The following series of demonstrations illustrates the efficient use of Palantir Analytic Software to analyze reconstruction projects in Afghanistan. In particular, Team Praescient utilizes relational, temporal, and geospatial elements to identify spending trends in the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Commander’s Emergency Response Program (CERP) in relation to attacks throughout Afghanistan, in particular Kandahar.
Through the integration of open-source intelligence (OSINT), Praescient analyzes existing linkages and relationships between private companies, leaders, power brokers, and key personalities associated with CERP projects and business deals in order to identify potential and/or actual investments surrounding controversy and fraud, waste, or abuse.
It is worth noting that, while this investigation demonstrates the power of detailed analysis with limited open source data, an investigation with the full data set possessed by the Department of Defense could yield countless opportunities to enhance effectiveness in the decision-making process, streamline inefficiencies, and identify weak links. In other words, help decision makers build a more efficient program.