field notes

beyond traditional intelligence: social networks, self-owned satellites & shaping intelligence

The intelligence collection landscape is experiencing a profound transformation, driven by the democratization of open-source intelligence (OSINT) and the proliferation of advanced consumer technologies. These interconnected developments empower informed individuals to contribute directly to intelligence operations.

Today, OSINT is central to the intelligence cycle, widely integrated into the workflows of both government and non-governmental actors. Modern technological evolutions like synthetic aperture radar (SAR) have further refined capabilities, enabling remarkably clear imagery with resolutions of less than one meter.

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