The coronavirus pandemic is creating an opportunity for foreign actors who seek to undermine Western democracies to advance their goals. From weekly reports that track messaging from Russian and Chinese state-backed media and diplomatic actors, to pieces that analyze the geopolitical impact of crisis, ASD’s work on coronavirus can be found here.
Bret Schafer on Beijing’s Twitter Offensive in the Coronavirus ‘Info War’ on NBC News
Digital Media and Disinformation Fellow Bret Schafer spoke to NBC News about Beijing's Twitter offensive during the coronavirus pandemic. China has launched a Twitter offensive in the coronavirus information war, more than doubling its number of of [...]
Nad’a Kovalcikova Discusses European Responses to the Coronavirus Pandemic with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation
Fellow and Program Manager Nad'a Kovalcikova joined the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for a discussion on European responses to the coronavirus pandemic. The discussion focused on national responses to COVID-19 pandemic and challenges the crisis has [...]
20 for 20: 20 Ways to Protect the 2020 Presidential Election
ASD’s Elections Integrity Fellow David Levine and the Bipartisan Policy Center's Director of the Election Project Matthew Weil identify 20 ways states could further protect the 2020 presidential election with additional funding. Introduction At t [...]
Jessica Brandt on Beijing’s Adoption of the Kremlin’s Disinformation Playbook for Brookings
ASD Head of Policy and Research Jessica Brandt and Brookings Non-Resident Fellow Torrey Taussig argue that throughout the coronavirus pandemic, China has carried out a striking disinformation campaign that borrows a few pages from the Kremlin’s play [...]
Jessica Brandt and Bret Schafer Discuss China’s Role in the Coronavirus Infodemic on ‘Democracy Works’
Head of Research and Policy Jessica Brandt and Digital Media and Disinformation Fellow Bret Schafer were interviewed on the "Democracy Works" podcast about China's role in the coronavirus infodemic. As if the coronavirus pandemic wasn’t enough to [...]
Hamilton Weekly Report: May 9-15, 2020
Russia Toplines The coronavirus, while still the most prominent topic in the Russian media ecosystem last week, continued to decline in prominence for the third week in a row. At the same time, World War II Victory Day messaging predictably reached [...]
Clint Watts Talks Coronavirus Conspiracy Theories on Meet the Press
Non-Resident Fellow Clint Watts identifies the central coronavirus conspiracy theories and outlines their sources. Read more here. [...]
Triad of Disinformation: How Russia, Iran, & China Ally in a Messaging War against America
When Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian began tweeting about the origins of the coronavirus in March, it marked a significant turning point in China’s social media disinformation operations. While China has long deployed widespread ce [...]
Laura Rosenberger Discusses How Authoritarian Regimes Have Taken Advantage of the Coronavirus Crisis with the Henry Jackson Society
Director Laura Rosenberger joined the Henry Jackson Society for a webinar discussion entitled "When the World Wasn't Looking: How Authoritarian States Have Taken Advantage of the COVID-19 Crisis." "Covid-19 has left a trail of destruction everywher [...]
Lindsay Gorman Discusses DHS Warning that China is Trying to Steal U.S. Coronavirus Research on Newsy
The FBI and Department of Homeland Security warn that China is targeting U.S. drug companies, universities, and researchers. China denies it. Emerging Technologies Fellow Lindsay Gorman joins Newsy to discuss the implications. In the coronavirus er [...]
Laura Rosenberger and Julie Smith on How China is Using the Coronavirus to Cozy up to Europe in Newsweek
ASD Director Laura Rosenberger and GMF Asia Program Director Julie Smith argue that as the U.S. has abdicated its leadership role during the coronavirus pandemic, China has moved to crown itself the de facto global leader. China has provided assista [...]
To Ensure a Healthy Election in a Pandemic, First Prepare the Information Space
State and local leaders, in partnership with social media platforms, must prepare the information space for the onslaught of disinformation that epidemic-necessitated changes to the election process could generate. New York democrats may not be cast [...]