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

Event Recap

Apr 21, 2021

Event recap | Countering bot swarms, mass false accounts, and deep fakes, Part 1

By the GeoTech Center

An episode of the GeoTech Hour exploring the impacts of tech on propagating misinformation and the innovative solutions that can follow.

Americas Disinformation

BelarusAlert

Apr 21, 2021

Bizarre Belarus “coup plot” has all the hallmarks of a classic Kremlin drama

By Brian Whitmore

Belarus ruler Alyaksandr Lukashenka's recent claim that he was the target of a US-backed coup may be more than just the latest in a series of conspiratorial rants by the increasingly beleaguered dictator.

Belarus Democratic Transitions
Tbilsi, Georgia

Report

Apr 19, 2021

Fighting for the hearts and minds of Sakartvelo: The Georgian information environment during the 2020 parliamentary election

By Eto Buziashvili, Givi Gigitashvili, Sopo Gelava, Graham Brookie, Andy Carvin, Iain Robertson, Zarine Kharazian

A technical analysis of how various online actors, both foreign and domestic, attempted to manipulate public opinion and influence the recent Georgian parliamentary election results.

Disinformation Elections

UkraineAlert

Apr 15, 2021

Russian-language media: Can Ukraine compete with the Kremlin?

By Mitchell Polman

Putin's hybrid war against Ukraine has relied heavily on disinformation and the weaponization of Russian-language media, but Ukraine remains best-placed among the former Soviet republics to lead the fight back.

Disinformation Media

In the News

Apr 12, 2021

Drun and Beauchamp-Mustafaga in China Brief: Exploring Chinese military thinking on social media manipulation against Taiwan

By Atlantic Council

On April 12, 2021, Jessica Drun and Nathan Beauchamp-Mustafaga published an article in China Brief to provide evidence of PRC planning for covert manipulation of Taiwanese social media.

China Disinformation
Nicolas Maduro

In-Depth Research & Reports

Apr 7, 2021

Digital Autocracy: Maduro’s control of the Venezuelan information environment

By Esteban Ponce de León, Daniel Suárez Pérez

A 16-month monitoring report that analyzes the information environment in Venezuela, exploring the Maduro regime’s tactics when promoting influence operations in the country and abroad.

Disinformation Latin America

UkraineAlert

Apr 1, 2021

How Putin made the international media his unwitting accomplices

By Peter Dickinson

Vladimir Putin's hybrid war against Ukraine relies heavily on deliberate disinformation and blanket denials. By prioritizing impartiality over accuracy, the international media has often played the role of unwitting accomplice.

Conflict Disinformation

In the News

Mar 30, 2021

Alexander Ruiz with Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security: National strategy to combat disinformation around COVID-19 and future pandemics

By the GeoTech Center

Nonresident Senior Fellow Alex Ruiz in a report on the need to adopt a national strategy to combat misinformation and disinformation around COVID-19 and future public health threats.

Digital Policy Disinformation

In the News

Mar 29, 2021

Riaz in The Daily Star: A cancelled 1971 conference in Pakistan sends a message

By Atlantic Council

Bangladesh Disinformation

Fast Thinking

Mar 26, 2021

FAST THINKING: A glimpse into our digital future at the latest tech hearing on Capitol Hill

By Atlantic Council

This wasn’t just another tech hearing. It was the first since the January 6 riot on Capitol Hill. It was focused on extremism and misinformation. And our team at the Digital Forensic Research Lab, which is all over these issues, tells us that lawmakers came at their questioning in a new way that offers insight into what our digital future could look like.

Digital Policy Disinformation

Experts