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

#DFRLabCoffeeBreak with Former President of Estonia, Toomas Hendrik Ilves

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
#DFRLabCoffeeBreak with Former President of Estonia, Toomas Hendrik Ilves

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
#DFRLabCoffeeBreak with Former President of Estonia, Toomas Hendrik Ilves

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

Toomas Hendrik Ilves

Interview

Nov 2, 2020

#DFRLabCoffeeBreak with Former President of Estonia, Toomas Hendrik Ilves

Former Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves discusses internet policy and safety with the DFRLab.

Disinformation Eastern Europe

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
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Experts

Staff

Nika Aleksejeva

Resident Fellow, Baltics

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Belarus Disinformation

Expert bio

Julio Amador Diaz Lopez

Senior Advisor

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Disinformation English

Fellow

Lukas Andriukaitis

Nonresident Fellow

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Disinformation Eastern Europe
Ana Arriagada

Staff

Ana Arriagada

Assistant Director, Latin America

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Brazil Civil Society

Staff

Nitansha Bansal

Associate Director

Cyber Statecraft Initiative

Artificial Intelligence Cybersecurity

Fellow

Abdelhak Bassou

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Disinformation
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