RSIS Closed-door Webinar: “DRUMS: Distortions, Rumours, Untruths, Misinformation & Smears”
Jānis Sārts In July 2015 Jānis Sārts was appointed by the government of Latvia as a Director of the NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence, based in Riga. The Centre is a multinational, cross – sector organisation which provides comprehensive analysis, advice and practical support to the Alliance and allied nations. As a recognised expert in strategic communications and emerging technologies Jānis Sārts has presented his views to Parliaments of the Federal Republic of Germany, France and Spain. In 2017 He has been invited to testify to the Senate of the United States on Russia’s disinformation aims and practises. He is regular speaker at the international conferences on the subjects of disinformation, social media impacts and national security aspects of emerging technologies. Jānis Sārts began his career in the Ministry of Defence in 1994. In more than 20 years career he has been Policy Director, Head of the Defence Section of Latvia’s Delegation to NATO and EU and Special Advisor to Georgia on defence reforms and NATO integration plans. Until taking up his position at the Center of Exellence he was State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Latvia for seven years (2008 – 2015). During this period his responsibilities included oversight over defence reform, introduction of new capability development programs as well as increasing management efficiency throughout armed forces structures. From 2012 to 2015 J.Sārts was Chair of the National Cyber Security Board. He was responsible for formulating and overseeing the implementation of Latvia’s cyber security policy, as well as increasing Latvia’s resilience from cyberattacks during countries presidency of EU council in 2015. Jānis Sārts holds a degree in History from the University of Latvia, has graduated from the NATO Defence College and has interned at the Swedish Defense Research Agency. He has received numerous state awards for his contribution to defence reforms, fostering Latvia’s membership to NATO and hosting the NATO Summit in Riga.
Dr. Gillian Bolsover is a Lecturer in Politics and Media at the University of Leeds. Dr Bolsover’s research focuses on the impact of new information and communication technologies on political and social life in a variety of political contexts. Dr Bolsover has published peer-reviewed papers examining technology and politics in China (either individually or in comparison with the US) in Information, Communication and Society; Policy and Internet; the Journal of Environmental Planning and Management; and the Asian Journal of Communication. Dr Bolsover has also published about technology and politics in the US 2016 Presidential Election, French 2017 Presidential Election and COVID pandemic in the US, with an under-review article on the 2019 Indian General Election.
Graham Brookie is the director of the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab) based in Washington D.C.The DFRLab is at the forefront of open-source research with a focus on governance, technology, security, social media, and where each intersect. By publishing what it can prove, or disprove, in real-time, the DFRLab is creating a new model of research and education adapted for impact. Prior to joining the DFRLab, Brookie served in various positions at the White House and National Security Council. His most recent role was as an adviser for strategic communications with a focus on digital strategy, audience engagement, and coordinating a cohesive record of former US President Barack Obama’s national security and foreign policy. Previously he served as the adviser to the assistant to the president for homeland security and counterterrorism (APHSCT), the president’s top aide for cybersecurity, counterterrorism, intelligence, and homeland security issues. He also worked in the East Asia, Middle East, and North Africa directorates at the National Security Council. Brookie graduated cum laude with degrees from American University in Washington, DC. He also completed the London School of Economics’ general course.
Veronika Víchová is Deputy Director for Analysis and Head of the Kremlin Watch Program at the European Values Center for Security Policy. She graduated the Masaryk University in Brno. She co-authored a study on how Kremlin propaganda portrays European leaders which was published by The Atlantic Council and an Overview of countermeasures by the EU28 to the Kremlin´s influence operations. She compiles the Kremlin Watch Briefing, a weekly newsletter on disinformation and influence operations for more than 7.000 European experts, journalists and officials. She participated in the Transatlantic Fellowship Program in Washington DC organized by the World Affairs Journal, which she spent at the office of Senator Rob Portman. She has graduated from the New Security Leaders Program 2017.
Moderator
Benjamin Ang is a Senior Fellow and Deputy Head of the Centre of Excellence for National Security (CENS), a constituent unit of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore.
