Middle East
Wed, Jul 5, 2023
Saudi Arabia’s execution of two Bahrainis sparks competing hashtags on Twitter
Arabic hashtag condemning the execution significantly more popular than hashtag supporting the execution
by Dina Sadek
Wed, Jun 28, 2023
Yevgeny Prigozhin: A history of violence and propaganda around the world
Yevgeny Prigozhin captured global attention with his mutiny in Russia; the DFRLab has tracked his efforts around the world for over half a decade.
Wed, May 31, 2023
Pro-government Twitter accounts push hashtag promoting Egypt’s support for human rights
Twitter accounts identified as part of a network promoting pro-government content initiated a hashtag in support of government actions
by Dina Sadek
Fri, May 19, 2023
Reports of alleged weapons deal between Egypt and Russia heighten conspiracy theories on Arabic social media
Leaked US intelligence document alleging secret weapons deal between Egypt and Russia sparks conspiracy theories about America’s interests in Egypt
by Dina Sadek
Thu, May 4, 2023
Jordan’s digital crackdowns target media and human rights activists
Jordanian authorities monitor and harass journalists and activists to control the information environment
by Dina Sadek
Thu, Apr 27, 2023
Iran-linked website targets Georgia’s ethnic Azerbaijani community with anti-West content
Iran-based website aimed at ethnic Azerbaijanis in Georgia publishes narratives supporting Russia and Hezbollah
by Sopo Gelava
Fri, Apr 21, 2023
State-controlled media experience sudden Twitter gains after unannounced platform policy change
Twitter accounts run by Russia’s RT, China’s CGTN and Iran’s PressTV suddenly began to gain followers; Twitter acknowledged a change in policy regarding state media accounts three weeks later
by Alyssa Kann
Wed, Apr 5, 2023
Anti-LGBTQ+ campaigns spread on Arabic social media
The World Cup fueled online and offline campaigns promoting anti-LGBTQ sentiment and hateful rhetoric
by Dina Sadek
Mon, Mar 27, 2023
How pro-Russia and pro-China influencers cross-promote state narratives
Influencers critical of the West have formed a mutually beneficial community on Twitter, amplifying Russian and Chinese state narratives on a range of issues
Fri, Mar 24, 2023
Russia-friendly media outlets in Global South frame French anti-government protest as anti-NATO
Russian state media coverage of protest in Paris picked up by outlets across the Global South
Thu, Mar 23, 2023
Egyptian Twitter network amplifies pro-government hashtags, attacks fact-checkers
Twitter network targeted the fact-checking organization Saheeh Masr while also promoting the Egyptian government and military
Thu, Mar 23, 2023
Suspicious Twitter accounts promote hashtag attacking Egyptian human rights defender
Veteran activist George Ishak targeted by disinformation campaign after criticizing Egyptian government
