Elections Interference & Influence Operations: Solving for State-Sponsored Disinformation Activities Against the United States

In recent years, state-sponsored bad actors have exploited and weaponized social media platforms to engage in disinformation operations to undermine or influence policies, security, or stability of the United States, its allies, and partners. The success of these operations has bolstered bad actors’ own ambitions, made them smarter on disinformation tactics, and encouraged other bad actors to enter the fray. Some of the online activities include election meddling, with bespoke campaigns targeting specific communities. In other instances, the goal is to sow discord and undermine Americans’ confidence in their government, elected leaders, and democratic institutions. With this in mind, this Capstone workshop will conduct research to better understand and solve for state-sponsored disinformation activities against the United States, with a focus on elections. This Capstone workshop will produce policy memos to understand and solve for foreign-sponsored disinformation efforts attempting to interfere in or influence U.S. elections.