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

Emerson Brooking authors an op-ed for The Washington Post on US election interference from Russia

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
Emerson Brooking authors an op-ed for The Washington Post on US election interference from Russia

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
Emerson Brooking authors an op-ed for The Washington Post on US election interference from Russia

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

In the News

Oct 29, 2019

Emerson Brooking authors an op-ed for The Washington Post on US election interference from Russia

By Emerson T. Brooking

Last week, Facebook revealed details of a new Russian influence operation targeting the 2020 U.S. election. Sticking to the playbook they used in the 2016 presidential election, Russian operatives infiltrated both sides of contentious political debates, seeking to widen the fissures in American society. The operation focused on Instagram and reached roughly 147,000 U.S.-based Instagram users. The efforts concentrated on the swing state of Florida.

Disinformation English

New Atlanticist

Oct 23, 2019

Combating everyday falsehoods

By David A. Wemer

From false headlines about veteran benefit cuts to broad campaigns discrediting climate science, the spread of fake or misleading information online has disrupted democratic societies around the world.

Disinformation

New Atlanticist

Oct 23, 2019

Can Beijing export its manipulation of information?

By David A. Wemer

While censorship and propaganda have long been features of Chinese domestic politics, Beijing is ramping up its information operations abroad.

China Disinformation
AlertaVenezuela email banner

#AlertaVenezuela

Oct 22, 2019

#AlertaVenezuela: October 22, 2019

By Atlantic Council's DFRLab

In September, Twitter suspended one of the most active accounts involved in the Maduro regime's ongoing operation to position pro-regime hashtags among the trending topics on the platform. The account @tuiteros_vzla, also known as Tuiteros Patriotas, primarily amplified the daily hashtags posted by the Venezuelan Ministry of Communications and offered monetary compensation to users who tweeted out the hashtags.

Disinformation Venezuela

New Atlanticist

Oct 18, 2019

Richard Stengel on disinformation and the threat to democracy

By Zarine Kharazian

Disinformation—both foreign and domestic—is a catalytic harm that acts to magnify existing societal vulnerabilities. Forging digital resilience is an urgent priority—because, as Stengel said, disinformation is “an attack on our very democracy. And Americans need to be aware of it.”

Disinformation Russia
Turkish flag with Twitter logo superimposed

MENASource

Oct 17, 2019

Digital Forensic Research Lab explores disinformation campaigns in the Middle East

By MENASource

Online information and disinformation has been playing a pivotal role in shaping public opinion throughout the Middle East and North Africa for over a decade. In the past week alone, Atlantic Council researchers with the Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab) have published four articles examining the origins of various MENA-based disinformation campaigns and the tell-tale […]

Disinformation Middle East

Press Release

Oct 16, 2019

StratComDC: Global Forum on Strategic Communications

By Atlantic Council

The Atlantic Council will host its third annual Global Forum on Strategic Communications (StratCom 2019) in Washington, DC on October 23-24, 2019.

Cybersecurity Disinformation

In the News

Aug 2, 2019

Simakovsky joins VOA’s Encounter to discuss the Mueller testimony ramifications

By Atlantic Council

Disinformation Politics & Diplomacy

UkraineAlert

Aug 1, 2019

The most outrageous case this summer that no one has heard of

By Olga Tokariuk

Misinformation, disinformation, and outright fakes played a role in assembling the case, which should be seen as another chapter in Russia's hybrid war against Ukraine.

Disinformation Italy

UkraineAlert

Jul 11, 2019

How the US can fight Russian disinformation for real

By Nina Jankowicz

For the past three years, I have been on the front lines of the information war, most recently in Ukraine, Lithuania, and Georgia. I have worked alongside, interviewed and briefed policymakers throughout the region, and these experiences have presented a grim picture: the United States is abdicating its leadership in countering Russian disinformation. Where we […]

Cybersecurity 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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