Foreign malign influencers (FMI) are accelerating narratives around critical minerals, amplifying China's dominance while portraying U.S. policies as ineffective. With China leveraging its supply chain control for economic and geopolitical influence, FMI sources from Russia, Iran, and other aligned entities are actively promoting narratives that undermine U.S. credibility and international partnerships. These narratives strategically target key audiences in Washington, D.C., and Ukraine, using tailored messaging to sow division and weaken Western policy responses. Meanwhile, Western narratives remain fragmented, in a stark contrast to the coordinated nature of malign influence campaigns, leaving policymakers and businesses vulnerable to distorted perceptions of global resource competition.

EdgeTheory's Narrative Intelligence technology provides a powerful solution to detect and respond to these influence operations. By tracking and analyzing the amplification patterns of malign narratives, EdgeTheory reveals the coordinated efforts of FMI and highlights the key themes driving global discourse. Through real-time narrative mapping, intelligence analysts, business leaders, and policymakers gain critical insights into emerging risks, enabling them to respond strategically and maintain decision advantage. EdgeTheory equips organizations with the tools to detect disinformation, assess shifting geopolitical alignments, and develop informed strategies to navigate the evolving information warfare landscape.

China’s aggression against Taiwan is a key step in a broader play to shift the balance of power away from the US and increase China’s regional hegemony, boosting its trans-Pacific influence. China’s priority on regional influence explains the emphasis on information dominance (propaganda, misinformation, and disinformation) which plays a central role in China’s ability to […]

Foreign Malign Influencers (FMI) are increasingly promoting narratives that position China as a global leader in AI technology, particularly in healthcare applications. EdgeTheory's Narrative Intelligence brief reveals a coordinated effort to frame China’s AI advancements as both technologically superior and humanitarian-driven. By analyzing millions of sources, EdgeTheory has identified that these narratives not only originate from Chinese-aligned outlets but are also amplified by Russian, Iranian, and other FMI sources. The reach of these narratives is extensive, targeting Western audiences—particularly in Washington, DC and Switzerland—to influence public perception of China’s role in AI development.

EdgeTheory’s AI models provide real-time intelligence on adversarial information operations, helping analysts uncover coordinated narrative strategies that might otherwise go undetected. By mapping the alignment of FMI sources and tracking their thematic trends, EdgeTheory enables intelligence professionals to assess risks more accurately, detect where malign influence comes from, and respond to misleading narratives before they distort public discourse. With these capabilities, organizations and decision-makers can maintain a strategic advantage in an evolving cognitive warfare landscape, ensuring that influence operations are effectively identified and mitigated.

In 2024, coordinated foreign malign influencer (FMI) campaigns targeting US policies toward Taiwan escalated significantly, with Chinese narratives alone increasing by 60%. EdgeTheory's Narrative Intelligence brief on arms sales to Taiwan highlights how FMI sources, such as RT and Ecns.cn, exploit loaded language like "playing with fire" to depict US actions as provocations. This framing skews perceptions, portraying the US as an instigator while obscuring China's aggressive stance. The analysis reveals that Chinese, Iranian, and Russian sources distribute these narratives almost equally, illustrating a broad, coordinated effort to amplify anti-US sentiment. By tracking the resurgence of such messaging from official statements into widespread misinformation campaigns, EdgeTheory underscores how these narratives influence both regional and global audiences.

EdgeTheory's tools provide actionable insights into this narrative warfare, leveraging multilingual analysis to trace the spread and alignment of misinformation. Through geospatial mapping and real-time tracking, analysts can identify shifts in narrative focus, such as FMI efforts targeting audiences in Beijing and Taipei more than the US. These insights allow stakeholders to anticipate risks, identify potential military provocations, and counteract misleading narratives. EdgeTheory’s platform empowers users to evaluate narrative influence, strategically respond to misinformation, and strengthen public and investor relations. By demonstrating these capabilities, EdgeTheory offers invaluable tools for mitigating the risks posed by global information warfare and ensuring informed decision-making in complex geopolitical environments.

The wildfires in Los Angeles County, California have had devastating consequences for communities, economies, and ecosystems. Yet, amidst the chaos, a less visible threat emerges—foreign malign influencers (FMIs) exploiting these disasters to sow division and manipulate narratives. Foreign Malign Influence (FMI) refers to efforts by foreign governments or entities to manipulate, distort, or exploit information, […]

China’s recent decision to restrict critical mineral exports to the United States has sparked a wave of narratives globally, highlighting the complex interplay of economics, geopolitics, and national security. Unlock the Full Story Behind the Narratives Shaping Global PerceptionsDiscover how US media and foreign malign influencers are framing China's critical mineral restrictions—and why it matters […]

EdgeTheory is thrilled to announce the addition of Doowan Lee as Chief Strategy Officer. With a unique background in information security and AI-driven influence analytics, Lee will be instrumental in driving EdgeTheory’s mission to enhance narrative intelligence capabilities for both government and private sectors.

Today, our Narrative AI highlights technological advancements and societal challenges. These narratives connect themes of military innovation, digital transformation, gun control measures, and the impact of misinformation, highlighting the interplay between technology, governance, and social responsibility in contemporary issues.

Today, our Narrative AI highlights impulsive spending and misinformation. These narratives connect through themes of societal influence, where personal choices, political affiliations, and technological advancements shape public perception and behavior, highlighting the consequences of unchecked authority and consumerism.

Today, our Narrative AI highlights 94 sources in Foreign Malign Influencers  amplifying 676 narrative items relating to the idea that China promotes global cooperation through initiatives aimed at development, security, and human rights. These narratives connect themes of cultural exchange, economic collaboration, and diplomatic engagement, emphasizing China's role in fostering peaceful international relations and mutual prosperity.