Recent analysis

Programs

The Atlantic Council Technology Programs comprises five existing efforts—the Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab), the GeoTech Center, the Cyber Statecraft Initiative, the Democracy + Tech Initiative, and the Capacity Building Initiative. These operations work together to address the geopolitical implications of technology and provide policymakers and global stakeholders necessary research, insights, and convenings to address challenges around global technology and ensure its responsible advancement.

Content

Map of the global south in which China uses discourse power.

Report

Apr 20, 2022

China’s discourse power operations in the Global South

By Kenton Thibaut

An overview of China’s discourse power activities in the Global South, including the regions of Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. It outlines the processes through which China leverages its diplomatic, media, and political positions in these regions to gain influence, and assesses the impacts of these activities for democratic resilience worldwide.

Africa China

UkraineAlert

Apr 18, 2022

Putin’s Generation Z: Kremlin pro-war propaganda targets young Russians

By Doug Klain

The wave of fanaticism unleashed by the invasion of Ukraine is creating a new generation of radicalized young Russians who embrace the toxic brand of militarism and extreme nationalism promoted by the Kremlin.

Conflict Disinformation
Secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council Oleksiy Danilov addresses the media in Kyiv, Ukraine February 23, 2022.

New Atlanticist

Apr 18, 2022

Russian War Report: Russia falsely accuses Ukraine of provoking conflict even after it knew war was coming

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

Russia has rehashed several old narratives in their continued attempts to justify the war in Ukraine including misrepresented statements from Ukrainian officials.

Belarus Disinformation

UkraineAlert

Apr 17, 2022

How Putin’s Russia embraced fascism while preaching anti-fascism

By Taras Kuzio

Vladimir Putin poses as an "anti-fascist" leader engaged in the noble task of “de-Nazifying” Ukraine, but in reality it is Putin's increasingly fascist Russia that is in urgent need of “de-Nazification,” writes Taras Kuzio.

Civil Society Conflict
A sailor looks at the Russian missile cruiser Moskva moored in the Ukrainian Black Sea port of Sevastopol, Ukraine 10, 2013. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo

New Atlanticist

Apr 15, 2022

Russian War Report: Competing narratives about the sinking of Russia’s Moskva warship

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

Following Ukraine's alleged sinking of Russia's Moskva warship just off the coast of Odesa, the Kremlin's narrative as to why has continued to shift.

Defense Technologies Disinformation

In the News

Apr 14, 2022

Grieco in Inkstick: Discussing the shades of gray within conflicts

By Atlantic Council

On April 14, Kelly Grieco was featured in Inkstick’s Adults in a Room series on the topic of gray zone conflict.    “Before Feb. 24, 2022, Russia had earned a reputation in the West as a master of the so-called gray zone for its activities in Crimea. President Vladimir Putin had used a combination of […]

Conflict Cybersecurity

UkraineAlert

Apr 13, 2022

Memo to Macron: Putin’s Ukraine genocide is not the act of a brother

By Peter Dickinson

French President Emmanuel Macron has refused to describe the mass killing of Ukrainians by Russian soldiers as genocide despite overwhelming evidence of Putin's intention to destroy the Ukrainian nation.

Conflict Disinformation
Rossiya TV video claiming to show Ukrainians dressing mannequins actually originated from behind-the-scenes footage of a Russian TV series. (Source: Rossiya TV)

New Atlanticist

Apr 13, 2022

Russian War Report: Russia promotes misleading video accusing Ukraine of using mannequins as casualties

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

Kremlin-controlled TV network Rossiya 24 broadcast a misleading video claiming that mannequins were being used in Ukraine to stage war casualties.

Belarus Disinformation
Content moderator

New Atlanticist

Apr 11, 2022

Russian War Report: Facebook takes down inauthentic networks targeting Ukraine

By DFRLab

Facebook removed an online Russian and Belarusian network targeting Ukrainians named Ghostwriter while more Russian Twitter accounts turn to VK and Telegram.

Belarus Disinformation

New Atlanticist

Apr 8, 2022

Russian War Report: Russia makes false claims while blaming Ukraine for Kramatorsk railway station attack

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

After missiles struck near Kramatorsk, Ukraine railway station, Russia tried to blame Ukraine for attacking its own people, a narrative pro-Kremlin media ran with.

Belarus Disinformation

Experts