The Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab) is a first of its kind organization with technical and policy expertise on disinformation, connective technologies, democracy, and the future of digital rights. Incubated at the Atlantic Council in 2016, the DFRLab has conducted over 1,000 investigations exposing influence operations and emerging digital threats worldwide.

With a team rooted in diverse regional expertise and subject-matter knowledge, the DFRLab works to promote digital resilience, defend democratic institutions, and ensure that objective fact remains central to public discourse in an increasingly contested information space.

Read the DFRLab’s latest case studies, learn about our initiatives, and more at DFRLab.org

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Democracy + Tech Initiative

DTI creates policy practices that align global stakeholders toward tech and governance that reinforces, rather than undermines, open societies. It builds on the DFRLab’s established track record and leadership in the open-source field, empowering global communities to promote transparency and accountability online and around the world.

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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From the archives

Experts

Content

New Atlanticist

Jan 13, 2024

Experts react: Taiwan just elected Lai Ching-te as president despite China’s opposition. What’s next?

By Atlantic Council experts

Atlantic Council experts explain what a Lai presidency will mean for Taiwan’s foreign policy trajectory—and how China is likely to respond.

Elections Politics & Diplomacy

The Big Story

Dec 21, 2023

Distortion by design: How social media platforms shaped our initial understanding of the Israel-Hamas conflict

By Emerson T. Brooking, Layla Mashkoor, Jacqueline Malaret

Almost as soon as the Israel-Hamas war began, it collided with the engineering and policy decisions of social media companies. On Telegram, terrorist content spread mostly uncontested; on X, false claims proliferated. Accusations of anti-Palestinian bias at Meta and pro-Palestinian bias at TikTok added to the confusion. Can the platforms thread this needle?

Conflict Disinformation

New Atlanticist

Dec 20, 2023

The Atlantic Council’s greatest hits of 2023

By Frederick Kempe

Here's the best of our efforts to further our mission to shape the global future together with allies and partners in 2023.

Economy & Business Energy & Environment
Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Commander of the Sparta Battalion Artyom Zhoga pose for a picture after a ceremony to present Gold Star medals to service members, bearing the title of Hero of Russia and involved in the country's military campaign in Ukraine, on the eve of Heroes of the Fatherland Day in Moscow, Russia, December 8, 2023. Sputnik/Mikhail Klimentyev/Kremlin via REUTERS

New Atlanticist

Dec 15, 2023

Russian War Report: Putin to run for re-election in annexed regions of Ukraine

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

The Central Election Commission confirmed the possibility of holding presidential elections in illegally annexed Ukrainian territories.

Conflict Disinformation

New Atlanticist

Dec 11, 2023

Experts react: The EU made a deal on AI rules. But can regulators move at the speed of tech?  

By Atlantic Council experts

EU policymakers reached a deal on Europe’s first comprehensive artificial intelligence rules. Atlantic Council experts share their insights on the breakthrough.

Artificial Intelligence European Union

Cyber 9/12 Project

Dec 5, 2023

2024 DC Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge

By Cyber Statecraft Initiative

The Atlantic Council’s Cyber Statecraft Initiative, in partnership with American University’s School of International Service and Washington College of Law, will hold the twelfth annual Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge both virtually and in-person in Washington, DC on March 15-16, 2024. This event will be held in a hybrid format, meaning teams are welcome to attend either […]

Cybersecurity
People look out of the window of a house on a flooded street following a storm in the village of Pribrezhe, Crimea November 28, 2023. REUTERS/Alexey Pavlishak

New Atlanticist

Nov 30, 2023

Russian War Report: Pro-Kremlin surrogates accuse the US of using ‘climate weapons’ in Crimea

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

Following a severe storm in the Black Sea heavily impacted Crimea, pro-Kremlin sources circulated a conspiracy suggesting the US used a weather weapon.

Artificial Intelligence Climate Change & Climate Action
Members of Ukraine's National Guard Omega Special Purpose fire a SPG-9 anti-tank grenade launcher toward Russian troops in the front line town of Avdiivka, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region, Ukraine November 8, 2023. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty/Serhii Nuzhnenko via REUTERS

New Atlanticist

Nov 16, 2023

Russian War Report: Desperate for recruits, Russia offers one million rubles to join its military

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

The Russian army is struggling to fund equipment and recruit as they host fundraisers and drives offering pledges of one million rubles.

Conflict Digital Policy
FILE PHOTO: A police officer stands in front of a damaged building, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in the town of Avdiivka, Donetsk region, Ukraine October 17, 2023. REUTERS/Yevhen Titov/File Photo

New Atlanticist

Nov 2, 2023

Russian War Report: Russia just lost the most troops in a single battle so far in 2023

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

In Ukraine, fighting over the strategically important town of Avdiivka has led to heavy Russian losses. Meanwhile, Russian propaganda is targeting the Armenian government.

Conflict Disinformation

New Atlanticist

Oct 30, 2023

Experts react: What does Biden’s new executive order mean for the future of AI?

By Atlantic Council experts

US President Joe Biden has issued an executive order intended to make artificial intelligence safer, more secure, and more trustworthy. Atlantic Council experts share their insights.

Artificial Intelligence Internet

Events