Helen Innes
@softpaws50.bsky.social
Senior Research Fellow working on FIMI. Cat person. WWFC 😢
Reposted by Helen Innes
💥Pro-Russian far-right leader George Simion may have lost Romania’s presidential race, but the online campaign machine behind his rise helped Karol Nawrocki win in Poland—and is now powering the populist Law and Justice’s comeback push.
Check out our new investigation & follow @vsquare.bsky.social!
Check out our new investigation & follow @vsquare.bsky.social!
How Romanians Helped Conservative Brothers in Poland Win Elections - VSquare.org
We go behind the scenes of the “MEGA” movement and reveal European Trumpists between Bucharest and Warsaw.
vsquare.org
December 20, 2025 at 8:06 AM
💥Pro-Russian far-right leader George Simion may have lost Romania’s presidential race, but the online campaign machine behind his rise helped Karol Nawrocki win in Poland—and is now powering the populist Law and Justice’s comeback push.
Check out our new investigation & follow @vsquare.bsky.social!
Check out our new investigation & follow @vsquare.bsky.social!
Reposted by Helen Innes
"Russian strategic culture treats war as a permanent condition, challenging the West’s notion of armed force being limited by international law", writes Beatrice Heuser for CSDS.
Read
csds.vub.be/publication/...
Read
csds.vub.be/publication/...
December 19, 2025 at 7:10 AM
"Russian strategic culture treats war as a permanent condition, challenging the West’s notion of armed force being limited by international law", writes Beatrice Heuser for CSDS.
Read
csds.vub.be/publication/...
Read
csds.vub.be/publication/...
Reposted by Helen Innes
Leader of the 2020 Belarus protests Maria Kolesnikova has been released from prison following talks with the US. No doubt part of the Potash deal.
December 13, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Leader of the 2020 Belarus protests Maria Kolesnikova has been released from prison following talks with the US. No doubt part of the Potash deal.
Reposted by Helen Innes
A chaque fois qu'on sort du cadre des opérations de propagande ("L'Europe est le principal obstacle à la paix en Ukraine"), les stratèges russes continuent d'être très transparents sur leurs ambitions belliqueuses face à l'Europe.
Certains Européens pensent que la guerre entre la Russie et l’Europe n’a pas encore commencé.
Pour le cerveau géopolitique de Poutine, il faut cesser d’être naïf : «Notre véritable adversaire est bien l’Europe.»
Nous traduisons son intervention récente.
legrandcontinent.eu/fr/2025/12/0...
Pour le cerveau géopolitique de Poutine, il faut cesser d’être naïf : «Notre véritable adversaire est bien l’Europe.»
Nous traduisons son intervention récente.
legrandcontinent.eu/fr/2025/12/0...
Selon le proche de Poutine Karaganov, la Russie est en guerre contre l'Europe | Le Grand Continent
En Europe, certains pensent que la guerre entre la Russie et l’Europe n’a pas encore commencé. Pour le cerveau géopolitique de Poutine, il faut cesser d’être naïf : « cette guerre a déjà commencé. Si...
legrandcontinent.eu
December 10, 2025 at 6:40 AM
A chaque fois qu'on sort du cadre des opérations de propagande ("L'Europe est le principal obstacle à la paix en Ukraine"), les stratèges russes continuent d'être très transparents sur leurs ambitions belliqueuses face à l'Europe.
Reposted by Helen Innes
*COVER REVEAL* for Tonight the Music Seems So Loud: The Meaning of George Michael. It has been a dream to spend a year and a half on this subject and I'm excited for people to read the book in 2026. Pre-orders now open for UK and US editions, early signed editions, etc. Link: shorturl.at/qhPlJ
December 2, 2025 at 9:58 AM
*COVER REVEAL* for Tonight the Music Seems So Loud: The Meaning of George Michael. It has been a dream to spend a year and a half on this subject and I'm excited for people to read the book in 2026. Pre-orders now open for UK and US editions, early signed editions, etc. Link: shorturl.at/qhPlJ
Reposted by Helen Innes
New: AI chatbots can change voters' minds, according to a pair of in-depth studies published just now in Science and Nature.
How they do it is interesting — and concerning. Gift link: wapo.st/49RSstP
How they do it is interesting — and concerning. Gift link: wapo.st/49RSstP
Voters’ minds are hard to change. AI chatbots are surprisingly good at it.
New research suggests AI chatbots can shift people’s political views more effectively than campaign ads on TV.
wapo.st
December 4, 2025 at 7:07 PM
New: AI chatbots can change voters' minds, according to a pair of in-depth studies published just now in Science and Nature.
How they do it is interesting — and concerning. Gift link: wapo.st/49RSstP
How they do it is interesting — and concerning. Gift link: wapo.st/49RSstP
Reposted by Helen Innes
Super happy that my friends @katemfitzgerald.bsky.social, @timothyjgraham.bsky.social and I have just published a chapter about conspiracy theories, their formation and persistence on digital platforms. Edited by @ihsanylmz.bsky.social & Shahram Akbarzadeh
www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/oa-...
www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/oa-...
The Persistence of Informational Manipulation and the Appropriation of
This chapter introduces the concepts of conspiratorial publics and conspiratorial canon within the context of Strategic Digital Information Operations (SDIOs)
www.taylorfrancis.com
December 3, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Super happy that my friends @katemfitzgerald.bsky.social, @timothyjgraham.bsky.social and I have just published a chapter about conspiracy theories, their formation and persistence on digital platforms. Edited by @ihsanylmz.bsky.social & Shahram Akbarzadeh
www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/oa-...
www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/oa-...
Reposted by Helen Innes
Pro-Kremlin oligarch Ilan Shor announced the closure of his "social projects" in Moldova
Прокремлевский олигарх Илан Шор заявил о закрытии своих «социальных проектов» в Молдове
Прокремлевский беглый олигарх Илан Шор заявил о закрытии своих «социальных проектов» в Молдове и отказе от поддержки депутатов
theins.ru
December 1, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Pro-Kremlin oligarch Ilan Shor announced the closure of his "social projects" in Moldova
Reposted by Helen Innes
I am pleased to announce that our work “A longitudinal analysis of misinformation, polarization, and toxicity on Bluesky after its public launch” has been accepted at #OSNEM.
The paper is an extension of our previous work presented at #ASONAM.
Don't miss it: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
The paper is an extension of our previous work presented at #ASONAM.
Don't miss it: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
A longitudinal analysis of misinformation, polarization and toxicity on Bluesky after its public launch
Bluesky is a decentralized, Twitter-like social media platform that has rapidly gained popularity. Following an invite-only phase, it officially opene…
www.sciencedirect.com
December 1, 2025 at 12:14 PM
I am pleased to announce that our work “A longitudinal analysis of misinformation, polarization, and toxicity on Bluesky after its public launch” has been accepted at #OSNEM.
The paper is an extension of our previous work presented at #ASONAM.
Don't miss it: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
The paper is an extension of our previous work presented at #ASONAM.
Don't miss it: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Reposted by Helen Innes
Your cat when you're choking to death in your apartment
November 6, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Your cat when you're choking to death in your apartment
Reposted by Helen Innes
Now do the show but only with senior academics.
The Traitors is a very different game when the players are either friends already or in an industry where, if you’re making a project together, you are used to quickly bonding and making fast friends for the duration.
November 7, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Now do the show but only with senior academics.
Reposted by Helen Innes
Updating my LEGO White House
October 23, 2025 at 2:51 AM
Updating my LEGO White House
Reposted by Helen Innes
Given how much the China spy case has dominated headlines, it really does beg the question: why is our political-media class so uninterested in Nathan Gill, his Russian bribes, his once close associate Nigel Farage, and Reform UK?
Our new Byline Times edition investigates what the media won't 👇
Our new Byline Times edition investigates what the media won't 👇
October 17, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Given how much the China spy case has dominated headlines, it really does beg the question: why is our political-media class so uninterested in Nathan Gill, his Russian bribes, his once close associate Nigel Farage, and Reform UK?
Our new Byline Times edition investigates what the media won't 👇
Our new Byline Times edition investigates what the media won't 👇
Reposted by Helen Innes
Who’s driving disinformation in Europe? 🕵️♀️
A new report maps actors across all 27 EU states, featuring insights from our MedDMO members Pantelitsa Leonidou, Megan Mallia & Thanos Sitistas.
📘https://bit.ly/edmo-report
A new report maps actors across all 27 EU states, featuring insights from our MedDMO members Pantelitsa Leonidou, Megan Mallia & Thanos Sitistas.
📘https://bit.ly/edmo-report
October 13, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Who’s driving disinformation in Europe? 🕵️♀️
A new report maps actors across all 27 EU states, featuring insights from our MedDMO members Pantelitsa Leonidou, Megan Mallia & Thanos Sitistas.
📘https://bit.ly/edmo-report
A new report maps actors across all 27 EU states, featuring insights from our MedDMO members Pantelitsa Leonidou, Megan Mallia & Thanos Sitistas.
📘https://bit.ly/edmo-report
Reposted by Helen Innes
Losing the war on woke
Trump is fighting sleep during this antifa roundtable and sleep is gaining the upper hand
October 8, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Losing the war on woke
Reposted by Helen Innes
An array of photos, interviews and videos of Farage and Gill completely debunk Zia Yusuf's claim that "most people in the senior leadership team have never really heard of the guy”. But there's much more 2/12
October 4, 2025 at 1:56 PM
An array of photos, interviews and videos of Farage and Gill completely debunk Zia Yusuf's claim that "most people in the senior leadership team have never really heard of the guy”. But there's much more 2/12
Reposted by Helen Innes
"Das Kapitalubu"
October 2, 2025 at 8:37 AM
"Das Kapitalubu"
Reposted by Helen Innes
1/ NEW REPORT: “We Say You Want a Revolution” - An AI-Enabled Influence Operation Aimed at Overthrowing the Iranian Regime. We call it PRISONBREAK. Keep reading to find out why.
THREAD 🧵
THREAD 🧵
We Say You Want a Revolution: PRISONBREAK - An AI-Enabled Influence Operation Aimed at Overthrowing the Iranian Regime - The Citizen Lab
We investigate a coordinated network of inauthentic X accounts that is spreading AI-generated content to induce revolt in Iran. The network has been active since 2023, but increased activity during th...
https://citizenlab.ca/2025/10/ai-enabled-io-aimed-at-overthrowing-iranian-regime]
October 3, 2025 at 3:32 AM
1/ NEW REPORT: “We Say You Want a Revolution” - An AI-Enabled Influence Operation Aimed at Overthrowing the Iranian Regime. We call it PRISONBREAK. Keep reading to find out why.
THREAD 🧵
THREAD 🧵
Reposted by Helen Innes
BREAKING:
🇲🇩 Moldova parliamentary elections are more important for the Russian state to interfere than these 2024-2025 elections _combined_:
🇺🇸 US, presidential
🇩🇪 Germany, parliamentary
🇵🇱 Poland, presidential
...as measured by an effort spent on a bot network. 🧵
🇲🇩 Moldova parliamentary elections are more important for the Russian state to interfere than these 2024-2025 elections _combined_:
🇺🇸 US, presidential
🇩🇪 Germany, parliamentary
🇵🇱 Poland, presidential
...as measured by an effort spent on a bot network. 🧵
September 19, 2025 at 4:24 PM
BREAKING:
🇲🇩 Moldova parliamentary elections are more important for the Russian state to interfere than these 2024-2025 elections _combined_:
🇺🇸 US, presidential
🇩🇪 Germany, parliamentary
🇵🇱 Poland, presidential
...as measured by an effort spent on a bot network. 🧵
🇲🇩 Moldova parliamentary elections are more important for the Russian state to interfere than these 2024-2025 elections _combined_:
🇺🇸 US, presidential
🇩🇪 Germany, parliamentary
🇵🇱 Poland, presidential
...as measured by an effort spent on a bot network. 🧵
Reposted by Helen Innes
🇬🇧: Another observation, also positive for PAS, is the low turnout in Transnistria, where only about 11,000 voters have cast their ballots (out of roughly 275,000). Historical patterns and political apathy outweigh Russian influence operations and pressure.
September 28, 2025 at 3:22 PM
🇬🇧: Another observation, also positive for PAS, is the low turnout in Transnistria, where only about 11,000 voters have cast their ballots (out of roughly 275,000). Historical patterns and political apathy outweigh Russian influence operations and pressure.
Reposted by Helen Innes
With nearly 97% of votes counted, the pro-European PAS has secured a majority of 54 seats in Moldova’s parliament. Congratulations to the people of Moldova, your future belongs in the EU! 🇲🇩🇪🇺
September 29, 2025 at 3:04 AM
With nearly 97% of votes counted, the pro-European PAS has secured a majority of 54 seats in Moldova’s parliament. Congratulations to the people of Moldova, your future belongs in the EU! 🇲🇩🇪🇺
Reposted by Helen Innes
"For Expertise to Matter, Nonpartisan Institutions Need New Communications Strategies. To avoid irrelevance when they are needed most, experts and nonpartisan analysts must rethink not just their channels of communication but also their theory of influence." carnegieendowment.org/research/202...
For Expertise to Matter, Nonpartisan Institutions Need New Communications Strategies
To avoid irrelevance when they are needed most, experts and nonpartisan analysts must rethink not just their channels of communication but also their theory of influence.
carnegieendowment.org
September 25, 2025 at 8:32 PM
"For Expertise to Matter, Nonpartisan Institutions Need New Communications Strategies. To avoid irrelevance when they are needed most, experts and nonpartisan analysts must rethink not just their channels of communication but also their theory of influence." carnegieendowment.org/research/202...
Reposted by Helen Innes
I’ve heard it say that Nigel Farage has no less than seventeen nipples spread over his chest and back.
I’m, of course, not saying it’s true, but we have no evidence saying otherwise.
It could be true, we just don’t know.
That’s how this works, right?
I’m, of course, not saying it’s true, but we have no evidence saying otherwise.
It could be true, we just don’t know.
That’s how this works, right?
September 25, 2025 at 7:19 AM
I’ve heard it say that Nigel Farage has no less than seventeen nipples spread over his chest and back.
I’m, of course, not saying it’s true, but we have no evidence saying otherwise.
It could be true, we just don’t know.
That’s how this works, right?
I’m, of course, not saying it’s true, but we have no evidence saying otherwise.
It could be true, we just don’t know.
That’s how this works, right?
Reposted by Helen Innes
Reposted by Helen Innes
On the reading list this week 📝. A much needed intervention and framework for “disinformation studies” by @raquelrecuero.bsky.social
A systemic framework for disinformation on social media platforms, by Raquel Recuero @raquelrecuero.bsky.social / Platforms & Society - Sage Journals journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
A systemic framework for disinformation on social media platforms - Raquel Recuero, 2025
This article proposes a systemic perspective for understanding disinformation as a communicative phenomenon embedded in socio-technical environments, particular...
journals.sagepub.com
August 22, 2025 at 9:00 PM
On the reading list this week 📝. A much needed intervention and framework for “disinformation studies” by @raquelrecuero.bsky.social