Disinformation

The rise of the internet and online social networks has altered the scope and scale at which people access, consume, and communicate information. But the same technologies that have democratized access to information have also enabled malicious actors who seek to undermine our democratic values and processes. Disinformation is false or misleading information spread with the intention to deceive. It’s distinct from misinformation, which is the unintentional spread of false information. When left unchecked, disinformation has the potential to sow confusion in public dialogue, exacerbate political polarization, and promote distrust in our political systems and democratic institutions.

Recent analysis

#BritainDebrief – What can Britain do to help Ukraine? An Emergency Debrief from Tom Tugendhat, MP

UkraineAlert Feb 19, 2026

As Russian battlefield losses mount, Putin is turning to Africa for soldiers

By Katherine Spencer

Russia’s growing reliance on African recruits to continue the war in Ukraine is a powerful symbol of an invasion that has gone horribly wrong for Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin, writes Katherine Spencer.
Africa Conflict
#BritainDebrief – What can Britain do to help Ukraine? An Emergency Debrief from Tom Tugendhat, MP

Dispatches Feb 17, 2026

Weaponizing the odds: Prediction markets as a new vector for foreign influence

By Matthew Wein

As these markets proliferate, policymakers should treat them as dual-use infrastructures that require deliberate guardrails.
Disinformation Economy & Business
#BritainDebrief – What can Britain do to help Ukraine? An Emergency Debrief from Tom Tugendhat, MP

Russia Tomorrow Dec 19, 2025

Narrating the war: Analyzing Russia’s narratives for its invasion of Ukraine

By Casey Michel

The latest report in the Atlantic Council’s Russia Tomorrow series examines the Kremlin’s narratives about its invasion of Ukraine.
Disinformation Europe & Eurasia

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.

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Content

Britain Debrief

Feb 24, 2022

#BritainDebrief – What can Britain do to help Ukraine? An Emergency Debrief from Tom Tugendhat, MP

By Ben Judah

As Russia launches a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Senior Fellow Ben Judah spoke with Tom Tugendhat, MP, Chair of the UK Foreign Affairs Committee, on what Britain and its allies can do for a special emergency #BritainDebrief.

Conflict Crisis Management

In the News

Feb 22, 2022

Iyer and Warrick in the Week on a Russian invasion

By Atlantic Council

Arun Iyer and Thomas Warrick comment on a Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Conflict Cybersecurity

New Atlanticist

Feb 22, 2022

Russian Hybrid Threats Report: Despite debunking of false flags, Putin recognizes breakaway republics

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

The Council's open-source researchers break down how the Kremlin is seeking to justify incursions in Ukraine, and where the troops are moving.

Belarus Disinformation

UkraineAlert

Feb 21, 2022

Putin escalates his Ukraine war with recognition of separatist republics

By Peter Dickinson

Eight years since the invasion of Crimea, Putin struck another blow in his war against Ukrainian statehood on February 21 by recognizing the two separatist republics of east Ukraine as independent states.

Conflict Disinformation
Warrick on al-Ghad al-Arabi

In the News

Feb 21, 2022

Thomas Warrick in in al-Ghad al-Arabi on televised Russian rhetoric

By Atlantic Council

Thomas Warrick discusses Putin's military intentions with with Cairo-based al-Ghad al-Arabi.

Conflict Disinformation

UkraineAlert

Feb 18, 2022

Putin’s absurd genocide claims cannot hide his war crimes in Ukraine

By Olexander Scherba

Russian President Vladimir Putin likes to claim that an anti-Russian genocide is underway in Ukraine but in reality he is upset by the historical loss of influence suffered by representatives of the Russian state.

Conflict Disinformation

Britain Debrief

Feb 17, 2022

#BritainDebrief – What role is Western intelligence playing in the Ukraine crisis? A Debrief from Sir John Sawers

By Ben Judah

Sir John Sawers, the former Chief of MI6, joins #BritainDebrief to discuss the role of intelligence agencies in responding to the crisis in Ukraine.

Conflict Crisis Management

UkraineAlert

Feb 14, 2022

Russia may dodge sanctions by using Putin proxies to invade Ukraine

By Pavlo Kukhta, Viktoria Podhorna, Mykyta Poturaev, Yehor Chernev

With Russia facing the possibility of crushing sanctions over the threatened invasion of Ukraine, Putin may prefer to deploy hybrid forces made up of regular Russian troops and mercenaries posing as Ukrainian separatists.

Conflict Disinformation

In the News

Feb 11, 2022

Warrick quoted in USA Today on trucker protests against vaccine mandates in Canada

By Atlantic Council

Americas Conflict

New Atlanticist

Feb 11, 2022

Russian Hybrid Threats Report: Belarus threatens to arm firefighters as military exercises kick off

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

The Council's Digital Forensic Research Lab tracks the latest Russian troop movements and Kremlin-pushed narratives around NATO, Germany, and more.

Belarus Conflict
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Experts

Fellow

Arjun Bisen

Nonresident Fellow

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Australia Digital Policy
Graham Brookie

Staff

Graham Brookie

Vice President - Atlantic Council Technology Programs

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Disinformation National Security

Staff

Emerson T. Brooking

Director of Strategy and Resident Senior Fellow

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Defense Policy Disinformation

Staff

Eto Buziashvili

Research Fellow

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Disinformation Eastern Europe
Valentin Châtelet

Staff

Valentin Châtelet

Research Associate, Security

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Defense Industry Disinformation

Fellow

Caleb Eames

Senior US Marine Corps Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Africa Crisis Management
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