The Active Measures Newsletter Podcast

The Pell Center at Salve Regina University

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. 

  1. 1D AGO

    Disinformation, Accountability and Democracy with Alan Jagolinzer

    Over the last 18 months, the Trump administration has characterized efforts to counter disinformation as attacks on free speech, going so far as refuse visas to European fact-checkers. But the founder and chair of the Cambridge Disinformation Summit, Alan Jagolinzer, sees disinformation not simply as speech, but rather a preparatory act preceding harm—a reframing of the challenge that opens the door to a wide-range of interventions. Hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson also talk about U.S. and Russian support to Albertan separatists and Claude’s problem with foreign disinformation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    33 min

  2. MAY 2

    Storm-1516 and the Hungarian Election with Darren Linvill

    Peter Magyar and the Tisza Party won the Hungarian parliamentary elections in April, but Russia’s coordinated influence campaign to discredit him and his party exposes current Russian influence campaigns in the West.  Darren Linville of the Clemson University Media Forensics Hub walks us through the way Russia’s Storm-1516 ecosystem launders fabricated narratives—ranging from corruption and money laundering to military conscription and anti‑Ukraine claims—through fake news sites and outsourced amplification networks, including commercial marketing accounts tied to Africa. Hungary’s election didn’t break for Russia, but Storm‑1516’s low‑cost, high‑engagement tactics pose a persistent threat to democratic processes in the West. Hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson also review possible Iranian hybrid-warfare in Europe and Japan’s efforts to confront Chinese disinformation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    28 min

  3. APR 25

    Iranian Influence Campaigns with "Jane" from Graphika

    Iran’s digital influence campaigns didn’t start with the current war, and they won’t stop when it ends, says “Jane,” an analyst from the intelligence firm Graphika who asked us not to use her real name.  In fact, last year’s 12-Day War and the current conflict show all the hallmarks of Iran’s international information campaigns, running the gamut from traditional propaganda to hacktivism and AI-generated content, sometimes with international amplification from America’s adversaries.  Hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson also highlight reporting on the diplomatic dust-up between Germany and Russia over Russian active measures and the real lessons of the 2026 Hungarian elections. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    28 min

  4. APR 18

    Iran's Lego War with David Gilbert

    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.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    30 min

  5. APR 11

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

    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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    36 min

  6. APR 4

    AI-Generated Personas in Politics with Effie Webb

    "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! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    30 min

  7. MAR 28

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

    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!   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    33 min

  8. MAR 21

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

    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! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    30 min
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About

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. 

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