MIDDLE EAST INTERNET | The Investigator

Searching the Middle East Internet using Open-Source Techniques, 30 September 2026

This exclusive workshop provides a structured introduction to the Middle Eastern internet, with a particular focus on Arabic-language online environments, regional platforms, and digital behaviours.

It offers practical guidance on how to overcome linguistic and cultural barriers to conduct effective investigations using Open-Source Intelligence techniques.

The session is designed for investigators and analysts who want to develop their capabilities in navigating the Arabic web, as well as those with prior experience seeking to refine and strengthen their methodology.

Held online via Teams
Certificates of CPD available

Aims/Objectives

Mapping the Arabic Internet: Provide a clear overview of the Middle Eastern digital ecosystem, including regional platforms, media, and online communities.

Linguistic Adaptation: Enable participants to work with Arabic script, transliteration (Arabizi), and dialects versus Modern Standard Arabic.

Search Methodology: Develop effective approaches to discovering and exploiting Arabic-language sources.

Contextual Analysis: Introduce cultural, environmental, and regional indicators to improve analytical accuracy.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

Navigate the Arabic Ecosystem: Identify key platforms, sources, and online environments across the region.

Apply Arabic Search Techniques: Use Arabic keywords, transliteration, and translation tools to improve search precision.

Investigate Individuals and Networks: Understand naming conventions and locate individuals across platforms.

Apply Geolocation and Context: Use visual and cultural indicators to interpret online content more effectively.

AGENDA - BST

9.20am–9.30am: Welcome and introduction, Carol Jenkins, The Investigator

9.30am–10.30am: Session One: Understanding the Middle East Internet
• Introduction to the Arabic web and regional digital ecosystems
• Arabic alphabet and script basics
• Transliteration (Arabizi) and dialects vs Modern Standard Arabic
• Key social media platforms and regional websites

10.30am–10.40am: Questions
10.40am–11am: Break

11am–12pm: Session Two: Searching Arabic Sources
• Discovering Arabic keywords and transliteration searches
• Search engines and basic operators
• Translation tools and OCR
• Finding Arabic news, media, and niche sources

12pm–12.10pm: Questions
12.10pm–12.30pm: Break

12.30pm–1.30pm: Session Three: Investigating People and Networks
• Arabic naming conventions and nicknames
• Finding social media accounts
• Phone numbers and email patterns
• Basic network discovery techniques

1.30pm–1.40pm: Questions
1.40pm–1.50pm: Break

1.50pm–2.50pm: Session Four: Geolocation and Regional Context
• Geolocation using visual clues
• Architecture, environment, and cultural indicators
• Understanding regional context in online content
• Short practical exercise

2.50pm–3pm: Questions
3pm: workshop finishes

Our expert speaker

Paolo Walcher has worked as a strategic intelligence analyst and OSINT specialist across corporate, governmental, and law enforcement environments.

His expertise focuses on language-enabled OSINT, with a particular emphasis on Arabic-language investigations and navigating complex non-Western digital ecosystems. He integrates linguistic, cultural, and regional understanding into intelligence processes to enable more effective analysis and decision-making.

Paolo has delivered training and analytical support internationally, covering areas such as geopolitical risk, counterterrorism, conflict monitoring, and security business intelligence. He holds an MSc in Crisis and Security Management from Leiden University and has professional experience with BMW Group Security and Bellingcat.

HOW TO BOOK

Cost: £249 + VAT (GBP) per delegate per workshop (LEA and Government Agency rate). £299 + VAT (Industry rate), per delegate

Group bookings: We offer various discounts for group bookings depending on numbers, please contact us for details.

Booking: Please send the delegates name(s), email address(es) and purchase order (made out to The Investigator) to booking@the-investigator.co.uk or telephone +44(0)844 660 8707 for further information.

Payment can be made by PayPal/debit/credit card. The meeting link will be sent out 7 days before the event.