Inside the IC Former officials debate OSINT in the IC
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Jul 8, 2025 
In this discussion, guests David Gauthier, Ellen McCarthy, Chip Usher, and Eliot Jardines—experts in open-source intelligence (OSINT)—examine the complexities of integrating OSINT into the intelligence community. Gauthier advocates for a dedicated open-source agency to enhance decision-making. McCarthy shares insights on evolving OSINT practices and the importance of trained analysts. Usher highlights real-world examples showcasing OSINT's value, while Jardines discusses the need for professional standards. The panel debates operational challenges and the future of OSINT in a digitized intelligence landscape.
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IC Lagged In Open-Source Processing
- The IC has lagged private sector in processing, tagging, and verifying the explosion of publicly available information.
- Ellen McCarthy argues this gap undermines timely value to policymakers and warfighters.
PAI Is Not The Same As OSINT
- OSINT is distinct from raw publicly available information and requires tradecraft and processing to become intelligence.
- Eliot Jardines stresses PAI is an ingredient, while OSINT is the finished analytic product.
Social Media Drove Real-Time Breakthroughs
- Chip Usher recalled the Arab Spring where analysts had to leave secure networks to scan social media for on-the-ground developments.
- He also cited the 2014 Russia-Ukraine task force using social media to track Russian force dispositions quickly.