Would like to know where to start?

[scenic locust]

I have had an interest in "learning the ropes" of the OSINT trade for a while. I just would really like to know where to start.

[honest drift]

Bellingcat has a good article on this: https://www.bellingcat.com/resources/2021/11/09/first-steps-to-getting-started-in-open-source-research/

Twitter is not as green a pasture as it was when this article was published, mind

[lost latch]

Hello! There are some good resources listed on our #welcome page.

Including the one @honest drift Evan mentioned. 😀

[scenic locust]

@lost latch Thank you very much.

[steady compass]

Do you have have a specific interest or topic you want to explore? If so read about how other investigations in the area are conducted and put the pieces together

itemise the tools and techniques used, try to understand why and what their limitations are

also get a solid understanding of the basics ofc, but you can do that in parallel to exploration

[scenic locust]

Thanks.

[plain cipher]

https://youtube.com/@Bendobrown?feature=shared

This is a fantastic series

[patent geyser]

I gave this advice to a journalist a couple days ago which i think is the best super-tldr

You can find/learn techniques for the sake of learning them, but i think the best approach is to treat OSINT like any other research methodology. Figure out what you want to research topicwise, then when you encounter a problem that you need to solve, use these steps

[scenic locust]

Saved this pic. Thank you.

[patent geyser]

It’s not the fastest way to learn all the methods, but to me it feels the most efficient with what you’re actually learning these methods for

I will say, it can sometimes be good to become aware of methods even when you don’t need them to solve a problem yet.
Simply because you might not be aware some things are problems (let alone problems are solved) until you’ve seen other people solve these

But you can be aware of other methods without actually knowing how to use them.
Like i love remote sensing, i’m aware of its existence and roughly what i could use it for. But i’ve never actually tried using it (haven’t had a need yet). But if i wasn’t aware of it’s existence i might not even be thinking about the topics which you’d use it for

But that’s more like an addendum to the main part which i think is pretty effectively encapsulated in the screenshot

[scenic locust]

So, I have started to identify a possible 2 topics of interest to me but both having the same "theme": Logistics. Topic 1 being the Logistics of Sanctioned Countries (in terms of why and how they "circumvent" such), Topic 2 being the Logistics involved in "Rogue Governments" (e.g. Myammar's Junta) involving Militias as part of it's "Military Affairs". I know these topics might seem a little "out there" but again it's "either or" but it does spark some interest.

[patent geyser]

Sounds interesting, not my field of expertise for the most part but you’re definitely not the first to look at things like that

[scenic locust]

I just gotta find folks who have done things like that.

[patent geyser]

Yup, you could probably ask around in this discord as well

[scenic locust]

Okay.

[scenic locust]

@patent geyser Who would you recommend I talk to?

[patent geyser]

Not sure honestly, just send a message in the general channel here maybe

Someone will know of someone

[scenic locust]

@patent geyser So I have decided to go with Topic no. 2 and I have written it down as a "Topic Of Interest" and I even listed my subjects and my "Why" (mainly I want to develop a, hopefully, well put together intelligence product that details what such a structure exactly looks like and what it's logistical footprint looks like).

Subjects in this case being the Junta and only 3 of it's majorly listed allies (I am not gonna include any lesser allies or a fourth one since it will complicate things).

[loud basalt]

@scenic locust check out some work about the topic made by Forensic Architecture: https://forensic-architecture.org/location/myanmar

[scenic locust]

@loud basalt Thanks.

[vague holly]

Bit late but just want to give everyone in this channel a massive props. This right here is a fantastic example of how people should generally be introduced to the topic in terms of wanting to participate in some form, and perhaps the most in depth one I've seen.
Extra credits to you @scenic locust for going in and writing out your topics of interest and the such also.

[scenic locust]

Definitely. I have had an interest in the Myanmar Conflict, as well as the intricacies of Military Logistics, for some time. Also I reckon my next phase is to start finding "Primary Sources" about The Junta in Myanmar as well as the 3 listed groups that are associated.

What I would really like to find is something analogous to a "Task Organization and Equipment" document on the structures not only of The Tatmadaw itself but also it's allies.

Maybe I will check the primary sources on Wikipedia and go from there - then try to find photos of Tatmadaw and EAO collaboration.

[vague holly]

If you want to draw out partners and how they relate too, check out Social Network Analysis, it would be helpful for cases like this.

There is also Center of Gravity Analysis if you want to assess which pieces are more central to decision making, not as intense as SNA but definitely helpful to have an SNA to back it.