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

UkraineAlert

Mar 6, 2022

Why Vladimir Putin is losing the information war to Ukraine

By Anders Åslund

Vladimir Putin has long enjoyed a reputation as a master of disinformation, but the Russian ruler is now clearly losing the global information war that is being waged alongside his invasion of Ukraine.

Civil Society Conflict
Belarusian protesters from the organization Women of Minsk openly protest the invasion of Ukraine. (Source: @Tsihanouskaya/Twitter)

New Atlanticist

Mar 4, 2022

Russian War Report: Global crackdown on Russian state-affiliated media continues as Russia blocks Facebook 

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

In response to the invasion of Ukraine, governments and corporations have implemented new regulations and policies to mitigate the reach of Russian state-affiliated media within their borders and on their services. 

Belarus Conflict

UkraineAlert

Mar 3, 2022

Inside Vladimir Putin’s criminal plan to purge and partition Ukraine

By Taras Kuzio

Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine has raised the chilling prospect of a brutal occupation including a purge of pro-Ukrainian and pro-Western elements of the civilian population and possible annexations of Ukrainian land.

Conflict Disinformation
Facebook logo displayed on a phone screen and Russian flag displayed on a screen in the background.

New Atlanticist

Mar 2, 2022

Russian Hybrid War Report: Social platforms crack down on Kremlin media as Kremlin demands compliance

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

Google, Meta, and Twitter are taking action against Russian state-owned media accounts to limit the spread of harmful information online.

Africa Belarus

UkraineAlert

Mar 2, 2022

Vladimir Putin’s Ukraine War is a blueprint for genocide

By Peter Dickinson

Putin has convinced millions of Russians that Ukraine is not a country and Ukrainians are really Russians. This has set the stage for mass atrocities in the country as the Russian invasion runs into the reality of a hostile Ukraine.

Conflict Disinformation

In the News

Mar 1, 2022

Konaev in the CNBC on Russian disinformation campaigns

By Atlantic Council

Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Margarita Konaev discusses the effectiveness of Russian disinformation campaigns against their own citizens.

Conflict Disinformation

New Atlanticist

Feb 28, 2022

Russian Hybrid War Report: Russia retaliates against anti-war celebrities as social platforms crack down on Russian media

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

Meta, Patreon, and Twitter are taking action against Russian accounts, while Russian celebrities are facing pushback for their views, according to the Council's open-source researchers.

Belarus Conflict

UkraineAlert

Feb 27, 2022

Ukraine War: Vladimir Putin has gambled everything and lost

By Alexander Motyl

Putin has gambled and lost. Ukrainians will suffer terribly from his criminal invasion, but they will survive and emerge as a strong, modern nation. Putin faces a far more uncertain future following this senseless war.

Conflict Democratic Transitions

In the News

Feb 25, 2022

Konaev in Bloomberg on social media disinformation

By Atlantic Council

Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Margarita Konaev explains how Russia is utilizing disinformation campaigns against their citizens to justify their actions in Ukraine.

Conflict Disinformation

New Atlanticist

Feb 24, 2022

Russian Hybrid War Report: Belarus joins conflict against Ukraine

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

The Council's open-source researchers break down the Kremlin's latest moves online and on the battlefield in its war in Ukraine.

Belarus Disinformation

Experts