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

Latest Episodes:

Iranian Influence Campaigns with "Jane" from Graphika Apr 25, 2026

Show notes

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.

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Iran's Lego War with David Gilbert Apr 18, 2026

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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.

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Russia, Telegram, and Indications of Growing Disconent with Anna Varfolomeeva Apr 11, 2026

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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.

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AI-Generated Personas in Politics with Effie Webb Apr 04, 2026

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"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.
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From HIV to COVID-19: Russian Exploitation of Public Health Crises Mar 28, 2026

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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.

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"Well, Actually. . . ." News Verification with the AP's Melissa Goldin Mar 21, 2026

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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.

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"Freedom is Coming" with Reuters' Simon Lewis and Humeyra Pamuk Mar 14, 2026

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The U.S. State Department has plans for an online portal designed to bypass European social media content bans. With a tagline “Freedom is Coming,” the plan plainly pits the U.S. government in opposition to European laws. Simon Lewis and Humeyra Pamuk of Reuters broke this story in February and in this episode of the podcast trace the as-yet-to-be-launched website to a three part-ambition: promoting free speech; boosting far-right political parties in Europe; and protecting American social media companies from European regulation. Hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson also discuss Iran’s on-going information offensive and the relatively small number of influencers needed to drive content on social media.

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Disinformation and the War with Iran with Sofia Rubinson and Isis Blachez Mar 07, 2026

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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.

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Special Edition: Benjamin Franklin and the Dawn of American Covert Influence Operations Feb 28, 2026

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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.

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The Noise War with J.J. Green Feb 21, 2026

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“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.

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