Graphika Chief Intelligence Officer Jack Stubbs joins Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson for a discussion of the Spamouflage campaign and Graphika's most recent report "The #Americans."  Stubbs explains Graphika's most recent reporting, the evolution in the network's tactics, and the fine-line between informing the public and needlessly doing the work of adversarial information warriors.  In addition, Ludes and Jacobson unpack Thomas Rid's review of internal Russian documents, exposing the lies Russian propagandists tell themselves and their masters, as well as Josh Goldstein and Renee DiResta's piece on the sophistication of Russia's campaigns in 2024.

Graphika Chief Intelligence Officer Jack Stubbs joins Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson for a discussion of the Spamouflage campaign and Graphika's most recent report "The #Americans."  Stubbs explains Graphika's most recent reporting, the evolution in the network's tactics, and the fine-line between informing the public and needlessly doing the work of adversarial information warriors.  In addition, Ludes and Jacobson unpack Thomas Rid's review of internal Russian documents, exposing the lies Russian propagandists tell themselves and their masters, as well as Josh Goldstein and Renee DiResta's piece on the sophistication of Russia's campaigns in 2024.

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

Spamouflage with Jack Stubbs

Best-selling author Annalee Newitz joins hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson for a discussion of Newitz's new book, Stories are Weapons: Psychological Warfare and the American Mind. The discussion races from early cold warrior Paul Linebarger and his other life as a science-fiction author, to similarities between psyops and advertising, and the transfer of these technologies between military and civilian entities, culminating in a lengthy discussion of whether or not disarmament of munitions of the mind can be achieved. Ludes and Jacobson also share their top stories of the week--including the arrival of foreign governments using AI generated content to target Americans on the eve of election 2024.

Best-selling author Annalee Newitz joins hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson for a discussion of Newitz's new book, Stories are Weapons: Psychological Warfare and the American Mind. The discussion races from early cold warrior Paul Linebarger and his other life as a science-fiction author, to similarities between psyops and advertising, and the transfer of these technologies between military and civilian entities, culminating in a lengthy discussion of whether or not disarmament of munitions of the mind can be achieved. Ludes and Jacobson also share their top stories of the week--including the arrival of foreign governments using AI generated content to target Americans on the eve of election 2024.

"Stories Are Weapons" with Annalee Newitz

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!

Spamouflage with Jack Stubbs

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