WASHINGTON, DC — The Atlantic Council announced today that author and defense analyst Emerson T. Brooking has joined as Resident Fellow at the Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab).

“Emerson is one of the finest thinkers in anticipating the far-ranging effects of social media in conflicts,” said Graham Brookie, Director of DFRLab. “He has produced visionary work in this space, and we’re delighted to have him continue that work with our team.”

As Resident Fellow, Brooking will lead initiatives regarding the policy application of DFRLab research products. He will study the intersection of social media and conflict, considering how information manipulation shapes broader trends in the international security environment.

“The team at DFRLab have distinguished themselves as leaders in digital forensics and conflict and elections monitoring,” Brooking said. “They are working at the forefront of the global information revolution. I’m honored to join them and excited to help advance their mission.”

Brooking is the coauthor of LikeWar: The Weaponization of Social Media (2018). LikeWar charts the rise of digitally enabled authoritarianism and the expanding information warfare capabilities of terrorist groups and national militaries alike. It is the only book to feature interviews with both former national security advisor Michael Flynn and former reality television villain Spencer Pratt. LikeWar was honored as a “Book of the Year” by Amazon and Foreign Affairs magazine.

Most recently, Brooking was Research Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations — the youngest researcher in a generation to receive such an appointment. He served as an adviser on information warfare to the National Security Council, Joint Staff, and U.S. intelligence community. Previously, Brooking was Research Associate for Defense Policy, also at the Council on Foreign Relations. In that capacity, he studied defense budgeting and strategy, national security bureaucracy, and civil-military relations.

Brooking has published articles in The Atlantic, Foreign Affairs, WIRED, and Rolling Stone, among others. He has provided commentary on defense and internet-related topics to National Public Radio. He was recently named to the “Forbes 30 Under 30.”

Brooking holds a BA in Political Science and Classical Studies from the University of Pennsylvania. He will be based in Washington, D.C.

For more information or any inquiries, please contact DFRLab@AtlanticCouncil.org.

Related Experts: Emerson T. Brooking and Graham Brookie