Notes from the Field
Phoenix Challenge London 2025 | March 4 - 6, 2025
Phoenix Challenge® began as a U.S. Department of Defense conference series in 2000. It paused briefly but has returned in full swing to continue to promote, innovate, and advance operations in the information environment and enable actionable outcomes. In 2023 it took place in London, in 2024 it took place in Washington D.C. under the moniker ‘Global Information Conference’, and we are pleased to be back in London for 2025.
Phoenix Challenge® is a Department of Defense conference with oversight from OIOP and part of the larger network of events associated with the DoD Global Information Conference® series.
Value of Attending the Annual Phoenix Challenge Conference
The annual Phoenix Challenge conference provides an unparalleled opportunity for Norwich University students and faculty to engage with leading experts in Information Warfare (IW). Attending this conference ensures that participants gain invaluable insights from high-level professionals with extensive experience, contributing directly to the university’s academic excellence in the field of IW.
Cadet Joshua Hamilton, Information Warfare Intern, Computer Security & Information Assurance
Takeaway: During my recent trip to London, I had the opportunity to immerse myself in the fascinating world of disinformation, specifically in the context of the "Disinformation Kill Chain." This experience has been incredibly eye-opening, offering unique insights into how global experts, governments, and organizations are combatting the increasingly complex problem of disinformation. I strongly believe that students should be sent annually to participate in this event, as it provides a crucial, first-hand understanding of the scale and impact of disinformation, and equips us with the knowledge to address this pressing issue.
One of the highlights of my trip was the chance to meet and hear from a wide range of experts from around the world. I particularly appreciated hearing from Ukrainians who have been directly affected by Russian information attacks. Their personal stories of how disinformation campaigns have impacted not just their country but also their daily lives were both moving and eye-opening. It was a reminder of how disinformation isn't just a digital phenomenon but a deeply personal and political one that can shape national narratives and even lead to real-world consequences.
I also found it extremely valuable to hear from representatives from France about their efforts to combat their own disinformation challenges. Their proactive approach to tackling misinformation in the media and across social networks was an inspiring model of how democratic nations can protect themselves against the corrosive effects of false information. The exchange of ideas and strategies from such different political and cultural perspectives is enlightening.
What made the trip even more rewarding was the ability to experience it all in the historic city of London. The environment, combined with the rich cultural backdrop, made the experience feel much more immersive. The ability to travel and experience a European city for the first time was great. It was fascinating to witness different viewpoints from experts across the globe while also navigating through the heart of one of the world’s most diverse and influential cities.
Attending this event gave me the chance to see first-hand the different strategies, challenges, and opportunities that countries are facing in the fight against disinformation. I believe students must experience this kind of exposure, as it broadens our understanding of the world beyond the classroom. Traveling to London to be part of such a dynamic and urgent conversation allows students to grasp the complexity of disinformation at a global level, and it inspires critical thinking on how we can contribute to the solution.
Day 1, Tuesday, March 4, 2025 | Keynote Speakers
Dr. Sebastian Gorka: Deputy Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Counterterrorism on the National Security Council at the White House.
He discussed the strategic importance of counterterrorism and irregular warfare in combating disinformation.
Luke Pollard, MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces
He spoke about the UK's defense strategy amidst evolving global threats, emphasizing the government's commitment to enhancing defense capabilities and highlighting a significant increase in defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by April 2027, with aspirations to reach 3% in the subsequent Parliament. Pollard underscored the importance of strategic defense reviews to ensure that defense initiatives contribute not only to national security but also to economic growth and prosperity.
Air Vice-Marshal Mark Ridgway, Head of Defense Futures within the Integration Design Authority at Strategic Command
His talk centered on the necessity for adaptive and forward-thinking strategies to counter emerging threats in the information environment. Ridgway discussed the integration of advanced technologies and innovative approaches to maintain a strategic advantage, emphasizing the need for cohesive efforts across various defense sectors to effectively address the challenges posed by disinformation and other modern threats.
Day 1, Tuesday, March 4, 2025 | Panel Discussions
Deterrence: Exploring the Present and Future Threat of Disinformation | Moderator: LtCol James Chandler, PhD, UK Army, Chatham House Fellow | Panelists: Chris Riley: NATO HQ Todd Helmus: RAND Corporation Jacob Udo-Udo Jacob: CIDC, American University in Bulgaria Kathleen Carley: Carnegie Mellon University
This panel delved into the escalating challenges posed by disinformation as a strategic threat. Experts examined how adversaries are leveraging disinformation to influence public opinion, disrupt democratic processes, and undermine societal trust. Discussions highlighted the need for comprehensive deterrence strategies, encompassing policy development, public awareness campaigns, and international collaboration to counter these sophisticated influence operations.
Detection: Detecting, Identifying, Tracking, and Mitigating Disinformation | Moderator: David Cornell, Microsoft Threat Analysis Center | Panelists: David Lynch: Sayari Labs Ryan Campbell: TRM Labs Lisa Kaplan: Alethea
The panel focused on the methodologies and tools essential for combating disinformation and explored advanced techniques for detecting and tracking false narratives. Panelists discussed the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning in identifying disinformation patterns, the importance of cross-sector collaboration, and the development of rapid response mechanisms to mitigate the impact of disinformation campaigns. The session underscored the critical role of technological innovation and shared intelligence in maintaining information integrity.
Day 2, Wednesday, March 5, 2025 | Keynote Speaker
Marie-Doha Besancenot: NATO Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy
She highlighted NATO's efforts in public diplomacy and strategic communication to counter disinformation.
Day 2, Wednesday, March 5, 2025 | Panel Discussions
French Perspectives on the Disinformation Kill Chain French National Defense University | Lieutenant-Colonel Paul Janin (French Army), Lieutenant-colonel Gregory Frutos (French National Gendarmerie) Commandant Francois Grezes-Besset
This session provided insights into France's strategic approach to countering disinformation, emphasizing the importance of public diplomacy and strategic communication.
Strengthening Resilience & Assessments: Promoting Understanding and Effective Resistance | Moderator: Rachael Goodwill, Deputy Director & Head of Counter Information Manipulation Department, FCDO | Panelists: Jacob Coakwell U.S. EUCOM J39 Ben Kessler Meltwater Becky Fair Two-Six Seow Peng Yeo ADMM Cybersecurity and Information CoE
The discussion revolved around methods for evaluating and countering information threats, with the panelists sharing insights on how to build resilience and measure the effectiveness of counter-disinformation efforts through real-world examples.
Current and Future Capabilities: Challenges in Research and Development for OIE & the Role of AI | Moderator: Rory Kinane, Deputy Head, Secretary of State’s Office for Net Assessment and Challenge, UK Ministry of Defense | Panelists: Dr. Jonathan Pfautz Peraton Labs Dr. Victoria Romero U.S. DARPA Paul Burkard Blackbird.ai
Panelists explored the challenges of research and development in this field, highlighting the need for ethical considerations and collaboration between government agencies and private sector companies to address emerging threats.
Countering Disinformation: Breaking the Disinformation Kill Chain | Moderator: Brigadier Rupert Evetts, UK Ministry of Defense | Panelists: Matthew Sheiffer, AFRICOM Ivana Stradner, Foundation for Defense of Democracies Paul M H Buvarp, Norway Defense Research Establishment Dmytro Plieshakov, CEO – Osavul
The panel addressed strategies for breaking the "disinformation kill chain," examining critical intervention points to disrupt the spread of false narratives. Participants shared lessons learned from past experiences, emphasizing a multidisciplinary approach involving military, private sector, and research institutions
Disinformation Rapid-Response: Challenges and Opportunities | Moderator: Lorna Ward, Senior Communications Advisor, LW Ltd. | Panelists: James Heappey, Former UK Minister of State for the Armed Forces Elisabeth Braw, Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council Lt. General Andrew Harrison (Ret), British Army Senior Officer.
The discussion was on rapid-response mechanisms to combat disinformation in real time. Panelists analyzed the importance of intelligence gathering, media partnerships, and swift fact-checking to mitigate the impact of false information, while also reflecting on the successes and challenges of previous response efforts.
Day 3, Thursday, March 6, 2025
We split up and two of us attended the interactive working groups that were aimed at developing actionable strategies to counter disinformation. The other one attended the sessions that covered some additional disinformation topics.
Working Groups and Sessions: Throughout the work groups and sessions, listed below, participants had the opportunity to attend various presentations and engage in subworking groups, fostering a collaborative environment to address the challenges posed by disinformation. These working groups and sessions were designed to facilitate in-depth discussions and the practical exercises, enabled attendees to apply the concepts and strategies they developed during the conference.
This hands-on approach underscored the conference's commitment to not only discussing theoretical aspects of information operations but also developing tangible solutions to enhance resilience against disinformation in real-world scenarios.
Working Groups
OIE Assessments: Participants engaged in discussions to evaluate current Operations in the Information Environment (OIE), focusing on methodologies to assess and enhance the effectiveness of information operations.
Counter-Disinformation Framework: This segment concentrated on developing a structured approach to identify, disrupt, and counteract disinformation campaigns, aiming to establish a comprehensive framework for collaborative efforts.
Sessions
Measuring the Effectiveness of Counter-Influence Operations and Strategic Communications: Lessons from the Russian War Against Ukraine
Sviatoslav Hnizdovskyi , Founder and CEO of OpenMinds, emphasized the need for clear, measurable approaches to assess the efficacy of countering sophisticated information operations, drawing insights from Ukraine's experiences.
Leveraging Cyber-Social Terrain
Dr. John Kelly, Founder and Executive Chairman of Graphika, focused on the evolution of disinformation as a strategic threat. He explored the present and future challenges posed by disinformation, highlighting the importance of understanding and countering these threats.
Ground Truth: Value of On-the-Ground Polling in Assessing Disinformation Impact in Russia
Harry Williams from ORB International discussed the role of artificial intelligence in narrative intelligence and the shift from reactive to proactive resilience against disinformation. He discussed strategies to anticipate and mitigate manipulated narratives before they cause harm.
Accelerating IO Decision Cycles Through Human-AI Teaming and Multi-Agent Systems
Carrick Longley of ZenithFlow spoke about advancements in AI and emerging technologies for Operations in the Information Environment (OIE). He discussed challenges in research and development, including ethical considerations, and highlighted the importance of government and industry collaboration for future capabilities.
Six Case Studies of the Effectiveness of Foreign Malign Influence: Stakeholder Impressions vs. Empirical Analysis
Christopher Paul from the Naval Postgraduate School presented on developing structured approaches to identify, disrupt, and counteract disinformation campaigns. He emphasized the need for comprehensive frameworks for collaborative efforts in countering disinformation.