Iran is winning the meme war.  It may seem like a silly metric, but it cuts to the quick of the nature of conflict. Iranian use of AI generated Lego-movies has shown the power and potential for new technology to reshape the modern battlefield—especially where it matters, in the minds of audiences around the world.  David Gilbert from WIRED joins us after having spoken directly with the creators of the pro-Iranian content that has gone viral with its mix of Lego-styled animations and catchy rap lyrics.  Hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson also discuss a Russian campaign targeting Estonia and Russian media penetration in the global south. 

Iran is winning the meme war.&nbsp; It may seem like a silly metric, but it cuts to the quick of the nature of conflict. Iranian use of AI generated Lego-movies has shown the power and potential for new technology to reshape the modern battlefield&mdash;especially where it matters, in the minds of audiences around the world.&nbsp; David Gilbert from WIRED joins us after having spoken directly with the creators of the pro-Iranian content that has gone viral with its mix of Lego-styled animations and catchy rap lyrics.&nbsp; Hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson also discuss a Russian campaign targeting Estonia and Russian media penetration in the global south.&nbsp;

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

Iran's Lego War with David Gilbert

In the realm of disinformation and political warfare, few operations stand out as prominently as Operation Cornflakes. This unique campaign, launched during World War II, aimed to exploit the German postal system to disseminate black propaganda. In this special edition of the podcast, Mark Jacobson unravels the intricacies of Operation Cornflakes, examining how it worked, its historical context, and the lessons it offers for understanding modern information warfare.

In the realm of disinformation and political warfare, few operations stand out as prominently as Operation Cornflakes. This unique campaign, launched during World War II, aimed to exploit the German postal system to disseminate black propaganda. In this special edition of the podcast, Mark Jacobson unravels the intricacies of Operation Cornflakes, examining how it worked, its historical context, and the lessons it offers for understanding modern information warfare.

In the realm of disinformation and political warfare, few operations stand out as prominently as Operation Cornflakes. This unique campaign, launched during World War II, aimed to exploit the German postal system to disseminate black propaganda. In this special edition of the podcast, Mark Jacobson unravels the intricacies of Operation Cornflakes, examining how it worked, its historical context, and the lessons it offers for understanding modern information warfare. 

Special Edition: Operation Cornflakes

The Declaration of Independence, adopted on July 4, 1776, was more than a formal announcement of separation from Britain, it was a masterful piece of propaganda. By articulating grievances and affirming universal rights, it sought to unify the colonies and garner international support. The document framed the revolution not just as a political struggle, but as a moral imperative--and the legacy of that framing resonates to this day.

The Declaration of Independence, adopted on July 4, 1776, was more than a formal announcement of separation from Britain, it was a masterful piece of propaganda. By articulating grievances and affirming universal rights, it sought to unify the colonies and garner international support. The document framed the revolution not just as a political struggle, but as a moral imperative--and the legacy of that framing resonates to this day.

As the United States marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, it's essential to reflect not just on the ideals of freedom and democracy, but also on the powerful role of propaganda during the American Revolution. In this episode, we’ll explore how propaganda shaped public perception, mobilized support, and defined the revolutionary narrative.

Special Edition: Propaganda and the American Revolution

We started noticing it in 2024: an inside-outside game in which American political actors seed divisive issues that are then exploited from abroad.  But there are also internationally fueled narratives that often spur domestic voices. We've described it as a “dialogue” between actors foreign and domestic.  But the phenomenon is not just happening in the United States, and Sopo Gelava argues persuasively in an assessment of Russian efforts in Bulgaria’s recent election, that the pattern underscores the futility of international and national frameworks for fighting disinformation based on a now-outdated distinction between disinformation with either domestic or international origins.  In addition, hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson discuss reporting on Russia stoking anti-EU sentiments and the Kremlin’s efforts to distort Western chatbots and wiki-pages.

We started noticing it in 2024: an inside-outside game in which American political actors seed divisive issues that are then exploited from abroad.&nbsp; But there are also internationally fueled narratives that often spur domestic voices. We've described it as a &ldquo;dialogue&rdquo; between actors foreign and domestic.&nbsp; But the phenomenon is not just happening in the United States, and Sopo Gelava argues persuasively in an assessment of Russian efforts in Bulgaria&rsquo;s recent election, that the pattern underscores the futility of international and national frameworks for fighting disinformation based on a now-outdated distinction between disinformation with either domestic or international origins.&nbsp; In addition, hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson discuss reporting on Russia stoking anti-EU sentiments and the Kremlin&rsquo;s efforts to distort Western chatbots and wiki-pages.

Disinformation campaigns are a familiar tactic used by the Kremlin. The goal of these campaigns is to weaken European unity. Fake content is often disguised as credible news sources. Strategic patterns in disinformation can be identified over time. The use of bots to spread misinformation is increasing. Leaked documents reveal intentional plans by Russia to shape narratives. Social media plays a crucial role in disseminating false information. Understanding these tactics is essential for countering them. The Bulgarian election serves as a case study for these tactics. Future implications of disinformation strategies are concerning.

Iran's Lego War with David Gilbert

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