Open-Source Intelligence and Military Intelligence

Abstract

In the information age we live in, it is seen that open-source intelligence (OSINT), which become increasingly voluminous and effective, sheds light on issues and assists to elaborate and understand them by all intelligence analysts/collectors and decision-makers. From media sources in different languages to social media platforms and online maps to reports of NGOs and diplomatic/military institutes, OSINT provides with means of obtaining intelligence in a grift and mosaic structure. Intelligence is the main driving and supporting force in the planning process of military operations. In order to exploit the sources more effectively military intelligence collection efforts should be planned and reviewed properly. Diverse and ominous environments such as hybri d war, information operations and cyberspace complicated the theatre. Therefore, it is becoming increasingly important to be able to adequately benefit from OSINT, which has the potential to meet the needs of all these environments and offers a wide range of opportunities. In this article, two main arguments are emphasized, namely that the current potential of OSINT is not adequately benefited in military intelligence and even in the areas OSINT is utilized in military intelligence it lacks appropriate meth ods and processes. The aim of the study is to demonstrate that OSINT can be a valuable discipline in the field of military intelligence if appropriate methods are applied and used in coordination with other intelligence disciplines. For this purpose, first of all the general situation of OSINT and military intelligence, its development in the historical process, the use of OSINT in military intelligence at different levels and its relationship with other intelligence tools, and finally the OSINT process, me thods and applications were examined.

Keywords

• Intelligence
• OSINT Methods
• OpenSource Intelligence
• Military Intelligence
• History of OSINT

Açık Kaynak İstihbaratı ve Askeri İstihbarat

Öz

İçerisinde bulunduğumuz bilgi çağında, etkisi ve hacmi giderek genişleyen “Açık Kaynak İstihbaratının” (AKİS) istihbarat analizcileri ve toplayıcıları ile karar vericilere büyük oranda yardım ettiği görülmektedir. Farklı dillerde yayımlanan haber kaynaklarından sosyal medya platformlarına, çevrimiçi haritalardan, sivil toplum örgütleri, diplomatik ve askeri kurumların raporlarına kadar AKİS, bize girift ve mozaik bir yapıda istihbarat sağlama imkânı sunmaktadır. İstihbarat, askerî harekâtın planlama sürecini yönlendiren ve destekleyen en önemli güçtür. Kaynakların verimli şekilde kullanılması maksadıyla askeri istihbarat sağlamada toplama gayretleri uygun şekilde planlanmalı ve her aşamada gözden geçirilmelidir. Hibrit savaş, bilgi harekâtı ve siber alan gibi çeşitli ve belirsiz ortamlar, muharebe sahasını daha karmaşık hale getirmiştir. Bütün bu ortamlara yönelik ihtiyaçları karşılama potansiyeli olan ve oldukça geniş imkânlar sunan AKİS’ten faydalanabilmek önemli hale gelmektedir. Bu makalede AKİS’in potansiyelinden askeri istihbarat alanında yeterince faydalanılmadığı ve AKİS’in askeri istihbaratta faydalanıldığı alanlarda uygun süreç ve yöntemlerden eksik olduğu olmak üzere iki önemli sav üzerinde durulmuştur. Çalışmanın amacı AKİS’in uygun metotların uygulanması ve diğer istihbarat disiplinleri ile eşgüdüm halinde kullanılması halinde askeri istihbarat alanında değerli bir disiplin olabileceğini ortaya koymaktır. Bu maksatla öncelikle AKİS ve askeri istihbaratın genel durumu, tarihsel gelişimi, AKİS’in farklı seviyelerde askeri istihbaratta kullanımı ve diğer istihbarat vasıtalarıyla ilişkisi, AKİS süreci, yöntemleri ve uygulamaları incelenmiştir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• İstihbarat
• Açık Kaynak İstihbaratı
• Askeri İstihbarat
• AKİS Tarihi
• AKİS Yöntemleri

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