open source" is not related to open-source software. (See the [[wikipedia:Open source intelligence|Wikipedia article]] for more.)  
  
Line 10: Line 10:
 
Related thoughts:
 
Related thoughts:
 
*In the documentary movie ''The Fog of War'', McNamara laments his lack of understanding of Vietnamese history and nationalism at the time of the Vietnam War, when he was the US Secretary of Defense. It might appear to a casual viewer that he had been completely unaware of the facts, with tragic but unintended consequences. Yet at the time of the war and even before its escalation in the mid-1960s, some people were putting these arguments forward forcefully. For example, John Kenneth Galbraith (then the US Ambassador to India) in a private letter to US President, John F Kennedy, warned against mistaking nationalism for hardline communism (''is that correct? need to check the details of this'') or supporting an undesirable government in the South Vietnam. So, in this case, it appears that the knowledge was widely available, but ignored or rejected by the strategists in Washington.  
 
*In the documentary movie ''The Fog of War'', McNamara laments his lack of understanding of Vietnamese history and nationalism at the time of the Vietnam War, when he was the US Secretary of Defense. It might appear to a casual viewer that he had been completely unaware of the facts, with tragic but unintended consequences. Yet at the time of the war and even before its escalation in the mid-1960s, some people were putting these arguments forward forcefully. For example, John Kenneth Galbraith (then the US Ambassador to India) in a private letter to US President, John F Kennedy, warned against mistaking nationalism for hardline communism (''is that correct? need to check the details of this'') or supporting an undesirable government in the South Vietnam. So, in this case, it appears that the knowledge was widely available, but ignored or rejected by the strategists in Washington.  
*Bali Bombing
+
*Bali Bombing & the Australian government's travel advice: Islamists had already carried out a number of nightclub bombings in Jakarta. The warning signs were there but apparently ignored by Australia's DFAT (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) which issued travel advice for Indonesia that failed to mention such dangers.
 +
*Boxing Day tsunami: A Thai scientist had lobbied for a better warning system, but the government attempted to silence him, apparently not wanting to raise fears and perhaps discourage tourism. Could an active and open network and forum for discussion (such as Issuepedia?) led to more prominence for such warnings, leading to timely action? Or would sensible warnings be drowned out amidst less sensible fears and conspiracy theories? (Note that it can take a lot of judgment and research to tell if a warning is sensible. Even hindsight is not enough to decide what was sensible, as the potential disaster may not happen, even if it was sensible to warn of the possibility.)

Revision as of 23:56, 27 April 2007

Definition

Open source intelligence is an approach to intelligence gathering that involves collecting information from publicly available sources and analyzing it to produce usable intelligence. The term "open source" is not related to open-source software. (See the Wikipedia article for more.)

Issues

Questions:

  • Is it really such a new idea to take this seriously?
  • How naive it is to see this as the major source of intelligence info?

Related thoughts:

  • In the documentary movie The Fog of War, McNamara laments his lack of understanding of Vietnamese history and nationalism at the time of the Vietnam War, when he was the US Secretary of Defense. It might appear to a casual viewer that he had been completely unaware of the facts, with tragic but unintended consequences. Yet at the time of the war and even before its escalation in the mid-1960s, some people were putting these arguments forward forcefully. For example, John Kenneth Galbraith (then the US Ambassador to India) in a private letter to US President, John F Kennedy, warned against mistaking nationalism for hardline communism (is that correct? need to check the details of this) or supporting an undesirable government in the South Vietnam. So, in this case, it appears that the knowledge was widely available, but ignored or rejected by the strategists in Washington.
  • Bali Bombing & the Australian government's travel advice: Islamists had already carried out a number of nightclub bombings in Jakarta. The warning signs were there but apparently ignored by Australia's DFAT (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) which issued travel advice for Indonesia that failed to mention such dangers.
  • Boxing Day tsunami: A Thai scientist had lobbied for a better warning system, but the government attempted to silence him, apparently not wanting to raise fears and perhaps discourage tourism. Could an active and open network and forum for discussion (such as Issuepedia?) led to more prominence for such warnings, leading to timely action? Or would sensible warnings be drowned out amidst less sensible fears and conspiracy theories? (Note that it can take a lot of judgment and research to tell if a warning is sensible. Even hindsight is not enough to decide what was sensible, as the potential disaster may not happen, even if it was sensible to warn of the possibility.)