PERSPECTIVE: SolarWindsThe SolarWinds Hack Can Directly Affect Control Systems Published 22 January 2021 Much of the initial discussion around the SolarWinds cyberattack focused on its impact on the affected information technology (IT) systems. Joe Weiss and Bob Hunter write that this overlooks an equally destructive yet unexamined operational technology (OT) portion of the attack, and

PandemicsTaking Proven Measures Now to Mitigate COVID-19 Pandemic Published 22 January 2021 The Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response is urging all countries to ensure implementation of critical public health measures known to decrease virus transmission in order to curb the spread of COVID-19. It has also expressed grave concern at the prospect of

PandemicsBiden Unveils National COVID-19 Strategy, Saying: “Help Is on the Way” By Stephanie Soucheray Published 22 January 2021 “Help is on the way,” said President Joe Biden yesterday as he unveiled his 200-page national COVID-19 strategy and signed 10 executive actions aimed at tackling the pandemic, including ensuring the safe opening of schools, new guidance

Conspiracy theoryAs Donald Trump exits, QAnon Takes Hold in Germany By Esther Felden, Jordan Wildon, Anne Höhn, and Lewis Sanders IV Published 22 January 2021 The storming of the U.S. Capitol illustrated just how dangerous a conspiracy theory can be. In Germany, QAnon is gaining momentum — and its most ardent followers are sticking with

Our picksThe Struggle over Chips | Remaking U.S. Intelligence | Banning Extremist Social Media Users, and more Published 22 January 2021 ·  As Capitol Riot Arrests Climb, FBI Says Extremist Oath Keepers Conspired in Attack ·  Bristol Islamic Extremist Shared ‘Terror Tutorials’ ·  Airbnb Used Social Media to Identify and Ban Extremist Users: Report ·  Trump’s Big Gamble

ImmigrationJoe Biden to Pause Border Wall Construction, Issue Protections for DACA Recipients, Roll Back Other Trump Immigration Policies By Julián Aguilar Published 20 January 2021 On the same afternoon he’s sworn in as the nation’s 46th president, Joe Biden will take multiple executive actions that will undo several of former President Trump’s immigration policies, his

IranBiden to Inherit Trump’s Aggressive Iran Social Media Campaign By Michael Lipin Published 20 January 2021 The incoming Biden administration is inheriting from President Donald Trump an Iran-focused social media campaign that dramatically boosted U.S. engagement with Iranians by sharply criticizing their Islamist rulers, a strategy that President-elect Joe Biden appears set to change.  The incoming

Democracy watchHow Can Corporate Leaders Do More to Defend Democracy? By David J. Scheffer Published 20 January 2021 In the wake of the assault on the U.S. Capitol, corporate leaders have taken a strong stand for democratic institutions. How does this fit into trends of corporate activism, and what comes next? President Donald J. Trump’s provocation

Truth decayMost U.S. Social Studies Teachers Feel Unprepared to Teach Civic Learning, a Gap Contribute to Truth Decay Published 20 January 2021 Only one in five social studies teachers in U.S. public schools report feeling very well prepared to support students’ civic learning, saying they need additional aid with instructional materials, professional development, and training,

ARGUMENT: Anti-social mediaHow Social Media’s Obsession with Scale Supercharged Disinformation Published 20 January 2021 The 6 January siege on the U.S. Capitol building illustrates just how powerful a networked conspiracy can be when it’s amplified through social media. “The attack was the culmination of years of disinformation from President Trump, which ramped up after Biden