Some look at the U.S. elections in 2016 and 2020 and see issues of partisan contention.  Sean M. Wiswesser--a national security professional with 30 years of experience in intelligence, foreign service, and defense--sees an outright attack on American democracy by Russia, using an old playbook called 'active measures.' On this week's podcast, Wiswesser recounts Russia's tactics and the continuing danger to Western democracies.  Hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson also highlight recent Russian sabotage targeting UK Prime Minister Kier Starmer and former DNI Tulsi Gabbard's parting shot: American 'biolabs,' a favorite topic of Soviet- and, now, Russian propaganda.

Some look at the U.S. elections in 2016 and 2020 and see issues of partisan contention.&nbsp; Sean M. Wiswesser--a national security professional with 30 years of experience in intelligence, foreign service, and defense--sees an outright attack on American democracy by Russia, using an old playbook called 'active measures.' On this week's podcast, Wiswesser recounts Russia's tactics and the continuing danger to Western democracies.&nbsp; Hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson also highlight recent Russian sabotage targeting UK Prime Minister Kier Starmer and former DNI Tulsi Gabbard's parting shot: American 'biolabs,' a favorite topic of Soviet- and, now, Russian propaganda.

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

Sean Wiswasser, a former CIA officer and national security expert, discusses Russian intelligence operations, active measures, and their global impact. Learn how Russia uses social media, disinformation, and covert tactics to influence democracies worldwide.

Active Measures with Sean M. Wiswesser

During the Cold War, President Eisenhower used to caution people that in confronting the Soviets, the United States needed to be careful that we didn’t destroy the very thing we sought to preserve.  GW Law Visiting Associate ProfessorKatie Kedian makes a similar point about countering disinformation in American public life today.  She emphasizes the need for a nuanced understanding of the legal frameworks surrounding disinformation, the potential role of social media regulation, and the impact of emerging technologies like AI, all set against the core-American desire to maintain First Amendment rights.  Hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson also discuss reporting from France on Chinese efforts to target populations in the West and Africa as well as an Israeli firm offering influence-for-hire.

During the Cold War, President Eisenhower used to caution people that in confronting the Soviets, the United States needed to be careful that we didn&rsquo;t destroy the very thing we sought to preserve.&nbsp; GW Law Visiting Associate Professor Katie Kedian makes a similar point about countering disinformation in American public life today.&nbsp; She emphasizes the need for a nuanced understanding of the legal frameworks surrounding disinformation, the potential role of social media regulation, and the impact of emerging technologies like AI, all set against the core-American desire to maintain First Amendment rights.&nbsp; Hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson also discuss reporting from France on Chinese efforts to target populations in the West and Africa as well as an Israeli firm offering influence-for-hire.

During the Cold War, President Eisenhower used to caution people that in confronting the Soviets, the United States needed to be careful that we didn’t destroy the very thing we sought to preserve.  GW Law Visiting Associate Professor Katie Kedian makes a similar point about countering disinformation in American public life today.  She emphasizes the need for a nuanced understanding of the legal frameworks surrounding disinformation, the potential role of social media regulation, and the impact of emerging technologies like AI, all set against the core-American desire to maintain First Amendment rights.  Hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson also discuss reporting from France on Chinese efforts to target populations in the West and Africa as well as an Israeli firm offering influence-for-hire.

Fighting Disinformation and Protecting the Constitution with Katie Kedian

In 2018, President Donald Trump signed into law legislation creating the Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).  Yet former Congressmen Tim Roemer (D-IN) and Reid Ribble (R-WI) warn that President Trump has since gutted the very same agency despite rising threats from Russia, China, and Iran.  At a time when America’s adversaries are penetrating our network infrastructure and using advanced technology to deepen our partisan divisions, one-third of CISA’s staff is gone, the agency lacks a permanent director, and its election security mandate is being stripped away.  Hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson also make quick mention of recent elections in Denmark and China’s efforts to undermine a more assertive Japan.

In 2018, President Donald Trump signed into law legislation creating the Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).&nbsp; Yet former Congressmen Tim Roemer (D-IN) and Reid Ribble (R-WI) warn that President Trump has since gutted the very same agency despite rising threats from Russia, China, and Iran.&nbsp; At a time when America&rsquo;s adversaries are penetrating our network infrastructure and using advanced technology to deepen our partisan divisions, one-third of CISA&rsquo;s staff is gone, the agency lacks a permanent director, and its election security mandate is being stripped away.&nbsp; Hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson also make quick mention of recent elections in Denmark and China&rsquo;s efforts to undermine a more assertive Japan.

The episode features a discussion with former Congress members Tim Roemer and Reid Ribble, who highlight the dismantling of CISA, the federal agency tasked with defending U. S. infrastructure from cyberattacks. They express concern over the agency's reduced staff and lack of leadership amid increasing threats from Russia, China, and Iran. The conversation delves into the risks to critical infrastructure like the power grid and elections, and the role of foreign influence operations in deepening American political polarization. The guests urge Congress to strengthen CISA and emphasize the importance of bipartisanship in national security.

CISA Dismantled with Former U.S. Representatives Tim Roemer and Reid Ribble

We’ve come to expect propaganda from state-sponsored networks like Russia Today or China Global Television Network, but we’re less inclined to expect it when we’re scrolling through social media posts generally focused on things like hobbies and health tips.  But those are precisely the channels that journalists Arnaud Froger and his colleague “Sophie” (a pseudonym) at Reporters without Borders (RSF) discovered in a constellation of accounts that periodically insert pro-China messages into pages best known for lifestyle advice.  Hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson also discuss a proposal to create a college of political warfare and evidence of a Russian campaign hijacking the Bluesky accounts of prominent reporters and scholars in the United States.

We&rsquo;ve come to expect propaganda from state-sponsored networks like Russia Today or China Global Television Network, but we&rsquo;re less inclined to expect it when we&rsquo;re scrolling through social media posts generally focused on things like hobbies and health tips.&nbsp; But those are precisely the channels that journalists Arnaud Froger and his colleague &ldquo;Sophie&rdquo; (a pseudonym) at Reporters without Borders (RSF) discovered in a constellation of accounts that periodically insert pro-China messages into pages best known for lifestyle advice.&nbsp; Hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson also discuss a proposal to create a college of political warfare and evidence of a Russian campaign hijacking the Bluesky accounts of prominent reporters and scholars in the United States.

In this conversation, Mark and Jim discuss the sophistication of Chinese influence operations compared to other adversaries, particularly focusing on how lifestyle content is used to build audiences that can be targeted with political messaging. They explore the challenges of creating trustworthy media platforms in democracies and the historical context of information warfare, emphasizing the importance of established networks in effective communication strategies.

Active Measures with Sean M. Wiswesser

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