Democracy & Tech Initiative

The DFRLab’s Democracy & Tech Initiative creates policy practices that align global stakeholders toward tech and governance that reinforces, rather than undermines, open societies. This initiative builds on the DFRLab’s leadership in the OSINT field, empowering global communities to promote transparency and accountability.

Content

UkraineAlert

Oct 22, 2024

Axis of Autocrats: North Korea’s escalating role in Russia’s Ukraine War

By Olena Tregub

North Korean troops are reportedly set to join the Russian invasion of Ukraine. If confirmed, this would represent the latest escalation in North Korea's support for Vladimir Putin's imperial aggression, writes Olena Tregub.

Conflict Defense Technologies

New Atlanticist

Oct 21, 2024

Five questions (and expert answers) about Moldova’s elections

By Atlantic Council experts

Moldova narrowly voted to add the goal of EU membership to its constitution, and pro-Western President Maia Sandu advanced to a runoff. Our experts interpret the results and preview what's coming next.

Disinformation Elections

Issue Brief

Oct 21, 2024

Finding security in digital public infrastructure

By Justin Sherman

As governments worldwide adopt Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), the need for robust cybersecurity and privacy protections has never been greater. This paper delves into the critical risks and opportunities associated with securing DPI systems. With examples from India, Ukraine, and other nations, it explores how governments are managing data privacy, addressing cyber threats, and building trust in digital services. The paper highlights key considerations for policymakers, including the balance between openness and security, the role of encryption, and the importance of resilience in digital systems. As more nations turn to DPI, ensuring the safety and privacy of citizens' data is essential to creating sustainable, trustworthy digital infrastructures.

Cybersecurity India

In the News

Oct 18, 2024

Soofer published in The National Interest on homeland missile defense

By Atlantic Council

On October 16, Forward Defense Senior Fellow Rob Soofer published an article in the National Interest with co-author Dr. Peppino DeBiaso titled "A Homeland Missile Defense Agenda for the Next President."

Defense Industry Defense Policy

Strategic Insights Memo

Oct 18, 2024

Toward a coherent framework for US-China tech competition in the Global South

By Peter Engelke, Samantha Wong

This memo provides strategists and policymakers in the United States and elsewhere with a coherent framework for understanding the competition between the United States and China for technological dominance with respect to the Global South.

China Technology & Innovation

New Atlanticist

Oct 18, 2024

What to know about Russian malign influence in Moldova’s upcoming election

By Victoria Olari

The October 20 elections are taking place in an environment clouded by what could be the largest case of electoral bribery in Moldova’s history.

Corruption Disinformation
Virtual creative lock symbol and microcircuit illustration on flag of China and blurry cityscape background. Protection and firewall concept.

Report

Oct 18, 2024

Capture the (red) flag: An inside look into China’s hacking contest ecosystem

By Dakota Cary and Eugenio Benincasa

China has built the world’s most comprehensive ecosystem for capture-the-flag (CTF) competitions—the predominant form of hacking competitions, which range from team-versus-team play to Jeopardy-style knowledge challenges.

China Cybersecurity

UkraineAlert

Oct 17, 2024

Russia is indoctrinating schoolchildren throughout occupied Ukraine

By Tetiana Kotelnykova

The Kremlin is conducting a massive indoctrination campaign throughout schools in Russian-occupied Ukraine that underlines Moscow's intention to erase Ukrainian national identity, writes Tetiana Kotelnykova.

Conflict Disinformation

Report

Oct 17, 2024

Information warfare in the South Caucasus and Moldova

By Eto Buziashvili, Sopo Gelava, Givi Gigitashvili, Ani Mejlumyan, and Victoria Olari

The four countries that are the focus of this report— Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Moldova—navigate a complex geopolitical landscape. This complexity is reflected in their information spaces. Their collective legacy bears the indelible imprint of Soviet imperi­alistic rule, yet each is marked by a distinct identity and national trajectory that defy collective general­izations as mere […]

Conflict Disinformation

UkraineAlert

Oct 15, 2024

Ukraine may allow drone exports in bid to support domestic producers

By Marcel Plichta

Ukraine may allow the export of drones in a bid to boost domestic production amid limited state procurement budgets and to prevent Ukrainian drone manufacturers from relocating abroad, writes Marcel Plichta.

Conflict Defense Industry

Experts

Events