As anti-government protests in Iran ratcheted-up in the waning days of 2025, the Iranian government cracked-down harshly, using physical violence against their own people and shutting down the internet in the country. Steven Feldstein and Shreya Joshi of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace put Iran’s actions in a broader global context of digital-repression where regimes fight the population by controlling the flow of information.  Hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson also discuss the Trump administration’s overt efforts to shape political debate in Europe before turning their attention to the deployment of StarLink terminals to Iran.

As anti-government protests in Iran ratcheted-up in the waning days of 2025, the Iranian government cracked-down harshly, using physical violence against their own people and shutting down the internet in the country. Steven Feldstein and Shreya Joshi of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace put Iran&rsquo;s actions in a broader global context of digital-repression where regimes fight the population by controlling the flow of information.&nbsp; Hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson also discuss the Trump administration&rsquo;s overt efforts to shape political debate in Europe before turning their attention to the deployment of StarLink terminals to Iran.

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

As anti-government protests in Iran ratcheted-up last month, the Iranian government cracked-down harshly, using physical violence against their own people and shutting down the internet in the country. Steven Feldstein and Shreya Joshi of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace put Iran’s actions in a broader global context of digital-repression where regimes fight the population by controlling the flow of information.  Hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson also discuss the Trump administration’s overt efforts to shape political debate in Europe before turning their attention to the deployment of StarLink terminals to Iran.

The New Era of Digital Repression with Steven Feldstein & Shreya Joshi

Truth is the first casualty of war, and the sheer volume of digital disinformation coming out of the war with Iran only proves the point.  News Guard’s Sofia Rubinson and Isis Blachez review the phony images and videos claiming Iranian battlefield successes not borne out by the evidence.  In addition, hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson discuss other reporting on emerging themes in Spanish language disinformation ahead of the U.S. midterm elections before turning their attention to the power of humor, among other things, to counter disinformation.

Truth is the first casualty of war, and the sheer volume of digital disinformation coming out of the war with Iran only proves the point.&nbsp; News Guard&rsquo;s Sofia Rubinson and Isis Blachez review the phony images and videos claiming Iranian battlefield successes not borne out by the evidence.&nbsp; In addition, hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson discuss other reporting on emerging themes in Spanish language disinformation ahead of the U.S. midterm elections before turning their attention to the power of humor, among other things, to counter disinformation.

Truth is the first casualty of war, and the sheer volume of digital disinformation coming out of the war with Iran only proves the point.  NewsGuard’s Sofia Rubinson and Isis Blachez review the phony images and videos claiming Iranian battlefield successes not borne out by the evidence.  In addition, hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson discuss other reporting on emerging themes in Spanish language disinformation ahead of the U.S. midterm elections before turning their attention to the power of humor, among other things, to counter disinformation.

Disinformation and the War with Iran with Sofia Rubinson and Isis Blachez

As we approach the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, we examine Benjamin Franklin’s 1782 disinformation operation during the peace negotiations with Britain. As American diplomats sought formal recognition of independence following Yorktown, Franklin produced a fabricated supplement to the Boston Independent Chronicle, printed in France but designed to appear authentic, alleging British officials had encouraged atrocities by their Native American allies. The forged document aimed to inflame British public opinion and exploit existing parliamentary criticism of the war’s conduct, thereby indirectly strengthening the American negotiating position in Paris. Though there is no direct evidence the forgery altered votes or treaty terms, the episode reveals Franklin’s strategic use of media manipulation and covert influence, with clear parallels to more modern active measures.

As we approach the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, we examine Benjamin Franklin&rsquo;s 1782 disinformation operation during the peace negotiations with Britain. As American diplomats sought formal recognition of independence following Yorktown, Franklin produced a fabricated supplement to the Boston Independent Chronicle, printed in France but designed to appear authentic, alleging British officials had encouraged atrocities by their Native American allies. The forged document aimed to inflame British public opinion and exploit existing parliamentary criticism of the war&rsquo;s conduct, thereby indirectly strengthening the American negotiating position in Paris. Though there is no direct evidence the forgery altered votes or treaty terms, the episode reveals Franklin&rsquo;s strategic use of media manipulation and covert influence, with clear parallels to more modern active measures.

Special Edition: Benjamin Franklin and the Dawn of American Covert Influence Operations

“Flood the zone.”  That’s the strategy advice of domestic political operatives and hostile foreign intelligence services.  Veteran national security journalist J.J. Green stands in the midst of the ensuing storm with a new handbook, The Noise War, to help reporters, citizens, educators, and students spot disinformation, manage their information diet, and remain engaged in the life of the republic.  Hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson also highlight new reporting on a U.S. government plan to exert influence in European politics by platforming speech and content currently banned on the continent. 

&ldquo;Flood the zone.&rdquo;&nbsp; That&rsquo;s the strategy advice of domestic political operatives and hostile foreign intelligence services.&nbsp; Veteran national security journalist J.J. Green stands in the midst of the ensuing storm with a new handbook, The Noise War, to help reporters, citizens, educators, and students spot disinformation, manage their information diet, and remain engaged in the life of the republic.&nbsp; Hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson also highlight new reporting on a U.S. government plan to exert influence in European politics by platforming speech and content currently banned on the continent.&nbsp;

The New Era of Digital Repression with Steven Feldstein & Shreya Joshi

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