The Active Measures Newsletter Podcast - The Pell Center at Salve Regina University

Latest Episodes:

Special Edition: Operation Cornflakes Jul 18, 2026

Show notes

In the realm of disinformation and political warfare, few operations stand out as prominently as Operation Cornflakes. This unique campaign, launched during World War II, aimed to exploit the German postal system to disseminate black propaganda. In this special edition of the podcast, Mark Jacobson unravels the intricacies of Operation Cornflakes, examining how it worked, its historical context, and the lessons it offers for understanding modern information warfare.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Special Edition: Propaganda and the American Revolution Jul 04, 2026

Show notes

The Declaration of Independence, adopted on July 4, 1776, was more than a formal announcement of separation from Britain, it was a masterful piece of propaganda. By articulating grievances and affirming universal rights, it sought to unify the colonies and garner international support. The document framed the revolution not just as a political struggle, but as a moral imperative--and the legacy of that framing resonates to this day.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Bulgarian Elections with Sopo Gelava Jun 27, 2026

Show notes

We started noticing it in 2024: an inside-outside game in which American political actors seed divisive issues that are then exploited from abroad. But there are also internationally fueled narratives that often spur domestic voices. We've described it as a “dialogue” between actors foreign and domestic. But the phenomenon is not just happening in the United States, and Sopo Gelava argues persuasively in an assessment of Russian efforts in Bulgaria’s recent election, that the pattern underscores the futility of international and national frameworks for fighting disinformation based on a now-outdated distinction between disinformation with either domestic or international origins. In addition, hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson discuss reporting on Russia stoking anti-EU sentiments and the Kremlin’s efforts to distort Western chatbots and wiki-pages.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Active Measures with Sean M. Wiswesser Jun 20, 2026

Show notes

Some look at the U.S. elections in 2016 and 2020 and see issues of partisan contention. Sean M. Wiswesser--a national security professional with 30 years of experience in intelligence, foreign service, and defense--sees an outright attack on American democracy by Russia, using an old playbook called 'active measures.' On this week's podcast, Wiswesser recounts Russia's tactics and the continuing danger to Western democracies. Hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson also highlight recent Russian sabotage targeting UK Prime Minister Kier Starmer and former DNI Tulsi Gabbard's parting shot: American 'biolabs,' a favorite topic of Soviet- and, now, Russian propaganda.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fighting Disinformation and Protecting the Constitution with Katie Kedian Jun 13, 2026

Show notes

During the Cold War, President Eisenhower used to caution people that in confronting the Soviets, the United States needed to be careful that we didn’t destroy the very thing we sought to preserve. GW Law Visiting Associate ProfessorKatie Kedian makes a similar point about countering disinformation in American public life today. She emphasizes the need for a nuanced understanding of the legal frameworks surrounding disinformation, the potential role of social media regulation, and the impact of emerging technologies like AI, all set against the core-American desire to maintain First Amendment rights. Hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson also discuss reporting from France on Chinese efforts to target populations in the West and Africa as well as an Israeli firm offering influence-for-hire.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

CISA Dismantled with Former U.S. Representatives Tim Roemer and Reid Ribble Jun 06, 2026

Show notes

In 2018, President Donald Trump signed into law legislation creating the Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Yet former Congressmen Tim Roemer (D-IN) and Reid Ribble (R-WI) warn that President Trump has since gutted the very same agency despite rising threats from Russia, China, and Iran. At a time when America’s adversaries are penetrating our network infrastructure and using advanced technology to deepen our partisan divisions, one-third of CISA’s staff is gone, the agency lacks a permanent director, and its election security mandate is being stripped away. Hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson also make quick mention of recent elections in Denmark and China’s efforts to undermine a more assertive Japan.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Honoring the Fallen: A Memorial Day Tribute May 23, 2026

Show notes

As long as humanity has etched images into stone and told stories to others, we have honored and remembered heroes so that their names would live forever. In this Memorial Day edition of the Active Measures Newsletter Podcast, hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson read the names of U.S. psychological operations personnel who have given the final full measure since the Korean War and honor all who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tracking Foreign Language Disinformation with Martina Guzmán May 16, 2026

Show notes

Anyone who has ever tried to study disinformation is well-familiar with the firehose of falsehoods—there’s just so much content on so many platforms and in so much media that it’s virtually impossible to track it all. But Martina Guzmán figured out a way to use AI to help sift through all of the audio content being generated on radio stations across the country. The result is Verdad.app, an incredible tool for researchers and a wake-up call about the sheer volume of malinformation in circulation on any given day. Hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson also discuss reporting on possible American participation in a campaign to destabilize the government of Mexico and additional reporting on a possible Israeli campaign to influence local French elections.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Disinformation, Accountability and Democracy with Alan Jagolinzer May 09, 2026

Show notes

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.

Storm-1516 and the Hungarian Election with Darren Linvill May 02, 2026

Show notes

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.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

The Active Measures Newsletter Podcast – The Pell Center at Salve Regina University

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected