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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Programs

The Democracy + Tech Initiative 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

Issue Brief

Feb 29, 2024

In Europe and the South Caucasus, the Kremlin leans on energy blackmail and scare tactics

By the Digital Forensic Research Lab

Moscow tried to sow fear among Moldovans, Georgians, and Armenians that what happened to Ukrainians could happen to them.

Disinformation
Internet

Issue Brief

Feb 29, 2024

In Ukraine, Russia tries to discredit leaders and amplify internal divisions

By the Digital Forensic Research Lab

On the information front, Russia had two goals in year two of its war: convince Ukrainians of their government’s inability to rule the country honestly, and persuade Ukraine’s allies that investing in Ukraine would be wasteful.

Disinformation
Internet

Issue Brief

Feb 29, 2024

After Prigozhin, Russia clamps down online

By the Digital Forensic Research Lab

Russia rolled out a new internet surveillance system in 2023 to crack down domestically on anti-war content, while pushing false narratives to undermine Ukraine at home and abroad.

Civil Society
Disinformation

Fast Thinking

Jan 26, 2024

What just happened in the genocide case against Israel?

By Atlantic Council

What is the practical effect of the preliminary ruling, and what’s next in the courtroom and on the battlefield? Atlantic Council experts are on the case.

China
Elections

Fast Thinking

Jan 13, 2024

Beijing’s least favorite candidate wins Taiwan’s presidential election

By Atlantic Council

From Taipei to Washington, our experts weigh in on the implications of Lai's presidential election victory.

China
Elections

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