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

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;

Iran's Lego War with David Gilbert

Telegram, the Russian-built social media platform, played a critical role in the Kremlin’s ability to make its case about the war in Ukraine.  But Anna Varfolomeeva of the Cognitive Security Institute notes changes in the relationship between the Kremlin and Telegram—changes that may be motivated by concerns over Telegram’s potential to be used as a tool of mass mobilization inside Russia during a period of economic, political, and military challenges for Moscow.  Hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson also review the latest from the war in Iran and the winnowing of American soft power.

Telegram, the Russian-built social media platform, played a critical role in the Kremlin&rsquo;s ability to make its case about the war in Ukraine.&nbsp; But Anna Varfolomeeva of the Cognitive Security Institute notes changes in the relationship between the Kremlin and Telegram&mdash;changes that may be motivated by concerns over Telegram&rsquo;s potential to be used as a tool of mass mobilization inside Russia during a period of economic, political, and military challenges for Moscow.&nbsp; Hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson also review the latest from the war in Iran and the winnowing of American soft power.

Telegram, the Russian-built social media platform, played a critical role in the Kremlin’s ability to make its case about the war in Ukraine.  But Anna Varfolomeeva of the Cognitive Security Institute notes changes in the relationship between the Kremlin and Telegram—changes that may be motivated by concerns over Telegram’s potential to be used as a tool of mass mobilization inside Russia during a period of economic, political, and military challenges for Moscow.  Hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson also review the latest from the war in Iran and the winnowing of American soft power. 

Russia, Telegram, and Indications of Growing Disconent with Anna Varfolomeeva

"His" name is Danny Bones.  He's a far-right, AI-generated persona who raps about England, tradition, and the assault on what he values by immigrants, the deep state, and journalists, among others. Effie Webb broke the story for the Bureau of Investigative Journalism about how the anonymous collective behind Danny Bones was hired by a new, far-right British political party and employed their content in a recent by-election.  In addition, hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson break down the Trump administration's recent directive to U.S. embassies to get into the information fight as well as reporting from Hungary about the role disinformation is playing in that country's up-coming election.

Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts!

"His" name is Danny Bones.&nbsp; He's a far-right, AI-generated persona who raps about England, tradition, and the assault on what he values by immigrants, the deep state, and journalists, among others. Effie Webb broke the story for the Bureau of Investigative Journalism about how the anonymous collective behind Danny Bones was hired by a new, far-right British political party and employed their content in a recent by-election.&nbsp; In addition, hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson break down the Trump administration's recent directive to U.S. embassies to get into the information fight as well as reporting from Hungary about the role disinformation is playing in that country's up-coming election. Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts!

"His" name is Danny Bones.  He's a far-right, AI-generated persona who raps about England, tradition, and the assault on what he values by immigrants, the deep state, and journalists. among others. Effie Webb broke the story for the Bureau of Investigative Journalism about how the anonymous collective behind Danny Bones was hired by a new, far-right British political party and employed their content in a recent by-election.  In addition, hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson break down the Trump administration's recent directive to U.S. embassies to get into the information fight as well as reporting from Hungary about the role disinformation is playing in that country's up-coming election.

"Paranoid Thinking" with Stephen Clermont

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