Published by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in 2016, “The Kremlin Playbook” was a prescient warning about Russia’s goals and tactics with regard to influence operations in central and eastern Europe. It has since become an indispensable reference to those working unravel the machinations of contemporary Russian influence.

Motive is closely following one of the most important national security challenges we face today: The increasing use and impact of Information Operations (IO) and disinformation campaigns, especially efforts by US competitors and adversaries targeting US democratic institutions and election systems, with the goal of weakening US institutions and sowing political and societal discord. This threat is difficult to contain or counter given the asymmetric nature of it, the difficulty of attribution, and the rapid development of ever more effective cyber intrusion tools and data-manipulating algorithms.

However, as IO campaigns have intensified, so has the examination of policy and technical tools to identify such campaigns and their sources, defend against them, and build more resilience around US institutions and election infrastructure. For those interested in deepening their understanding of the threat and potential responses, Motive SME Instructor and emerging technologies expert Geoff Odlum recommends the following governmental and think-tank resources and reports:

The Department of Homeland Security’s Election Security Resource Library

NATO's Centre of Excellence on Cyber Defense

RAND’s August 2019 report "Hostile Social Manipulation: Present Realities and Emerging Trends"

German Marshall Fund’s (GMFUS) "Alliance for Securing Democracy" website, focusing on coverage of Russian disinformation efforts.

Brookings Institution’s series on cyber-security, election interference, and other digital threats to American democracy