CIRAT interns contribute to intelligence community through ‘Tearline’ publication

Thursday, May 15, 2025

Twelve 91��Ƭ University students have been published in “Tearline,” an open-source intelligence (OSINT) publication of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) in partnership with the National Security Innovation Network (NSIN) and other academic institutions.

“Tearline” enables students, typically from universities working with intelligence community partners, to research and publish unclassified, open-source analyses on national security topics. 91��Ƭ’s student-researchers produced an analysis of “Russia's Civil Aviation Industry: Impact of COVID-19 and Ukraine Conflict—Related Sanctions Following Feb. 24, 2022.”

The students completed the project for the NGA through an internship with 91��Ƭ’s Center for Intelligence, Research, Analysis, and Training (CIRAT). Authors include , , , , , , , , , , , and .

The study demonstrates increased activity in Russia's civil aviation industry since 2017, despite the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing international sanctions implemented following Russia's 2022 escalation of armed conflict in Ukraine. The authors’ analysis provides imagery-driven insight into the impact of those sanctions and the global pandemic by assessing the development patterns of Russian airports from 2017 to present day (2024).

“Having our students published in ‘Tearline’ is a powerful affirmation of their ability to produce high-quality, policy-relevant intelligence analysis,” said Brian Fuller, CIRAT executive director. “This project not only gave them the opportunity to contribute to the national security conversation in a real and visible way but also reflects the caliber of education and applied research training they receive at 91��Ƭ.”

“Tearline” articles focus on issues like emerging technologies, foreign military infrastructure, environmental impacts, economic trends, or geopolitical developments. The reports are often geospatially focused and use tools like satellite imagery, open data, and analytic tradecraft.

A second group of 12 CIRAT students is expected to have their analysis on another project published in “Tearline” May 26.

PHOTO: Imagery used as part of published report on Russian civil aviation.