The current war in the Middle East is testing platform responses in an unprecedented way.  

ISD’s Melanie Smith and Bret Schafer are featured in Tech Policy Press’ analysis on the role of technology in the expanding Middle East war alongside other leading voices in the intersection of technology, policy and security. 

Melanie and Bret highlight that Iranian state-sponsored propaganda is spreading on X without labels or community notes. The rise of AI-generated content has created an information environment notably worse than that of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.  

Melanie and Bret describe how the current internet shutdowns have restricted citizens’ access to credible reporting and created a vacuum that can be rapidly filled by propaganda and speculation.  

“In the absence of verifiable information, manipulated content and false narratives can circulate widely with fewer credible counterparts.” 

The full analysis is available on Tech Policy Press.