Hi Everyone,

Welcome back! On Saturday, we explored the first part of our Arabic OSINT series - where Paolo Walcher from i-intelligence shared how language shapes perception, analysis, and intelligence. We discussed why Arabic OSINT isn’t only about geopolitics, but about learning to see differently - understanding how culture, language, and context change what we can find, verify, and understand.

Today, in Part 2, we move from reflection to practice.

Let’s look at how simple tools can unlock powerful insights and how small changes in your workflow can multiply what you discover.

Simple Tools, Big Results

OSINT doesn’t start with expensive platforms, it starts with using simple tools smartly.

• Yamli
  Yamli transliterates Arabic names into Latin script and helps connect different spelling variations, an essential step for verifying identities, tracking companies, or matching social media accounts.

• TwoLingual
  TwoLingual lets you search Google in two languages at once for example, English and Arabic helping analysts compare results, detect narrative differences, and uncover sources that translation alone would miss.

• Neshan
  Neshan is an Iranian map platform useful for Farsi-language geolocation and verifying places where Google Maps might lack local precision. It’s an excellent resource for analysts researching Iran, Afghanistan, or Persian Gulf contexts.

Anyone who understands the power of advanced searching can instantly double that power. This happens when they apply it in other languages. In today’s connected world, any answer is just a click away.

Try this Challenge

See how language changes what you find.

1. Open TwoLingual.

2. Enter any topic that interests you real estate in Poland, AI cooperation, oil trade routes, football in Saudi Arabia, or energy transition investments.

3. Then switch to Arabic and compare results.

4. Watch how new names, companies, and local media appear that don’t exist in English search results.

5. Use Yamli to test how Arabic name variations affect your search outcomes.
   It doesn’t matter which field you work in OSINT, business, research, or journalism  this simple habit changes how you see information.

6. Take any topic you know in your own language, switch to Arabic (or any other language), and just see the magic.
   Different words unlock different worlds.

Example 1: Zakopane’s Hidden Investors

Try in TwoLingual:

• “Gulf investment Zakopane”

• “Poland tourism investment”

Then switch one side to Arabic and look for new sources about tourism and hospitality projects.
You’ll find Gulf media reporting on early-stage plans for luxury resorts and real estate interest in southern Poland.

Example 2: Oil, Gas, and AI Collaboration

Try in TwoLingual:

• “Poland Gulf cooperation”

• “AI energy investment Poland”

When you switch to Arabic, you’ll uncover business and government sources highlighting Saudi - Polish AI partnerships and energy transition projects - stories that English media only later cover.

Okay, hands-on practice done - time for a real challenge!

Below you’ll find three street photos. Each includes Arabic and English text real-world material from Beirut’s everyday environment.

Your task:

1. Use OCR tools (like Google Lens or CopyFish) to extract the Arabic text.

2. Then use Yamli or TwoLingual to transliterate and search for the business names.

3. Find out what each company does and where it’s located.

4. (Optional bonus) Check whether these businesses have an online presence like a website or social profile.

💡 Tip: Pay attention to the mix of English and Arabic naming conventions - see how transliteration affects search accuracy.

If you create a writeup, send it to me - Paolo offered to review and share the solutions.
If you share your results on LinkedIn, tag both of us so we can see them!

A Note from Experience

Two years ago, I knew OSINT but nothing about Arabic. I started from scratch: learning the language, culture, and context, building skills one by one. What began as curiosity turned into expertise and now it’s my passion and success.
If I can do it, you can too.
All it takes is a plan, persistence, and the curiosity to begin. Start small. Learn a few words. Try the tools. Follow your interest ,and watch how the pieces connect. That’s where OSINT truly begins.

Understanding People, Language, and Culture

At its core, OSINT is not only about data, it’s about understanding reality through people, language, and culture.
Often, it’s not Arabic per se, but the principle of seeing through another language and perspective that matters.
That shift shows how OSINT analysts must act as linguists, cultural interpreters, investigators, and strategists ,connecting data to human context.
We may not always agree with what we find or with the perspectives we encounter, and that’s fine. But the very attempt to understand leads to smarter, more informed, and more balanced decisions. That’s what intelligence really is: doing things with more information, and doing them smarter, within a system of understanding.

Want to Learn More?

If this perspective resonates with you if you want to develop the skills to search, read, and analyse the Arabic web like an investigator..

It’s a live, interactive training built for professionals in security, business intelligence, and research who want to turn language barriers into opportunities.
We’ll explore search strategies, cultural context, and analytical frameworks that help you see the world and your data differently.

Get in touch to join the next session - [email protected]

Before We Close...

This concludes our Arabic OSINT mini-series and the final part of the i-intelligence collaboration.
Thank you for following along through all three parts — your engagement and curiosity make this project possible.

If you would like to be a guest in my newsletter, the next available slot is January 25, 2026.
Or if your company would like to collaborate, reach out to me directly by email [email protected]

See you in the next issue, November 30!