This week, New York Times reporter Julian E. Barnes joins Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson for an in-depth conversation of the multiple indictments announced late last week by the U.S. Department of Justice exposing the scheme by Russian state-media to funnel $10 million to American right-wing influencers peddling divisive and anti-Ukrainian messages to American audiences.

This week, New York Times reporter Julian E. Barnes joins Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson for an in-depth conversation of the multiple indictments announced late last week by the U.S. Department of Justice exposing the scheme by Russian state-media to funnel $10 million to American right-wing influencers peddling divisive and anti-Ukrainian messages to American audiences.

From the Pell Center at Salve Regina University and the creators of the Active Measures Newsletter, a weekly dive into the latest trends in political warfare, influence, and information campaigns. 

From the Pell Center at Salve Regina University and the creators of the Active Measures Newsletter, a weekly dive into the latest trends in political warfare, influence, and information campaigns.

A weekly dive into the headlines in the Active Measures Newsletter from the Pell Center at Salve Regina University.

The Active Measures Newsletter Podcast

A Five Alarm Fire

In this week's Active Measures Newsletter Podcast, hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson discuss the recent report from the Microsoft Threat Analysis Center documenting "synchronized shifts" in three consecutive U.S. presidential elections in which Russian assets sought to denigrate Democratic candidates within 90 days of election day. They then discuss a Tech Policy Press report on how the U.S. government struggles to counter these threats, before welcoming Paul Fagan, Director of Democracy Programs at the McCain Institute for a conversation about the new task force report he led, "Defending American Democracy in the Digital Age."

In this week's Active Measures Newsletter Podcast, hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson discuss the recent report from the Microsoft Threat Analysis Center documenting "synchronized shifts" in three consecutive U.S. presidential elections in which Russian assets sought to denigrate Democratic candidates within 90 days of election day. They then discuss a Tech Policy Press report on how the U.S. government struggles to counter these threats, before welcoming Paul Fagan, Director of Democracy Programs at the McCain Institute for a conversation about the new task force report he led, "Defending American Democracy in the Digital Age."

Synchronized Shifts

This week on the Active Measures Newsletter Podcast, hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson unpack the viral, dangerous misinformation about immigrants and family pets in Springfield, Ohio; take a look at the disinformation targeting Latino voters in Michigan; and discuss new reporting about the leader of RT, on the one hand, and, on the other, the effort by former U.S. Senator Gordon Humprhey to build a social media channel that speaks directly to the Russian people.  All that and more as we celebrate the 300th edition of the Active Measures Newsletter!

This week on the Active Measures Newsletter Podcast, hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson unpack the viral, dangerous misinformation about immigrants and family pets in Springfield, Ohio; take a look at the disinformation targeting Latino voters in Michigan; and discuss new reporting about the leader of RT, on the one hand, and, on the other, the effort by former U.S. Senator Gordon Humprhey to build a social media channel that speaks directly to the Russian people.  All that and more as we celebrate the 300th edition of the Active Measures Newsletter!

Cats and Dogs

This week, Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson discuss the investigation of American citizens working for Russian state media; the potential of 'Green Cicada,' a newly identified AI-enabled network on X, to achieve strategic surprise in the information-space; legal and financial consequences for those using synthetic media in campaigns; Russia's likely use of "gendered disinformation" in the 2024 U.S. campaign; and the surrender of social media companies who were expected to police disinformation on their networks themselves while one of their owners uses his platform to stoke violent riots in a key NATO ally.

This week, Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson discuss the investigation of American citizens working for Russian state media; the potential of 'Green Cicada,' a newly identified AI-enabled network on X, to achieve strategic surprise in the information-space; legal and financial consequences for those using synthetic media in campaigns; Russia's likely use of "gendered disinformation" in the 2024 U.S. campaign; and the surrender of social media companies who were expected to police disinformation on their networks themselves while one of their owners uses his platform to stoke violent riots in a key NATO ally.

A Five Alarm Fire

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