This week, Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson welcome Stephen Clermont, Head of Polling at Change Research, for a discussion of the sustained appeal of conspiracy theories in the United States, today--all stemming from a collapse in public confidence for the major institutions in American public life.  First up, however, they discuss the optics and messaging of the gathering of uniformed U.S. military leaders at Quantico this week, the remarks of Secretary Pete Hegseth; President Vladimir Putin's remarks at Valdai and his appeal to the shared values between Russia and MAGA followers; as well as the recent election results in Moldova.

This week, Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson welcome Stephen Clermont, Head of Polling at Change Research, for a discussion of the sustained appeal of conspiracy theories in the United States, today--all stemming from a collapse in public confidence for the major institutions in American public life.&nbsp; First up, however, they discuss the optics and messaging of the gathering of uniformed U.S. military leaders at Quantico this week, the remarks of Secretary Pete Hegseth; President Vladimir Putin's remarks at Valdai and his appeal to the shared values between Russia and MAGA followers; as well as the recent election results in Moldova.

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

"Paranoid Thinking" with Stephen Clermont

That last generation of Cold War kids probably heard it in high school: HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, it was said, was created by the U.S. government.  Some would go further, claiming it was done to target black Americans or members of the LGBTQ community.  We know, now, the claim was the fruit of a massively successful hoax by Soviet intelligence that turned a rumor into a scientific controversy. Hosts Mark Jacobson and Jim Ludes trace the history of "Operation Denver," as it was called, and the continuing use of public health crises by Russian intelligence to exploit divisions in American society. 

Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts!  

That last generation of Cold War kids probably heard it in high school: HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, it was said, was created by the U.S. government.&nbsp; Some would go further, claiming it was done to target black Americans or members of the LGBTQ community.&nbsp; We know, now, the claim was the fruit of a massively successful hoax by Soviet intelligence that turned a rumor into a scientific controversy. Hosts Mark Jacobson and Jim Ludes trace the history of "Operation Denver," as it was called, and the continuing use of public health crises by Russian intelligence to exploit divisions in American society.&nbsp;
Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts!&nbsp;&nbsp;

That last generation of Cold War kids probably heard it in high school: HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, it was said, was created by the U.S. government.  Some would go further, claiming it was done to target blacks or members of the LGBTQ community.  We know, now, the claim was the fruit of a massively successful hoax by Soviet intelligence that turned a rumor into a scientific controversy. Hosts Mark Jacobson and Jim Ludes trace the history of "Operation Denver," as it was called, and the continuing use of public health crises by Russian intelligence to exploit divisions in American society. 

From HIV to COVID-19: Russian Exploitation of Public Health Crises

Malinformation is a feature of modern life we all deal with, whether it’s a claim by an American politician, something we confront on social media, or a covert campaign waged by a foreign government.  Fortunately, there are tools we can all use and resources we can all access to check facts and help us all in our search for ground truth. Melissa Goldin is a news verification reporter for the Associate Press.  She joins us this week to talk about the work she does, the methodology she employs, and a bit about the disinformation coming out of the Iran War.  Hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson also review the DNI’s failure to include foreign election interference in her annual threat assessment to Congress and reporting from The Financial Times on AI-generated disinformation in both war and financial systems.

Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts!

Malinformation is a feature of modern life we all deal with, whether it&rsquo;s a claim by an American politician, something we confront on social media, or a covert campaign waged by a foreign government.&nbsp; Fortunately, there are tools we can all use and resources we can all access to check facts and help us all in our search for ground truth. Melissa Goldin is a news verification reporter for the Associate Press.&nbsp; She joins us this week to talk about the work she does, the methodology she employs, and a bit about the disinformation coming out of the Iran War.&nbsp; Hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson also review the DNI&rsquo;s failure to include foreign election interference in her annual threat assessment to Congress and reporting from The Financial Times on AI-generated disinformation in both war and financial systems.
Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts!

Malinformation is a feature of modern life we all deal with, whether it’s a claim by an American politician, something we confront on social media, or a covert campaign waged by a foreign government.  Fortunately, there are tools we can all use and resources we can all access to check facts and help us all in our search for ground truth. Melissa Goldin is a news verification reporter for the Associate Press.  She joins us this week to talk about the work she does, the methodology she employs, and a bit about the disinformation coming out of the Iran War.  Hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson also review the DNI’s failure to include foreign election interference in her annual threat assessment to Congress and reporting from The Financial Times on AI-generated disinformation in both war and financial systems.

"Well, Actually. . . ." News Verification with the AP's Melissa Goldin

The U.S. State Department has plans for an online portal designed to bypass European social media content bans. With a tagline “Freedom is Coming,” the plan plainly pits the U.S. government in opposition to European laws.  Simon Lewis and Humeyra Pamuk of Reuters broke this story in February and in this episode of the podcast trace the as-yet-to-be-launched website to a three part-ambition: promoting free speech; boosting far-right political parties in Europe; and protecting American social media companies from European regulation.  Hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson also discuss Iran’s on-going information offensive and the relatively small number of influencers needed to drive content on social media.

Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts.

The U.S. State Department has plans for an online portal designed to bypass European social media content bans. With a tagline &ldquo;Freedom is Coming,&rdquo; the plan plainly pits the U.S. government in opposition to European laws.&nbsp; Simon Lewis and Humeyra Pamuk of Reuters broke this story in February and in this episode of the podcast trace the as-yet-to-be-launched website to a three part-ambition: promoting free speech; boosting far-right political parties in Europe; and protecting American social media companies from European regulation.&nbsp; Hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson also discuss Iran&rsquo;s on-going information offensive and the relatively small number of influencers needed to drive content on social media.
Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts.

The U.S. State Department has plans for an online portal designed to bypass European social media content bans. With a tagline “Freedom is Coming,” the plan plainly pits the U.S. government in opposition to European laws.  Simon Lewis and Humeyra Pamuk of Reuters broke this story in February and in this episode of the podcast trace the as-yet-to-be-launched website to a three part-ambition: promoting free speech; boosting far-right political parties in Europe; and protecting American social media companies from European regulation.  Hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson also discuss Iran’s on-going information offensive and the relatively small number of influencers needed to drive content on social media.

"Paranoid Thinking" with Stephen Clermont

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