In this episode, Qais Alamdar and Alice Echtermann explore the pressing issue of disinformation, particularly in the context of Germany. They discuss the evolving landscape of misinformation, the challenges faced by fact-checkers, and the role of technology, especially AI, in exacerbating these issues. Alice shares insights from her work in investigating scams related to humanitarian crises, emphasizing the need for media literacy and the shared responsibility of platforms, journalists, and the public in combating disinformation. The conversation highlights the emotional toll of fact-checking and the importance of critical thinking in the digital age.

00:00 The Impact of Disinformation

03:16 Awareness vs. Capability in Spotting Disinformation

06:00 Emerging Threats in the Age of AI

10:15 Challenges in Fact-Checking Today

11:24 Shared Responsibility in Information Dissemination

14:15 Strengthening Media Literacy and Journalism

16:31 Investigating the Gaza Donation Scam

20:23 The Complexity of Humanitarian Scams

25:03 Identifying Red Flags in Donations

28:12 Balancing Empathy with Verification

32:37 Teaching Media Literacy to Younger Audiences

In this episode of the Intelligence Spotlight, host Qais Alamdar and guest Daniel Iriarte discuss the complexities of modern warfare, focusing on cognitive warfare and the manipulation of information. They discuss how the battlefield has shifted from physical confrontations to the realm of perception and belief, emphasizing the role of disinformation and propaganda in shaping public opinion. The discussion highlights the emotional impact of misinformation, the rise of AI in creating deepfakes, and the importance of education and awareness in combating these challenges. They also explore the responsibilities of newsrooms in crisis situations and the philosophical implications of truth in the age of disinformation.

00:00 The Evolution of Warfare: From Steel to Signals

02:43 Cognitive Warfare: The New Battlefield

05:15 Understanding Cognitive Walls and Their Impact

07:42 The Shift from Propaganda to Cognitive Warfare

10:28 The Role of Emotion in Information Warfare

13:17 Perception vs. Reality: The Power of Belief

15:44 The Psychological Toll of Analyzing Disinformation

18:39 The Future of Disinformation: AI and Deepfakes

22:41 The Impact of Disinformation in Politics

24:47 Artificial Intelligence and Micro-Targeting

27:16 Public Awareness and Adaptation to Disinformation

29:49 The Speed of Information and Misinformation

34:25 Educational Approaches to Combat Disinformation

37:04 Navigating Deep Fakes in Journalism

42:48 The Nature of Truth and Conspiracy Theories

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In this episode, host Qais Alamdar talks with Shay Maman, a senior intelligence researcher, about the hidden parts of the internet, including the deep web and dark web. Shay shares his journey into cybersecurity, the unexpected faces behind cybercrime, and the tactics used for online radicalization. The discussion also covers the resilience of illicit online markets and the importance of open-source intelligence (OSINT) and human intelligence in combating these threats. Shay emphasizes the need for internet safety and awareness, especially among vulnerable populations like teenagers.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Intelligence and Cybersecurity02:57 Shai Mammon's Journey into Cyber Intelligence05:26 Understanding Penetration Testing07:58 Exploring the Deep Web and Dark Web10:28 The Nature of Hidden Online Spaces13:03 Profiles of Individuals in the Dark Web15:07 The Reality of Online Criminals17:39 Online Recruitment and Radicalization19:29 The Role of Social Media in Extremism19:48 The Influence of Propaganda on Youth22:21 Understanding Radicalization and Lone Wolf Attacks24:22 The Role of Algorithms in Radicalization26:29 The Resilience of Illicit Markets29:49 The Intersection of OSINT and Human Intelligence32:53 Case Studies in Cybercrime and Mistakes of Perpetrators36:28 Navigating the Internet Safely

In this conversation, Sohan DSouza discusses the evolving landscape of information warfare, the role of AI in misinformation, and the importance of human oversight in open-source intelligence (OSINT). He emphasizes the need for media and AI literacy, the challenges posed by automated systems, and the future norms that investigative journalists should adopt. Sohan also highlights the complexities of the digital asset market and the tactics used in misinformation campaigns, including the concept of misinformation about misinformation.

00:00 Introduction to Sohan DSouza and His Work

02:10 Defining Information Warfare

04:34 The Role of AI in Information Warfare

07:17 Detecting Inauthentic Behavior in 2025

10:04 The Importance of OSINT Methodologies

12:47 Human Oversight in Automated Investigations

15:20 Ethical Considerations in AI and OSINT

17:50 Evaluating AI-Generated Reports

20:37 Future of Information Warfare and AI

22:52 The Need for Collaboration in Investigations

25:24 Emerging Trends in AI and OSINT

27:59 Case Studies and Lessons Learned

30:23 Skills for New Analysts

32:54 Looking Ahead: The Next Five Years

35:27 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Note: We operate with no funding and completely voluntarily. If you can support us in any way or volunteer with us, please reach out at: intelfocus@protonmail.com

In this episode of the Intelligence Spotlight, investigative journalist Lynzy Billing discusses her journey into journalism, the challenges of gaining trust in war-torn regions, and the emotional toll of reporting on traumatic events. She emphasises the importance of balancing data with human stories, the environmental impact of war, and the misconceptions surrounding investigative journalism. Lynzy also offers advice for aspiring journalists, highlighting the need for curiosity and persistence in uncovering the truth.

Note: We operate with no funding and completely voluntarily. If you can support us in any way or volunteer with us, please reach out at: intelfocus@protonmail.com

In this episode of the Intelligence Spotlight Series, Qais Alamdar interviews Sarah Cammarata, a senior intelligence analyst and OSINT specialist. They discuss Sarah's transition from journalism to intelligence analysis, the application of open-source techniques in financial investigations, and the challenges of investigating gender-based online abuse. The conversation also explores the evolution of hate speech on social media, recent investigations into Telegram groups, and the importance of mental health in investigative work. Sarah emphasizes the need for self-care in this demanding field and shares insights on the role of AI in future investigations.

In this episode of the Intelligence Spotlight series, Jenna Dolecek delves into the evolving landscape of open source intelligence (OSINT) and its growing relevance in human rights investigations. Drawing on over a decade of experience, she reflects on the ethical dilemmas, the influence of artificial intelligence, and widespread misconceptions that continue to shape the field. Jenna joins Qais Alamdar in a wide-ranging conversation that explores the discipline’s demands — from the emotional toll of secondary trauma to the practical realities of verifying content in complex environments.

Together, they unpack the balance between speed and accuracy, the pitfalls of bias, and the quiet power of patience in OSINT work. From the misuse of terminology to the critical role of tools like reverse image search, this episode offers both a sharp critique and a grounded look at the investigative process, including the often-ignored crisis of missing Indigenous people in North America and the urgent need for support systems for those on the frontlines of digital investigations.

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Open Source Intelligence and Jena Dolecek

03:07 The Role of OSINT in Legal Accountability

05:58 Ethics in Open Source Investigations

08:50 Navigating Trauma in Investigative Work

11:48 AI's Impact on OSINT

14:56 Misconceptions in Open Source Intelligence

17:59 Terminology and Definitions in OSINT

25:16 The Importance of Patience and Credibility in Investigations

26:10 Balancing Speed and Accuracy in Open Source Investigations

30:07 Understanding Bias and Its Impact on Investigative Work

32:30 Underrated Tools in OSINT: The Power of Reverse Image Search

37:20 Addressing the Epidemic of Missing Indigenous People

41:02 The Significance of Secondary Trauma Awareness

Note: We operate with no funding and completely voluntarily. If you can support us in any way or volunteer with us, please reach out at: intelfocus@protonmail.com

In this episode of the Intelligence Spotlight series, Qais Alamdar and Alicia Alamillos delve into the complexities of conflict reporting. They discuss the critical role of journalists in war zones, the ethical dilemmas they face, and the importance of storytelling in conveying the human experience of conflict. Alicia shares her personal experiences from the field, highlighting the challenges of navigating disinformation and the impact of her field experience on her editorial decisions. The conversation also touches on the evolving landscape of journalism and offers valuable advice for aspiring journalists.

Chapters

00:00 The Reality of Conflict Reporting

03:34 Alicia Alamillos: A Journey Through Conflict Zones

08:38 The Importance of Context in Storytelling

11:51 Ethical Dilemmas in Conflict Journalism

18:08 Navigating Disinformation and Propaganda

21:00 The Crisis of Trust in Journalism

24:04 Challenges of Reporting in Conflict Zones

26:46 The Role of OSINT in Modern Journalism

28:37 Field Experience Shaping Editorial Decisions

35:18 Navigating the Future of Journalism