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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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

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
SENSITIVE MATERIAL. THIS IMAGE MAY OFFEND OR DISTURB Bodies of killed people are seen at a site of a Russian military strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in the village of Hroza, in Kharkiv region, Ukraine October 5, 2023. REUTERS/Vyacheslav Madiyevskyy

New Atlanticist

Oct 5, 2023

Russian War Report: Civilian cafe attacked and a fake Ukrainian news site is exposed

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

A suspicious website impersonating a Ukrainian news agency accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ukrainian leadership of corruption and misusing aid provided by the United States.

Conflict
Digital Policy
A satellite image shows smoke billowing from a Russian Black Sea Navy HQ after a missile strike, as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, in Sevastopol, Crimea, September 22, 2023. PLANET LABS PBC/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. MANDATORY CREDIT. DO NOT OBSCURE LOGO

New Atlanticist

Sep 28, 2023

Russian War Report: Competing claims about the possible death of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet commander

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

Following an attack by Ukrainian forces on the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Crimea, rumors swirled about the potential death of Russian Admiral Viktor Sokolov.

Conflict
Infrastructure Protection
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy looks across the room towards Russia's Ambassador to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya as Zelenskiy addresses the United Nations Security Council during a ministerial level meeting of the Security Council on the crisis in Ukraine at U.N. headquarters in New York, September 20, 2023. REUTERS/Mike Segar

New Atlanticist

Sep 21, 2023

Russian War Report: Black Sea military operations approach NATO countries’ waters

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

Zelenskyy expresses frustration at the UN, Russia seems unlikely to block YouTube, and the US drops new sanctions.

Conflict
Digital Policy

New Atlanticist

Sep 14, 2023

Russian War Report: Ukraine’s Black Sea offensive retakes oil rigs near Crimea

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

Ukrainian soldiers board what appears to be the Tavrida oil drilling rig near the waters of Crimea. Russia protests actions by Armenia.

Conflict
Disinformation

New Atlanticist

Sep 7, 2023

Russian War Report: A new recruitment push for fighters from Russia to Hungary

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

The Russian National Guard and a private Hungarian foreign legion have launched campaigns to recruit soldiers to fight in Ukraine.

Conflict
Disinformation

New Atlanticist

Aug 31, 2023

Russian War Report: Russia deploys revamped cruise missile warship

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

Russia has deployed one of its biggest warships, which serves as a cruise missile launch platform, from a Black Sea port.

Conflict
Disinformation