Episodes

  • OSINT, pt 2: Global Affairs and Speed & Accuracy

    OSINT, pt 2: Global Affairs and Speed & Accuracy
    May 7 2024
    "Open-source intelligence is a critical way of helping not just governments, but the private sector form judgments about critical issues." This episode is the second in a series covering Open Source Intelligence (OSINT). Here, we focus on Bellingcat's investigative work into the 2014 shooting down of a passenger jet in Eastern Ukraine, the interest of the U.S. Department of Defense in OSINT, and the nuances of using investigations over intelligence. Guest Noemi Macero and host Paul Brandus discuss the impact of OSINT on forming judgments for governments and the private sector, and how uncovering open-source methods can enhance traditional journalism and combat disinformation. [00:03:36] Democratization of intelligence analysis. [00:04:39] Open source data investigation. [00:12:03] OSINT-related tools. [00:16:39] Balancing speed and accuracy. [00:19:26] Handling fast-moving incidents. Got questions, comments or ideas or an example of disinformation you'd like us to check out? Send them to paulb@emergentriskinternational.com. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Special thanks to our guest Noemi Macero , our sound designer and editor Noah Foutz, audio engineer Nathan Corson, and executive producers Michael DeAloia and Gerardo Orlando. Thanks so much for listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    23 mins
  • OSINT: The Tools of Truthseeking In The Age of Disinformation

    OSINT: The Tools of Truthseeking In The Age of Disinformation
    Apr 23 2024
    "The silence in these fields is that of a tomb, like sorrow and loss have isolated it from the war around it." In this episode, host Paul Brandus delves into the world of open source intelligence (OSINT), He discusses its importance in verifying information, especially in the digital era. The episode explores various tools within OSINT, such as social media, geospatial intelligence, and blockchain analytics. Additionally, he discusses the potential risks and pitfalls of over-reliance on OSINT, and the need for careful verification processes. [00:04:09] Open-source intelligence in investigations. [00:10:02] YouTube as Google Street View. [00:19:22] Open source intelligence verification. [00:26:27] Geospatial intelligence. [00:36:16] Disinformation campaigns by nation states. Got questions, comments or ideas or an example of disinformation you'd like us to check out? Send them to paulb@emergentriskinternational.com. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Special thanks to our guest Noemi Maciero, our Sound Designer and Editor Noah Foutz, audio engineer Nathan Corson, and Executive Producers Michael DeAloia and Gerardo Orlando. Thanks so much for listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    39 mins
  • Hearts & Minds In Africa, Pt. II - Moscow's Continued Disinformation Effort

    Hearts & Minds In Africa, Pt. II - Moscow's Continued Disinformation Effort
    Apr 9 2024
    "The United States government works at a great disadvantage because we tell the truth." In this episode, we refocus our sights on Russia's information warfare efforts in Africa, particularly spreading false claims about U.S. biological testing surrounding COVID-19. The Africa Initiative, backed by Russian intelligence, is highlighted as the source of these conspiracy theories. Despite limited traction, the disinformation campaign poses risks to Western health programs and humanitarian efforts in Africa. The episode also delves into Russia's broader presence in Africa, including military support and mining interests. Strategies to counter Russian disinformation include media literacy initiatives, fact-checking organizations, and promoting Western economic investments and democratic values in the region and the complex dynamics of information warfare and geopolitical competition in Africa. [00:02:06] Russia's information warfare efforts. [00:07:28] Russian disinformation in Africa. [00:11:06] Russian disinformation in Africa. [00:14:16] The disinformation angle. [00:18:22] Russian military efforts in Africa. [00:20:09] Countering Russian disinformation tactics. Got questions, comments or ideas or an example of disinformation you'd like us to check out? Send them to paulb@emergentriskinternational.com. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Special thanks to our guest Cameron Evers , our sound designer and editor Noah Foutz, audio engineer Nathan Corson, and executive producers Michael DeAloia and Gerardo Orlando. Thanks so much for listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    25 mins
  • Nobody's Fool - Understanding Truth Bias and Disinformation

    Nobody's Fool - Understanding Truth Bias and Disinformation
    Mar 26 2024
    "It's a kind of information that we find particularly appealing that people looking to fool us will use, but it can lead to innocent spreading" Host Paul Brandus explores the concept of truth bias and its implications in today's society with guests Daniel Simons and Christopher Chabris, authors of the book "Nobody's Fool, Why We Get Taken In and What We Can Do About It." They discuss how our innate trust in familiar sources can make us vulnerable to misinformation and the importance of skepticism in evaluating information. The conversation delves into the challenges of focusing on only what is directly in front of us, potentially overlooking crucial context. Meredith Wilson, CEO of Emergent Risk International, joins the discussion to provide insights on how trust and skepticism play a crucial role in navigating the complex landscape of information consumption. The episode highlights the need for critical thinking and awareness in an age where information is constantly at our fingertips. [00:02:06] Truth bias and deception. [00:05:47] Calibrating trust and skepticism. [00:09:50] Familiarity and trust on social media. [00:12:25] Focusing on selective information. [00:17:07] Trust in societal systems. [00:21:29] Familiarity and trust in information. [00:24:27] Human nature and information consumption. Got questions, comments or ideas or an example of disinformation you'd like us to check out? Send them to paulb@emergentriskinternational.com. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Special thanks to our guests Daniel Simons and Christopher Chabris, our sound designer and editor Noah Foutz, audio engineer Nathan Corson, and executive producers Michael Dealoia and Gerardo Orlando. Thanks so much for listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    28 mins
  • Muddying The Waters - Information Pollution and the Struggle For Clarity

    Muddying The Waters - Information Pollution and the Struggle For Clarity
    Mar 12 2024
    "This information is polluting the entire ecosystem under which we operate." In this episode of "Disinformation," Paul Brandus delves into the pressing issue of information pollution in the 21st century. With the rise of social media and artificial intelligence, discerning between truth, misinformation, and deliberate falsehoods has become increasingly challenging. We also discuss how information pollution exacerbates existing systemic risks like global conflict and climate change, making it a critical issue to address for progress and solutions in the modern world. [00:01:26] Information pollution. [00:06:08] Disinformation and its elements. [00:09:30] Information pollution and swatting. [00:15:29] Companies navigating information dangers. [00:17:50] Cybersecurity and company vulnerabilities. [00:22:17] Swatting and disinformation. Got questions, comments or ideas or an example of disinformation you'd like us to check out? Send them to paulb@emergentriskinternational.com. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Special thanks to our guest Alan Jagolinzer, our sound designer and editor Noah Foutz, audio engineer Nathan Corson, and executive producers Michael DeAloia and Gerardo Orlando. Thanks so much for listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    27 mins
  • Lest There Be Any October Surprises - Fighting Disinformation Before the Ballot Box

    Lest There Be Any October Surprises - Fighting Disinformation Before the Ballot Box
    Jan 11 2024
    "The problem in America isn't so much what people don't know, the problem is what people think they know that just ain't so" In this episode of Disinformation, Paul Brandus discusses the prevalence of false campaign narratives and disinformation in elections around the world. He highlights the upcoming presidential election in the United States and the numerous elections taking place in other countries, including Taiwan. We delve into China's extensive use of disinformation campaigns targeting Taiwan, with the goal of sowing discontent and mistrust among the Taiwanese people. This episode also explores the effectiveness of these efforts and their potential impact on Taiwan's relationship with the United States. The conversation then shifts to the 2024 U.S. election, the radicalization of the population, the rapid development of technology, and the lack of oversight and regulation in the information environment. [00:03:23] Disinformation in Taiwan. [00:04:48] China's influence in Taiwan. [00:09:25] Misinformation in Taiwan elections. [00:13:35] Oversight of social media platforms. [00:18:27] AI-generated disinformation in elections. [00:22:45] Social media and micro-targeting. [00:26:58] Educating people about media. Got questions, comments or ideas or an example of disinformation you'd like us to check out? Send them to paulb@emergentriskinternational.com. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Special thanks to our guest Dr. Simona Grano, CEO of Emergent Risk Meredith Wilson, sound designer and editor Noah Foutz, audio engineer Nathan Corson, and executive producers Michael DeAloia and Gerardo Orlando. Thanks so much for listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    31 mins
  • Democracy Dies In The Dark Web: Combating Disnformation in The Internet's Darkest Corners

    Democracy Dies In The Dark Web: Combating Disnformation in The Internet's Darkest Corners
    Dec 28 2023
    "The most common threat that the dark web poses for a disinformation point of view, however, is ...the fact that many marketplaces on the dark web host tools which can be used for disinformation. Manufacturing it, spreading it, monitoring it, so on and so forth." On this episode, host Paul Brandus explores the hidden parts of the Internet known as the deep web and the dark web. The deep web refers to the unindexed parts of the Internet, such as databases and private networks, while the dark web is a subset of the deep web that requires specific software and authorization to access. The dark web provides anonymity and heavy encryption, making it attractive for those seeking to manufacture and distribute false information, or disinformation. The dark web has been used to spread conspiracy theories and false information during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the sale of fake vaccines and forged health certificates. It also facilitates criminal scams, such as pump and dump schemes and ransomware attacks. Tune in to learn about the involvement of state actors like Russia and China in spreading disinformation on the dark web, as well as the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in combating these activities. [00:04:20] Dark web and disinformation. [00:11:28] Russian and Chinese dark web activities. [00:15:55] Policing the dark web. [00:20:18] The dark web and ransomware attacks. Got questions, comments or ideas or an example of disinformation you'd like us to check out? Send them to paulb@emergentriskinternational.com. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Special thanks to our guest Neil Thompson, our sound designer and editor Noah Foutz, audio engineer Nathan Corson, and executive producers Michael DeAloia and Gerardo Orlando. Thanks so much for listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    24 mins
  • One Man's Correlation Is Another Man's Causation: Fighting Disinformation Surrounding Migration

    One Man's Correlation Is Another Man's Causation: Fighting Disinformation Surrounding Migration
    Dec 12 2023
    "This is an ongoing struggle, and perhaps the struggle of our time." In this episode of Disinformation, Paul Brandus discusses the recent election in the Netherlands and the rise of the islamophobic and anti-immigration Geert Wilders and his Freedom Party. The Russians, known for their active measures, have been supporting Wilders, further highlighting their efforts to influence opinion in the West. Thea Gioe, a former CIA officer, joins the discussion and explains how migration issues are being exploited by various groups, including nationalist groups seeking to regain power. [00:03:28] Migration in Sweden. [00:05:07] Islamic immigration and crime statistics. [00:10:08] Migration in Europe's perception. [00:14:10] Fear of migrants' impact. Got questions, comments or ideas or an example of disinformation you'd like us to check out? Send them to paulb@emergentriskinternational.com. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Special thanks to our guest Thea Gioe, our sound designer and editor Noah Foutz, audio engineer Nathan Corson, and executive producers Michael DeAloia and Gerardo Orlando. Thanks so much for listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    19 mins