Matthew Ford
@warmatters.bsky.social
Saarf-Londoner. Cat Dad. Associate Professor in War Studies at the Swedish Defence University. PhD from KCL. Associate, IWM Institute. Senior fellow at Global & National Security Institute, University of South Florida. ex-West Point fellow. FRHistS.
Pinned
Matthew Ford
@warmatters.bsky.social
· Jan 6
The Disorder Podcast - Listen on YouTube, Spotify - Linktree
View disorderpod’s Linktree to discover and stream music from top platforms like YouTube, Spotify here. Your next favorite track is just a click away!
tr.ee
I was very pleased to join @alexhh.bsky.social & Jason Pack on the @disordershow.bsky.social where I discuss warfare in the smartphone age.
You can hear my episode at tr.ee/ksicr-3Wty
cc: @michaeldwyer.bsky.social @hurstpublishers.bsky.social
You can hear my episode at tr.ee/ksicr-3Wty
cc: @michaeldwyer.bsky.social @hurstpublishers.bsky.social
Brits capacity to think through its grand strategy is just awful.
Migration policy is a case in point.
Migration policy is a case in point.
February 5, 2026 at 12:48 PM
Brits capacity to think through its grand strategy is just awful.
Migration policy is a case in point.
Migration policy is a case in point.
The UK Security Vetting has been broken for a decade.
The 2023 National Audit Office made that clear.
After 14 years of Tory austerity, the level of hollowing out of the UK state is much, much greater than people realise.
www.nao.org.uk/wp-content/u...
The 2023 National Audit Office made that clear.
After 14 years of Tory austerity, the level of hollowing out of the UK state is much, much greater than people realise.
www.nao.org.uk/wp-content/u...
February 5, 2026 at 8:40 AM
The UK Security Vetting has been broken for a decade.
The 2023 National Audit Office made that clear.
After 14 years of Tory austerity, the level of hollowing out of the UK state is much, much greater than people realise.
www.nao.org.uk/wp-content/u...
The 2023 National Audit Office made that clear.
After 14 years of Tory austerity, the level of hollowing out of the UK state is much, much greater than people realise.
www.nao.org.uk/wp-content/u...
Now the World Fact Book has ended, the CIA no longer have to worry about contradicting POTUS’s facts…
www.cia.gov/stories/stor...
www.cia.gov/stories/stor...
Spotlighting The World Factbook as We Bid a Fond Farewell - CIA
www.cia.gov
February 4, 2026 at 10:18 PM
Now the World Fact Book has ended, the CIA no longer have to worry about contradicting POTUS’s facts…
www.cia.gov/stories/stor...
www.cia.gov/stories/stor...
Reposted by Matthew Ford
A thread on civilisational erasure and the price of beer.
Or to save you time, population as a strategic resource and pointing out the policy contradictions in what passes for REFORM UK's "grand strategy"...
1/
Or to save you time, population as a strategic resource and pointing out the policy contradictions in what passes for REFORM UK's "grand strategy"...
1/
February 4, 2026 at 2:48 PM
A thread on civilisational erasure and the price of beer.
Or to save you time, population as a strategic resource and pointing out the policy contradictions in what passes for REFORM UK's "grand strategy"...
1/
Or to save you time, population as a strategic resource and pointing out the policy contradictions in what passes for REFORM UK's "grand strategy"...
1/
A thread on civilisational erasure and the price of beer.
Or to save you time, population as a strategic resource and pointing out the policy contradictions in what passes for REFORM UK's "grand strategy"...
1/
Or to save you time, population as a strategic resource and pointing out the policy contradictions in what passes for REFORM UK's "grand strategy"...
1/
February 4, 2026 at 2:48 PM
A thread on civilisational erasure and the price of beer.
Or to save you time, population as a strategic resource and pointing out the policy contradictions in what passes for REFORM UK's "grand strategy"...
1/
Or to save you time, population as a strategic resource and pointing out the policy contradictions in what passes for REFORM UK's "grand strategy"...
1/
The most sensible thing I’ve seen so far this year!
EXCLUSIVE: EU wants defence data secured without US tech
EXCLUSIVE: EU wants defence data secured without US tech
The European Defence Artificial Intelligence Data Space would allow EU countries to share sensitive defence data
dlvr.it
February 3, 2026 at 8:52 AM
The most sensible thing I’ve seen so far this year!
£20m lol
John Healey launches new fund to accelerate contracts for UK military start-ups, as MoD seeks to diversify away from the industry giants
Def sec says govt must ‘reward risk-takers’ & ‘jump start’ entrepreneurialism in the homegrown defence tech sector
as.ft.com/r/3dd3fb02-f...
Def sec says govt must ‘reward risk-takers’ & ‘jump start’ entrepreneurialism in the homegrown defence tech sector
as.ft.com/r/3dd3fb02-f...
UK launches £20mn fund for military tech start-ups
[FREE TO READ] Defence secretary John Healey wants to help small and mid-sized defence companies win government contracts
as.ft.com
January 27, 2026 at 2:22 PM
£20m lol
Reposted by Matthew Ford
A fascinating discussion on German defence policy. The U.K. defence debate needs to pay a lot more attention to Germany, which is set to eclipse U.K. military influence in Europe. We have taken our leading position for granted and this is at risk.
How Will German Rearmament Shape European Security?
Podcast Episode · Global Security Briefing · 14/01/2026 · 53m
podcasts.apple.com
January 27, 2026 at 9:21 AM
A fascinating discussion on German defence policy. The U.K. defence debate needs to pay a lot more attention to Germany, which is set to eclipse U.K. military influence in Europe. We have taken our leading position for granted and this is at risk.
Reposted by Matthew Ford
Humanitarian efforts are under pressure in an increasingly dangerous Ukraine. Report by @jethronorman.bsky.social shows how organisations grapple with drones, surveillance, and digital threats 👉 www.diis.dk/en/node/28019/
January 27, 2026 at 9:31 AM
Humanitarian efforts are under pressure in an increasingly dangerous Ukraine. Report by @jethronorman.bsky.social shows how organisations grapple with drones, surveillance, and digital threats 👉 www.diis.dk/en/node/28019/
Let’s be bolder Mark. Let’s have a European Army not this Eurospeakease thing called a “European pillar”.
Rutte does of course embody why a European Army won’t happen. The whole way he has framed it is as a duplicate bureaucracy not as the military arm of a superpower.
Rutte does of course embody why a European Army won’t happen. The whole way he has framed it is as a duplicate bureaucracy not as the military arm of a superpower.
Rutte on the idea of a European pillar in NATO. Says it is an "empty word". Positive if it means "division of labour", but "lot of duplication" and "Putin will love it" if it means "a sort of European Defence Force" www.nato.int/en/news-and-...
January 27, 2026 at 9:47 AM
Let’s be bolder Mark. Let’s have a European Army not this Eurospeakease thing called a “European pillar”.
Rutte does of course embody why a European Army won’t happen. The whole way he has framed it is as a duplicate bureaucracy not as the military arm of a superpower.
Rutte does of course embody why a European Army won’t happen. The whole way he has framed it is as a duplicate bureaucracy not as the military arm of a superpower.
Lahore was really good fun. Definitely go visit.
January 26, 2026 at 9:32 PM
Lahore was really good fun. Definitely go visit.
Final panel and I’m listening to Professor Vali Nasr talk about the dramatic changes going on in Iran and what it means for Pakistan.
Nasr’s talk is historically rooted, culturally nuanced and a properly insightful strategic analysis.
Lahore #thinkfest
Nasr’s talk is historically rooted, culturally nuanced and a properly insightful strategic analysis.
Lahore #thinkfest
January 25, 2026 at 1:12 PM
Final panel and I’m listening to Professor Vali Nasr talk about the dramatic changes going on in Iran and what it means for Pakistan.
Nasr’s talk is historically rooted, culturally nuanced and a properly insightful strategic analysis.
Lahore #thinkfest
Nasr’s talk is historically rooted, culturally nuanced and a properly insightful strategic analysis.
Lahore #thinkfest
January 25, 2026 at 12:24 PM
Fantastic panel at the end of the day. I could talk civilisational erasure and Trump’s National Security Strategy.
January 24, 2026 at 3:01 PM
Fantastic panel at the end of the day. I could talk civilisational erasure and Trump’s National Security Strategy.
One more panel for me. On Greenland and Trump. By definition this will be fun!
Pleased to be in Lahore over the weekend talking about European security. Given the events of the last week there will be much to talk about!
January 24, 2026 at 10:49 AM
One more panel for me. On Greenland and Trump. By definition this will be fun!
The new US Defence Strategy is clear. The model partner is Israel. In terms of defence the UK is nowhere near that.
January 24, 2026 at 10:48 AM
The new US Defence Strategy is clear. The model partner is Israel. In terms of defence the UK is nowhere near that.
The Alhamra Arts Center has been a great venue for the Lahore #thinkfest
Comes with fantastic cat and an audience interested in war in the smartphone age!
Comes with fantastic cat and an audience interested in war in the smartphone age!
January 24, 2026 at 10:26 AM
The Alhamra Arts Center has been a great venue for the Lahore #thinkfest
Comes with fantastic cat and an audience interested in war in the smartphone age!
Comes with fantastic cat and an audience interested in war in the smartphone age!
Fun morning talking about connectivity and what it means for war - especially in the context of Pakistan and India with Air Marshal Masood (rtd) and with the fantastic Azeema Cheema.
Lahore #thinkfest
Lahore #thinkfest
January 24, 2026 at 10:20 AM
Fun morning talking about connectivity and what it means for war - especially in the context of Pakistan and India with Air Marshal Masood (rtd) and with the fantastic Azeema Cheema.
Lahore #thinkfest
Lahore #thinkfest
Shalamar Gardens at night…
January 23, 2026 at 3:05 PM
Shalamar Gardens at night…
Switching it up: Jos Gommans talks Mughal military history. It’s a good start.
Why?
Because like all military historians, he starts with a map.
Why?
Because like all military historians, he starts with a map.
January 23, 2026 at 1:09 PM
Switching it up: Jos Gommans talks Mughal military history. It’s a good start.
Why?
Because like all military historians, he starts with a map.
Why?
Because like all military historians, he starts with a map.
The Gaza War panel has brought out the Lahore crowds…
January 23, 2026 at 10:24 AM
The Gaza War panel has brought out the Lahore crowds…
Reposted by Matthew Ford
Lots of great talks here (thanks to @profmurdoch.bsky.social), but may I draw your attention to the event on 1 Apr, where @warmatters.bsky.social and I will be yakking (in Stockholm) about the history of firearms #MilHist #firearmshistory #skystorians
Dear Friends,
Please find in the link below the IMH International Seminar Series programme for the Spring Term 2026. Zoom links to follow, but for now please put these dates in your diary. We look forward to seeing you in person or online.
www.linkedin.com/posts/instit...
🗃️ #MilHist #Skystorians
Please find in the link below the IMH International Seminar Series programme for the Spring Term 2026. Zoom links to follow, but for now please put these dates in your diary. We look forward to seeing you in person or online.
www.linkedin.com/posts/instit...
🗃️ #MilHist #Skystorians
#internationalisation | Institute of Military History (IMH), Swedish Defence University (FHS)
Dear Friends,
Please find below the IMH International Seminar Series for the Spring Term 2026. Zoom links to follow in due course, but for now please put these dates in your diary. We look forward to ...
www.linkedin.com
January 23, 2026 at 7:17 AM
Lots of great talks here (thanks to @profmurdoch.bsky.social), but may I draw your attention to the event on 1 Apr, where @warmatters.bsky.social and I will be yakking (in Stockholm) about the history of firearms #MilHist #firearmshistory #skystorians
Pleased to be in Lahore over the weekend talking about European security. Given the events of the last week there will be much to talk about!
January 22, 2026 at 2:03 PM
Pleased to be in Lahore over the weekend talking about European security. Given the events of the last week there will be much to talk about!
To think me and @guyyeomans.bsky.social did a High North arctic security conference way back in 2011. Fifteen years ahead of the curve!
a teddy bear with the words `` when your ahead of the game '' on it .
ALT: a teddy bear with the words `` when your ahead of the game '' on it .
media.tenor.com
January 22, 2026 at 8:45 AM
To think me and @guyyeomans.bsky.social did a High North arctic security conference way back in 2011. Fifteen years ahead of the curve!
Very much looking forward to being in Lahore over the weekend. Lots to talk about after this week!
January 22, 2026 at 8:39 AM
Very much looking forward to being in Lahore over the weekend. Lots to talk about after this week!