Articles

Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza and a hostage release deal. It is the most significant breakthrough in 15 months of war – with the parties struggling to come to an agreement until now. We explain the key terms of the deal and why open source monitoring of the situation remains critical.

Videos shared on social media can provide vital evidence for open source investigators, but a clampdown on filming in some conflicts has resulted in less user-generated content surfacing. CIR explores the consequences.

In partnership with CIR, Croatian researchers have uncovered indications of a pro-Kremlin disinformation campaign utilising a large bot network ahead of the presidential run-off in Croatia.

Investigators verified over 1,300 incidents in total, using digital investigation techniques to verify destruction, violence and visible casualties using footage and images shared online, satellite imagery and other types of open source material. 

Working as an open source (OSINT) investigator at CIR is both challenging and rewarding. Each day brings new opportunities to uncover, verify, and report on critical information related to human rights violations and armed conflicts.

We spoke to Sofia and Erin to find out more about their day-to-day work and how they became investigators at CIR.

Four investigators share their thoughts and experiences from the past year – providing insights into the role open source research has played in the conflict and the personal challenges they have faced.

In protests that began against job quotas and ended with the ousting of the government, footage filmed on the streets reveals a disproportionate level of violence by police officers and military personnel.

A network of fake accounts are posing as young American women and posting pro-Trump content online, but they’re hiding behind – and in some cases manipulating – the images of European fashion influencers.

Afghan Witness data shows ISKP attacks have decreased inside Afghanistan, but reports highlight an uptick in linked activities and arrests outside the country amid an intensifying multi-lingual online campaign that draws recruits from Central Asia.

When news breaks, misinformation can spread like wildfire. Stefanie Le, a senior CIR investigator based in Washington DC, discusses the attempted assassination of former US President Donald Trump, the online misinformation that surrounded it, and how to use open source methods to try to make sense of it all.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine saw forces attempt to occupy not only land but minds.

CIR examines the perpetrators behind the Moscow Crocus City Hall attack, the responses from ISKP and reactions from their supporters online.