The World of Intelligence

In this episode of The World of Intelligence, I engage with Luke Chabrol, Deputy Director of the Mad Scientist Initiative at the US Army, to explore innovative approaches to anticipating future challenges in warfare. We delve into the origins of the Mad Scientist Initiative, which aims to transform military thinking by incorporating diverse perspectives from outside traditional defense circles. Lu...

In this episode of The World of Intelligence, I dive deep into the evolving landscape of state and non-state actors with Sean Corbett, a former Royal Air Force senior intelligence officer and current co-chair of the Senior Advisory Group for Janes. We explore the increasingly blurred lines between these two categories, particularly in light of recent geopolitical shifts involving nations like Chin...

In this episode of The World of Intelligence, I sit down with Cynthia Hetherington, an esteemed expert in open source intelligence (OSINT) and the founder of The Hetherington Group. We delve into the complexities of OSINT, exploring the evolution of information gathering from the librarian's perspective to the modern digital landscape. Cynthia shares insights on the ethical responsibilities of OSI...

In this episode of The World of Intelligence, I delve into the intricate world of wargaming with expert Tate Nurkin. As the founder of OTH Intelligence and a non-resident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, Tate brings a wealth of experience in using wargames to anticipate and strategize for future scenarios. We explore the evolution of wargaming, its significance in intelligence and decision-m...

In this episode of The World of Intelligence, I sit down with Mina al-Lami, the head of the BBC Monitoring's Jihadist Media Team, to delve into the evolving landscape of jihadist online media. Mina shares her unique insights into how jihadist groups have adapted their communication strategies from early forums to the current dominance of platforms like Telegram. We discuss the implications of onli...

In this inaugural episode of The World of Intelligence, host Harry Kempsey engages with Sean Corbett, a former Royal Air Force intelligence officer, to explore the intricate dynamics between classified and unclassified intelligence. They delve into the challenges of discerning truth in an era flooded with information, emphasizing the growing importance of open-source intelligence. As they unpack t...

In this episode of The World of Intelligence, I dive deep into the complex world of the incel community with investigative journalist Naama Kates. We explore the defining characteristics of this predominantly male group, their unique lexicon, and the psychological underpinnings that shape their beliefs. Naama shares insights from her podcast, "Incel," detailing how these individuals view romantic...

In this episode of The World of Intelligence, I am joined by Nilda Garcia, a professor at Texas A&M International University, to explore the complex landscape of Mexico's drug war. Nilda shares her insights on the evolution of organized crime, emphasizing the shift from traditional cartels to more violent and aggressive factions like the Zetas and the Cartel Jalisco New Generation. We discuss the...

How can defence departments and militaries better prepare for the next war? This question cuts to the heart of current challenges in improving defence technology and intelligence and how government procurement needs to adapt to deliver timely, user-driven, innovation. Terry Pattar and Davey Gibian of Janes are joined by Tyler Sweatt, Vice President for Mission Integration at Second Front Systems,...

In this episode of The World of Intelligence, I have the privilege of speaking with Sir David Omand, a former director of GCHQ, about his insightful book, How Spies Think. Sir David delves into the critical importance of analytical thinking within the intelligence community, particularly in light of recent global events like Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic. He introduces the SEES model, emphasizi...

In this episode of The World of Intelligence, I speak with Chad Peltier from Jane's Intelligence Unit about his recent research into China's expeditionary capabilities. Chad shares insights from his briefing to the China-U.S. Economic Security Commission, where he explored China's military logistics and potential overseas bases. We delve into the challenges of analyzing open-source intelligence on...

In this episode of The World of Intelligence, I delve into the theme of innovation with my colleagues, Kyle McGrorty and our new head of innovation, Davey Gideon. Together, we explore the evolving landscape of innovation in intelligence, especially in the wake of the pandemic. Davey shares his extensive background at the intersection of technology and national security, emphasizing the challenges...

In this episode of The World of Intelligence, I am joined by financial investigator Robert Maxwell to explore the evolving landscape of Financial Intelligence (FININT). We delve into the intersection of finance and open source intelligence, discussing how Robert transitioned from a successful career as a fund manager to becoming an expert in OSINT techniques, particularly in combating financial cr...

In this episode of The World of Intelligence, I engage with David Rundell, a former US diplomat with extensive experience in Saudi Arabia. We delve into the complexities of researching Saudi Arabia, a nation often perceived as opaque. David shares insights from his three decades in diplomacy, detailing how information access has evolved, particularly in light of the significant social and economic...

In this episode of The World of Intelligence, I sit down with Nick Waters from Bellingcat to dissect the Beirut port explosion, a catastrophic event that garnered global attention. Nick shares his journey from military officer to open-source intelligence analyst and explains how his background aids in geolocation and analysis of explosive events. We delve into the chaos following the explosion, as...

In this episode of The World of Intelligence, I engage with Alison Killing, an architect and investigative researcher, who recently uncovered the extensive network of Uighur internment camps in China's Xinjiang province. Alison shares her journey from architecture to digital storytelling, emphasizing the crucial role of satellite imagery in her investigation. We explore how she and her colleague,...

In this episode of The World of Intelligence, I engage with Evanna Hu, CEO of Omelas, to explore the intricate landscape of open-source intelligence (OSINT), disinformation, and the pressing ethical challenges that arise in our digital age. We delve into the evolution of information warfare, examining the transition from non-state to state actors and the complexities of tracking their messaging st...

In this episode of The World of Intelligence, I am joined by my colleagues Terry Patter, Kyle McGrorty, and Colm Phillips as we dive into the latest developments in the Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) landscape. We discuss Colm's role in managing the OSINT Tearlines newsletter, which offers valuable insights to our 10,000 subscribers. We explore the evolving challenges of misinformation and disin...

In this episode of The World of Intelligence, I sit down with John Gray, a leading expert in misinformation, disinformation, and influence operations. We delve into his extensive experience tracking hostile state actors' activities, especially in the wake of the 2016 U.S. presidential election, which sparked his deep dive into the world of disinformation. John shares insights about his tool, Menti...

In this episode of The World of Intelligence, I engage with Cindy Otis, vice president at the Alethea Group and an expert on disinformation. We delve into how disinformation is increasingly threatening national security and intelligence operations globally. Cindy shares insights from her extensive career, including her time at the CIA, and discusses her upcoming book, True or False, which aims to...

In this episode of The World of Intelligence, join me, Terry Pattar, as I engage with disinformation expert Samantha North. We delve into the critical impact of misinformation and disinformation on society, exploring her extensive research on online tribalism, particularly in the context of Brexit. Samantha shares her experiences with the Global Disinformation Index and discusses the evolving natu...

In this episode of The World of Intelligence, I engage with Judy King, the editorial director at BBC Monitoring, to explore the evolving landscape of open-source intelligence and the challenges posed by the changing information environment. Judy shares her extensive experience at BBC Monitoring, highlighting how media platforms have shifted dramatically over the past two decades. We delve into the...

In this episode of The World of Intelligence, I speak with Dr. Martha Whitesmith, a research fellow at King's College London, about the intricacies of structured analysis techniques, specifically focusing on the Analysis of Competing Hypotheses (ACH) and its relationship with open-source intelligence (OSINT). Dr. Whitesmith shares insights from her research on cognitive biases that affect intellig...

In this episode of The World of Intelligence, I engage with Dr. David Kilcullen, a prominent strategist and author, to explore the evolving landscape of global threats. We discuss how recent geopolitical shifts, particularly those involving Russia and China, reflect a profound adaptation in their military strategies and capabilities. Dr. Kilcullen highlights the West's previous focus on counter-te...

In this episode of The World of Intelligence, I engage with Air Vice Marshal Sean Corbett and Harry Kemsley from Janes as we delve into the vital role of Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) in government decision-making, particularly in the context of public safety. We discuss the challenges and importance of delivering timely and accurate information to commanders, emphasizing the necessity of OSINT...