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

Oct 29, 2020

Kremlin memory wars and the search for a unifying Ukrainian national identity

By Olesya Khromeychuk

Ukraine's post-Soviet quest for an inclusive national identity capable of uniting the country has had to contend with memory wars fueled by domestic political rivalries and renewed Russian imperial ambitions.

Conflict Disinformation

In the News

Oct 29, 2020

Brooks mentioned in Forbes on CISA-commissioned graphic novel to combat election disinformation

By Atlantic Council

On October 28, Forward Defense non-resident senior fellow Max Brooks was mentioned in a Forbes article on Real Fake, an online graphic novel commissioned by the US Cyber Infrastructure and Security Agency (CISA) to combat election disinformation.

Cybersecurity Disinformation

In the News

Oct 29, 2020

Nurkin for IScann Group on disinformation campaigns

By Atlantic Council

On October 21, IScann Group released a white paper titled “Manipulated: The Challenge of Disinformation Campaigns in the Age of Synthetic Media,” written by Forward Defense non-resident senior fellow Tate Nurkin.

Disinformation Internet

New Atlanticist

Oct 29, 2020

The 5×5—Trick or threat? The ghouls and goblins behind this year’s cyber incidents

By Simon Handler

This year has witnessed its fair share of unnerving cyber incidents from a range of spooky characters. But 2020 is not over yet. What further ghouls and goblins might lurk? Cyber Statecraft Initiative experts go 5×5 to discuss spine-chilling cyber incidents this Halloween.

Cybersecurity Disinformation
Maria Ressa

Blog Post

Oct 28, 2020

#DFRLabCoffeeBreak with Rappler CEO, Maria Ressa

DFRLab's Director and Managing Editor, Graham Brookie catches up with Maria Ressa, CEO, co-founder and, journalist for Rappler to discuss global disinformation, her ongoing legal battle in the Philippines, and the new documentary about her, "A Thousand Cuts."

Disinformation East Asia

Elections 2020

Oct 28, 2020

How to defeat Iranian and Russian cyber operations against the US election

By Thomas S. Warrick

Instead of offering general reassurances, the directors of national intelligence, the FBI, and cybersecurity should tell all Americans they have it in their power to hand Russia and Iran a strategic defeat. Vote early.

Cybersecurity Disinformation
AlertaVenezuela email banner

#AlertaVenezuela

Oct 27, 2020

#AlertaVenezuela: October 27, 2020

By Atlantic Council's DFRLab

After Voluntad Popular's National Coordinator abandoned the Spanish ambassador’s residence in Caracas, pro-Maduro Twitter accounts promoted hashtags to influence Twitter’s conversation

Disinformation Venezuela

In the News

Oct 24, 2020

Warrick quoted on election security in AP

By Atlantic Council

Thomas Warrick, the former deputy assistant secretary of homeland security for counterterrorism policy and and nonresident senior fellow with Forward Defense, was quoted in an AP article on risks to election security and the role of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Agency (CISA) within the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in countering those threats.

Coronavirus Cybersecurity
BelarusProtestor

Article

Oct 23, 2020

Belarus anti-Lukashenka media falls into confirmation bias traps

By Nika Aleksejeva

Independent media outlets NEXTA Live and TUT.by shared unverified information, including a video apparently recorded to undermine their credibility.

Belarus Disinformation

In the News

Oct 22, 2020

In the News: Sara-Jayne Terp’s quest to quash misinformation

By Atlantic Council

"She's also cautiously optimistic about the strength of the network that's under assault. On her road trip, Terp says, the more she drove, the more hopeful she became. ­People were proud of their cities, loved their communities. She saw that when people have something concrete to fight for, they are less prone to end up in phantom battles against illusory enemies. “You have to involve ­people in their own solution,” she says. By creating a world where misinformation makes more sense, Terp hopes more people will be able to reject it."

Coronavirus Cybersecurity

Experts