OSINT has historical roots dating back to the American Civil War and has since been integrated into the intelligence community as a collection discipline. It involves a systematic approach to public sources and intelligence requirements, necessitating the triangulation of sources and methods. However, the lack of a clear theoretical foundation poses a risk, as individuals may claim to be OSINT experts without the necessary experience or expertise.

Previously confined to a limited group of military practitioners, OSINT can be controversial and subject to doubts. Given its wide applicability today, it is crucial to adhere to guidelines that ensure the accuracy of the information uncovered and the transparency of investigations.

Furthermore, it is crucial to stress that an open-source investigation is not intelligence without direction/an intelligence requirement. Open-source information can only be used as intelligence if there is a specific research question to be answered.

Evaluation of OSINT Information & Ethics

One of the most important things when conducting an OSINT investigation is evaluating the provenance of information. OSINT, by definition, is second-hand information with the additional challenge of evaluating the source and its origin and credibility. In addition, there exists a lot of misinformation online, with old material frequently being reused.

Regarding the ethics of OSINT, there are a lot of ethical guidelines (ObSINT guide, Berkeley Protocol, Bellingcat Manual etc.) but to this date, none of them have been implemented in full. OSINT investigators have recognised the need for a unified procedure of adhering to ethics when conducting investigations, as the information is often sensitive. Often, there is a discrepancy between the motivation of the goal, which may be ethical, and the methods used to achieve it, which are not – such as facial recognition.

OSINT and the War in Ukraine

The OSINT technique of geolocation has played a crucial role in the Russian invasion of Ukraine, enabling real-time observation of events in specific locations. The widespread use of social media and public involvement has further amplified this capability, bringing the conflict into a new dimension of transparency and scrutiny. Consequently, the Russian invasion of Ukraine has become the most visually documented conflict in history. This abundance of visual evidence necessitates rigorous investigation to determine whether the information has been manipulated, either by humans or AI.

From Intelligence to Evidence

Overproliferation of OSINT Groups - The More the Merrier?

There is a long-standing discussion about the recent significant increase in the number of OSINT groups. While this growth may have negative connotations, it also has the potential to professionalize and standardize OSINT investigations, ensuring transparent methodologies. However, the rapid advancement of computer technology means that legal frameworks often lag behind OSINT developments. When big corporations purchase data and leaked information is used as an OSINT tool, it raises serious legal concerns. Ultimately, the inevitable question arises: "Where and how did you obtain that data?"

Standardization and the Creation of an International Standing Mechanism

The establishment of transparent methodologies and comprehensive training for professionals across various disciplines is crucial for enhancing the credibility and effectiveness of OSINT in legal and investigative contexts. A centralized entity, potentially complementing existing OSINT groups, could standardize the certification of intelligence gatherers, ensuring adherence to international laws and criminal standards. Such an entity could also manage a repository of open-source collected material, facilitating the prosecution of war crimes and other atrocities. However, the creation of this international body would be a significant challenge due to the current political climate and the need for state consent. Nonetheless, the move towards an international repository for digital evidence is seen as a necessary, albeit slow, process.

Is Expert Evidence Crucial?

The analysis of digital evidence in OSINT requires high levels of technical expertise. The digital nature of the evidence, such as satellite images, photos, videos, and audio, necessitates the involvement of certified forensic experts to ensure the reliability and proper interpretation of data. Both defense and prosecution must possess adequate knowledge to maintain equality in legal proceedings. Practical recommendations for organizations include justifying expertise, maintaining transparency, and ensuring a proper chain of custody for evidence. Neutrality and adherence to specific expertise are crucial for credibility. However, the use of digital evidence can be complicated by state secrecy and the power dynamics of technological advancements, as seen in instances where vital information is withheld.

“User-Generated” vs. “Digitally Derived” Evidence

For effective OSINT methodology, it is essential to establish clarity in terminology. Whether dealing with user-generated content (photos, videos, audio) or digitally derived evidence (including both born-digital and digitized materials), it is crucial to define and differentiate these terms clearly. Open-source information, while publicly available, often requires a nuanced understanding of authorship and liability, as metadata may be incomplete or unverifiable. Despite the lack of standard terminology in international treaties, the field is evolving, and collaboration with other intelligence disciplines is vital for comprehensive investigations. Digital evidence often requires corroboration from other sources to be deemed reliable, highlighting the importance of maintaining high standards and addressing privacy implications in the use of such data.

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Despite siding with perpetrators of human rights violations, his controversial image helped launch his broadcasting career. Cementing his name as a firebrand and political establishment outsider, Galloway gained a prominent platform with his TalkRadio show The Mother of All Talk Shows, which aired from 2006 to 2010. He again hosted the show from 2016 to 2019, when he was dismissed over an alleged antisemitic tweet.

He has since moved the show to social media platforms such as YouTube, Twitter, and Rumble. Perhaps unsurprisingly, his frequent anti-establishment stance and discussion of pro-Kremlin topics secured him employment by Kremlin-backed news outlets Sputnik and Russia Today from 2013 to 2022. During this period, he was also a presenter on Iranian-funded Press TV and made numerous appearances on Lebanon’s Al-Mayadeen.

Today, his unprecedented popularity – arguably a reaction to perceived blind spots in the British political establishment’s policy towards Israel and Palestine – has given him a significant platform to inject pro-Russian narratives into British political discourse.

Galloway’s Election

Despite his dubious past, Galloway has made a surprising return to British politics. Representing the Workers Party of Great Britain, he recently won a seat in the 2024 Rochdale by-election with 39.7% of the vote, taking a previously Labour council seat who received 7.7% of the vote, which represents a decrease of 43.9% in voter share. This success is part of a recent trend involving the Workers Party, whose members captured several council seats previously held by Labour in recent by-elections. These included one seat in Rochdale, Manchester and another in Calderdale. This notable rise in support for what many would deem to be a fringe party suggests a transforming democratic landscape.

Rochdale presents a constituency with a high population of immigrants, Muslim people, and inhabitants from minority ethnic backgrounds. While ethnic minority groups are reported as predominantly siding with Labour, this victory in Rochdale suggests a shift in the political inclinations of such groups. At large, voter intention toward Labour waned from 27 September 2023 to 25 June 2024 (45–36%). For 18 to 24-year-olds, there was an even more marked shift, from 27 September 2023 to 25 June 2024 (69–34%). Moreover, the public implied that their trust in Labour’s leader Keir Starmer decreased over the last several months. On 2 October 2022, it was noted that 36% of all adults believed that Starmer was performing badly as Labour’s leader, while this climbed to 45% on 17 June 2024. Why is it that groups and areas that have historically been captured by Labour are suddenly making a turn to alternative parties?

It is difficult to ignore the backdrop of the war in Gaza as bolstering the Workers Party’s recent successes; both the Conservatives and Labour have been reluctant to call for a ceasefire in Gaza. Keir Starmer has also been accused of stating that Israel has the right to cut off power and water in Gaza in an interview in October 2023 with LBC presenter Nick Ferrari, which caused several Labour representatives to resign.

Such events worked directly into Galloway’s favour. At the time, he was one of very few British politicians who had openly condemned the actions of the Israeli state. He also canvassed heavily on this issue prior to his Rochdale win. With masterful oratory skills and an outspoken stance on Gaza, Galloway captured the interests of the population by appealing to topics of high importance for the British Muslim community and the politically disillusioned.

However, this comes with significant consequences regarding the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Galloway’s recent publicity has presented an opportunity to reach a new base of voters, those who are perhaps unfamiliar with his chequered history and more sinister beliefs. To those unfamiliar with his work, he appears as a staunch anti-imperialist who defends the interests of the working class. This cultivated image enables him to inject pro-Russian narratives into public discourse.

Upon arriving at the Workers Party’s “About” page, the reader is met with a lengthy section concerning foreign policy, explicitly stating their anti-imperialist stance:

We seek amity not enmity with the rest of the world. The populist Right and the major parties objectively serve imperialism […] Foreign adventurism and political grandstanding have drained the country of the funds and energy required to deal with serious problems in our social and economic infrastructure, in public services and in maintaining a sense of security in our communities […] Labour and Tory alike, support imperialism.

However, scratching beneath the surface of his present public persona reveals a deep hypocrisy at the heart of this personal and party image. Below these statements is a section detailing the party’s socialist stance. Within this, they explicitly state that the party “[…] stands with all those that have attempted to break free of imperialist domination and build a different kind of world. We defend the achievements of the USSR, China, Cuba etc […] We shall defend the positive historical legacy of the Soviet Union as well as all those today who struggle for socialism; for an alternative world order”. Whilst posturing himself and his party as ardent advocates of anti-imperialism, they are simultaneously turning a blind eye to the brutal imperialist legacy of the Soviet Union.

This legacy continues to this day, with Russia’s foreign policy and most recent invasion of Ukraine serving as harsh reminders of its persistent imperialistic character. Yet in the name of supposed “anti-imperialism”, Galloway has been keen to defend the actions of Russia, both past and present.

Integral to Galloway and his party’s defence of the Russian invasion of Ukraine is parroting the Kremlin narratives concerning the historical legacy that resulted in the invasion and their recent foreign policy. As seen in the Tweet below, Galloway’s party often characterises the invasion of Ukraine as NATO’s war, additionally claiming that acts supporting the defence of Ukraine are provocative toward Russia.

Numerous Workers Party members also echo such claims. Craig Murray, ex-British ambassador to Uzbekistan and now Workers Party’s nominee for the Blackburn seat, has explicitly stated that Russia is justified in its invasion of Ukraine. In a blog post from February 2024, Murray states that although the invasion is illegal, it is not only justified but morally viable in his perspective.

Murray proceeds to list numerous “moral justifications” for the invasion, such as the supposed Western (NATO) sponsoring of “mass ethnic cleansing and genocidal attack on the Donbass by extreme Ukrainian nationalist-led, Western-armed forces”. Moreover, he calls the 2014 Maidan Revolution a coup. Galloway has repeated these claims in the Tweets below from November 2022 and April 2024.

These arguments help apply a reverse logic to the invasion, which mirrors the Kremlin. It defines Russia’s invasion of Ukraine itself as a battle against the imperialist forces of NATO and “the West”. This rationale is promoted by the party itself, which sells supporters pamphlets that refer to the invasion as a “Special Military Operation”.

Galloway often frames Western resistance toward the invasion as an imposing desire of a political elite, blind to the needs of their electorate. In attending to this aim, he is not hesitant in disseminating disinformation, which can be seen in the Tweet below from May 2024:

This Tweet references a statement of the Chief of the General Staff Gen. Patrick Sanders, who suggested that preparing for a potential land war would have to be a “whole-of-nation” undertaking. He praised European nations closer to Russia for “already acting prudently, laying the foundations for national mobilization”. Subsequently, the UK government swiftly denied the possibility of introducing a conscription policy.

Besides historical revisionism, Galloway frequently appeals to the financial hardships of many UK citizens during the years of Conservative austerity and the cost-of-living crisis, which was in part caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. His rhetoric exploits the electorate’s economic hardships to garner distrust within the factual credibility of the current government’s statements and actions. Galloway often suggests that the British electorate’s suffering is in part due to government aid packages for Ukraine, which can be seen in the tweets below from September 2022 and March 2024.

Such open concern for the economic welfare of his constituents and country may entice disillusioned Labour voters to support the Workers Party. However, this conveniently serves another underlying purpose. Alongside his economic concerns, Galloway and his party frequently create posts containing disinformation that align with Kremlin-propagated narratives. For example, this post from September 2022 utilises the claim that referenda held in the occupied territories of Ukraine are legitimate, signifying an alignment with Russia and thus delegitimising Western support of Ukraine.

Other posts by Galloway make no effort to demonstrate concern for the British electorate. For instance, Galloway claims that Western governments were behind the Crocus City Hall Attack in this tweet below from March 2024, despite substantial evidence pointing suggesting this atrocity was committed by ISIS-K.

Why Does This Matter?

In failing to acknowledge or address the genuine concerns of the British electorate, mainstream parties have consequently alienated large portions of their typical electoral bases. Conservative austerity measures, inflation, and wage stagnation have left many lower-income communities disillusioned. Labour’s lacklustre engagement with its typical demographic and failure to back a ceasefire in Gaza have left others feeling betrayed and unrepresented. Moreover, Galloway’s economic promises and stance on Gaza has convinced many that their voices are represented through the Workers Party. Unfortunately, this has granted him a platform to share his more nefarious views of society and politics.

This is not an isolated instance. Various actors gained prominence by critiquing their government’s stances on Gaza. As a result, their posts are often widely shared without regard for what other views they have adopted. Notably, the American political activist Jackson Hinkle recently gained online traction with his vocal critique of both US and Israeli governments.

Hinkle, for example, was a prominent supporter of the MAGA Communism movement in addition to vocally supporting the Kremlin. Furthermore, he frequently posts disinformation concerning Gaza and Ukraine, which caused numerous social media platforms to ban his account. On 1 November 2023, he shared footage claiming it displayed Israel bombing Al-Sadaqa Hospital in Gaza. Bellingcat later uncovered this footage was in fact an excerpt from a video that shows the bombing of the Omar Bin Abdul Aziz Hospital in Aleppo, Syria. This attack occurred during an escalation of bombing raids by Syrian regime forces and their Russian allies in 2016. With over 2.6 million followers, his influence and views have potentially far-reaching consequences.

Of notable interest here is which media outlets pick up on their commentaries. In numerous instances, Russian and Iranian state media have cited Galloway’s remarks, which are very similar to Hinkle’s,suggesting that their rhetoric benefits Kremlin aims. While the voices of these lone actors may be dismissed as fringe and limited in their impact, they conform to what appears to be a concerted effort of Kremlin-backed media to destabilise the European and US democratic space. Outlets linked to the Kremlin have also been keen to seize the Israel–Gaza conflict as an opportunity to demonstrate the imperialistic nature of Western governments. This helps justify and legitimise Kremlin actions, such as the invasion of Ukraine, as a battle against globalist and imperialist forces of NATO-aligned governments.

Conclusion

Populist figures such as Galloway often paint a one-sided picture of current affairs. With the recent rise of right-wing populism in Europe, immigration is commonly mislabeled as the cause of the diminished economic resources of the state and its electorate. However, we are also witnessing an alteration of this narrative. Whilst populist figures remain eager to exploit the economic burdens of the British public for electoral gain, certain figures of the far-left, such as Galloway and members of his party, take an alternative route to do so.

Often citing anti-imperialism as their cause, they are openly critical of Western government’s failures to adequately address the ongoing conflict in Gaza. A worrying trend within this critique is how often such figures cite the conflict in Ukraine as an example of the hypocrisy of Western governments’ in their response to global conflicts. According to such narratives, this hypocrisy lies in Western governments’ passive stance toward the Israel–Gaza conflict, whilst granting support to Ukraine amidst its invasion by Russia. As such, the Ukrainian conflict is painted as an imperialist conflict, though one in which Russia is fighting against the threat of Western imperialism in the form of NATO expansionism.

This framing paves the way for more problematic narratives to proliferate, such as Ukraine being a “puppet state” of NATO states, who have been waging a provocative war of aggression against the “anti-imperialist” forces of Russia. Western support of Ukraine is subsequently conveyed not only as imperialistic in nature, but as motivated by western political elites’ desire for economic gain at the expense of their electorate’s safety and economic security.

Ultimately, the increasing traction of such narratives is a genuine consequence of how mainstream political parties address the economic and political concerns of the electorate. These failures sow seeds of distrust within the electorate regarding establishment politics. Consequently, many have sought alternative voices who they believe better represent their interests.

Whilst capturing the public imagination, populists such as Galloway are simultaneously injecting narratives that paint a distorted image of the world. Such narratives, as laid out above, often lay the ground for and have their origin in Kremlin rationale. The proliferation of these narratives may not be directly credited to the Kremlin, but it certainly conveniently serves its interests.

Galloway and his party’s recent success and increased presence exemplify the far-reaching contamination of Western politics with Russian political influence, with both the far-right and far-left adopting Kremlin narratives.

Lucas Tonks
Lucas is a writer and researcher whose work largely focuses on the intersection of technology, e-media, and politics.

From Theory to Intelligence to Evidence