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
· Sep 16
Yesterday I was number 2 on the Amazon US best seller list for Military Sciences.
Today I am number 1.
Many thanks to all those who bought a copy. Feedback and comments very welcome!
a.co/d/5TGkwrB
Today I am number 1.
Many thanks to all those who bought a copy. Feedback and comments very welcome!
a.co/d/5TGkwrB
Reposted by Matthew Ford
Next thing they'll tell us that Boris Johnson was a lazy dilettante with no ability to concentrate on anything for more than a few minutes and no ability to make tough decisions.
November 20, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Next thing they'll tell us that Boris Johnson was a lazy dilettante with no ability to concentrate on anything for more than a few minutes and no ability to make tough decisions.
Lovely snowy day in Leiden talking about digital war…
November 20, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Lovely snowy day in Leiden talking about digital war…
And the sooner we get to the finale the better.
Starmer’s squandering of a historic election victory is a tragedy nearing its finale | Rafael Behr
Starmer’s squandering of a historic election victory is a tragedy nearing its finale | Rafael Behr
The tactics that gave Labour its huge majority in 2024 were no preparation for government – and the prime minister has proved he has nothing more to offer, says Guardian columnist Rafael Behr
www.theguardian.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:16 AM
And the sooner we get to the finale the better.
AI will create as many problems as it solves.
Number 1: it can’t deal with tacit knowledge.
Number 2: in a military context tacit knowledge is a HUGE problem. That’s not about trust or ethics. It’s about how we work. And we can’t define how we work - even in a hierarchical place like the military
Number 1: it can’t deal with tacit knowledge.
Number 2: in a military context tacit knowledge is a HUGE problem. That’s not about trust or ethics. It’s about how we work. And we can’t define how we work - even in a hierarchical place like the military
So much of the world’s knowledge hasn’t been digitised… and no chance the world’s tacit knowledge will be codified… yet so much nonsense is built on algorithmic analysis.
November 19, 2025 at 12:40 AM
AI will create as many problems as it solves.
Number 1: it can’t deal with tacit knowledge.
Number 2: in a military context tacit knowledge is a HUGE problem. That’s not about trust or ethics. It’s about how we work. And we can’t define how we work - even in a hierarchical place like the military
Number 1: it can’t deal with tacit knowledge.
Number 2: in a military context tacit knowledge is a HUGE problem. That’s not about trust or ethics. It’s about how we work. And we can’t define how we work - even in a hierarchical place like the military
The problem with the armed forces is that they have no concept of tacit knowledge. They can’t deal with the idea of institutional memory and are even less willing to deal with the possibility that institutions purposefully forget.
AI nonsense.
AI nonsense.
So much of the world’s knowledge hasn’t been digitised… and no chance the world’s tacit knowledge will be codified… yet so much nonsense is built on algorithmic analysis.
November 18, 2025 at 9:31 PM
The problem with the armed forces is that they have no concept of tacit knowledge. They can’t deal with the idea of institutional memory and are even less willing to deal with the possibility that institutions purposefully forget.
AI nonsense.
AI nonsense.
So much of the world’s knowledge hasn’t been digitised… and no chance the world’s tacit knowledge will be codified… yet so much nonsense is built on algorithmic analysis.
November 18, 2025 at 9:25 PM
So much of the world’s knowledge hasn’t been digitised… and no chance the world’s tacit knowledge will be codified… yet so much nonsense is built on algorithmic analysis.
Reposted by Matthew Ford
I am very pleased to say that the audiobook of War in the Smartphone Age is published today.
I have listened to the free 5 mins & want to thank @liamgerrard.bsky.social for his excellent narration!
cc: @hurstpublishers.bsky.social @greyhoundliterary.bsky.social
amzn.eu/d/4N7WM72
I have listened to the free 5 mins & want to thank @liamgerrard.bsky.social for his excellent narration!
cc: @hurstpublishers.bsky.social @greyhoundliterary.bsky.social
amzn.eu/d/4N7WM72
War in the Smartphone Age: Conflict, Connectivity and the Crises at Our Fingertips (Audio Download): Matthew Ford, Liam Gerrard, Tantor Media: Amazon.co.uk: Audible Books & Originals
War in the Smartphone Age: Conflict, Connectivity and the Crises at Our Fingertips (Audio Download): Matthew Ford, Liam Gerrard, Tantor Media: Amazon.co.uk: Audible Books & Originals
amzn.eu
November 18, 2025 at 11:25 AM
I am very pleased to say that the audiobook of War in the Smartphone Age is published today.
I have listened to the free 5 mins & want to thank @liamgerrard.bsky.social for his excellent narration!
cc: @hurstpublishers.bsky.social @greyhoundliterary.bsky.social
amzn.eu/d/4N7WM72
I have listened to the free 5 mins & want to thank @liamgerrard.bsky.social for his excellent narration!
cc: @hurstpublishers.bsky.social @greyhoundliterary.bsky.social
amzn.eu/d/4N7WM72
The Centre for Army Leadership have their AI and its effects on leadership conference today.
Unfortunately, large parts of the internet are not working. Bodes well for moving defence decision making into the cloud...
😇
Unfortunately, large parts of the internet are not working. Bodes well for moving defence decision making into the cloud...
😇
November 18, 2025 at 2:30 PM
The Centre for Army Leadership have their AI and its effects on leadership conference today.
Unfortunately, large parts of the internet are not working. Bodes well for moving defence decision making into the cloud...
😇
Unfortunately, large parts of the internet are not working. Bodes well for moving defence decision making into the cloud...
😇
I am very pleased to say that the audiobook of War in the Smartphone Age is published today.
I have listened to the free 5 mins & want to thank @liamgerrard.bsky.social for his excellent narration!
cc: @hurstpublishers.bsky.social @greyhoundliterary.bsky.social
amzn.eu/d/4N7WM72
I have listened to the free 5 mins & want to thank @liamgerrard.bsky.social for his excellent narration!
cc: @hurstpublishers.bsky.social @greyhoundliterary.bsky.social
amzn.eu/d/4N7WM72
War in the Smartphone Age: Conflict, Connectivity and the Crises at Our Fingertips (Audio Download): Matthew Ford, Liam Gerrard, Tantor Media: Amazon.co.uk: Audible Books & Originals
War in the Smartphone Age: Conflict, Connectivity and the Crises at Our Fingertips (Audio Download): Matthew Ford, Liam Gerrard, Tantor Media: Amazon.co.uk: Audible Books & Originals
amzn.eu
November 18, 2025 at 11:25 AM
I am very pleased to say that the audiobook of War in the Smartphone Age is published today.
I have listened to the free 5 mins & want to thank @liamgerrard.bsky.social for his excellent narration!
cc: @hurstpublishers.bsky.social @greyhoundliterary.bsky.social
amzn.eu/d/4N7WM72
I have listened to the free 5 mins & want to thank @liamgerrard.bsky.social for his excellent narration!
cc: @hurstpublishers.bsky.social @greyhoundliterary.bsky.social
amzn.eu/d/4N7WM72
Books and dusty archives, who needs those in the stuck in the forever-present world of AI.
Come on Britain, put repairing the pot holes in perspective and also get the British Library back on its feet!
Come on Britain, put repairing the pot holes in perspective and also get the British Library back on its feet!
November 18, 2025 at 8:34 AM
Books and dusty archives, who needs those in the stuck in the forever-present world of AI.
Come on Britain, put repairing the pot holes in perspective and also get the British Library back on its feet!
Come on Britain, put repairing the pot holes in perspective and also get the British Library back on its feet!
Miserable
Labour’s asylum plans are horribly cruel – but they’re also a mix of hype, old policy and unachievable promises | Diane Taylor
Labour’s asylum plans are horribly cruel – but they’re also a mix of hype, old policy and unachievable promises | Diane Taylor
There is mounting disquiet among Labour MPs, while the vulnerable refugees at the heart of this story are living with a renewed sense of panic, says Diane Taylor, who writes on human rights, racism and civil liberties
www.theguardian.com
November 17, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Miserable
Clearly not footie fans…
Kristi Noem on FIFA tourists: "Then they would go home. And go home in a timely manner."
November 17, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Clearly not footie fans…
Reposted by Matthew Ford
Off you fuck, then.
🗣️ "I’m worth £780m at 37 — and I’m leaving Britain for Dubai"
Herman Narula, founder of Improbable, doubts he’ll be the last tech entrepreneur to depart
Herman Narula, founder of Improbable, doubts he’ll be the last tech entrepreneur to depart
I’m worth £780m at 37 — and I’m leaving Britain for Dubai
Herman Narula, founder of Improbable, doubts he’ll be the last tech entrepreneur to leave the UK
www.thetimes.com
November 16, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Off you fuck, then.
So great Brexit worked. GDP down. Trade in goods down. Tax revenue down.
Still, v pleased we have a sovereign but poor govt now.
So smart for people to double down on their Brexit investment, vote REFUK & properly destroy the UK economy by getting rid of clever migrants. 👍💪
Still, v pleased we have a sovereign but poor govt now.
So smart for people to double down on their Brexit investment, vote REFUK & properly destroy the UK economy by getting rid of clever migrants. 👍💪
November 15, 2025 at 11:53 PM
So great Brexit worked. GDP down. Trade in goods down. Tax revenue down.
Still, v pleased we have a sovereign but poor govt now.
So smart for people to double down on their Brexit investment, vote REFUK & properly destroy the UK economy by getting rid of clever migrants. 👍💪
Still, v pleased we have a sovereign but poor govt now.
So smart for people to double down on their Brexit investment, vote REFUK & properly destroy the UK economy by getting rid of clever migrants. 👍💪
Reposted by Matthew Ford
Time to reshare this piece on the pitfalls of following the road Denmark has taken on immigration: ukandeu.ac.uk/denmarks-mig...
November 8, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Time to reshare this piece on the pitfalls of following the road Denmark has taken on immigration: ukandeu.ac.uk/denmarks-mig...
Reposted by Matthew Ford
“There are some people who hate London, and hate New York,” Mayor Sadiq Khan told me, on Bloomberg TV. “There's a reason why they demonize London, and now, indeed, New York. Why? Because we are progressive cities. We are liberal cities. We are multicultural cities. And we are incredibly successful.”
November 3, 2025 at 7:51 PM
“There are some people who hate London, and hate New York,” Mayor Sadiq Khan told me, on Bloomberg TV. “There's a reason why they demonize London, and now, indeed, New York. Why? Because we are progressive cities. We are liberal cities. We are multicultural cities. And we are incredibly successful.”
Reposted by Matthew Ford
"The state’s exclusive control over the legitimate use of force is quietly eroding—apparently with its own consent."
Eroding Sovereignty in the Age of “War as a Service”. An op-ed opinion piece I wrote with @rbarretttaylor.bsky.social for @opiniojuris.bsky.social
opiniojuris.org/2025/11/03/e...
Eroding Sovereignty in the Age of “War as a Service”. An op-ed opinion piece I wrote with @rbarretttaylor.bsky.social for @opiniojuris.bsky.social
opiniojuris.org/2025/11/03/e...
Eroding Sovereignty in the Age of “War as a Service”
[Dr Rupert Barrett-Taylor is a Research Fellow at the Alan Turing Institute focused on the ethical, operational, and epistemological implications of Artificial Intelligence in military operations. …
opiniojuris.org
November 3, 2025 at 4:27 PM
"The state’s exclusive control over the legitimate use of force is quietly eroding—apparently with its own consent."
Eroding Sovereignty in the Age of “War as a Service”. An op-ed opinion piece I wrote with @rbarretttaylor.bsky.social for @opiniojuris.bsky.social
opiniojuris.org/2025/11/03/e...
Eroding Sovereignty in the Age of “War as a Service”. An op-ed opinion piece I wrote with @rbarretttaylor.bsky.social for @opiniojuris.bsky.social
opiniojuris.org/2025/11/03/e...
"The state’s exclusive control over the legitimate use of force is quietly eroding—apparently with its own consent."
Eroding Sovereignty in the Age of “War as a Service”. An op-ed opinion piece I wrote with @rbarretttaylor.bsky.social for @opiniojuris.bsky.social
opiniojuris.org/2025/11/03/e...
Eroding Sovereignty in the Age of “War as a Service”. An op-ed opinion piece I wrote with @rbarretttaylor.bsky.social for @opiniojuris.bsky.social
opiniojuris.org/2025/11/03/e...
Eroding Sovereignty in the Age of “War as a Service”
[Dr Rupert Barrett-Taylor is a Research Fellow at the Alan Turing Institute focused on the ethical, operational, and epistemological implications of Artificial Intelligence in military operations. …
opiniojuris.org
November 3, 2025 at 4:27 PM
"The state’s exclusive control over the legitimate use of force is quietly eroding—apparently with its own consent."
Eroding Sovereignty in the Age of “War as a Service”. An op-ed opinion piece I wrote with @rbarretttaylor.bsky.social for @opiniojuris.bsky.social
opiniojuris.org/2025/11/03/e...
Eroding Sovereignty in the Age of “War as a Service”. An op-ed opinion piece I wrote with @rbarretttaylor.bsky.social for @opiniojuris.bsky.social
opiniojuris.org/2025/11/03/e...
Reposted by Matthew Ford
Twice in one day! Opinio Juris has published a piece written by @warmatters.bsky.social and I. We are deeply concerned by the erosion of Weberian sovereignty from encroachment of the private sector into control and mediation of violence. Please do read and share!
opiniojuris.org/2025/11/03/e...
opiniojuris.org/2025/11/03/e...
Eroding Sovereignty in the Age of “War as a Service”
[Dr Rupert Barrett-Taylor is a Research Fellow at the Alan Turing Institute focused on the ethical, operational, and epistemological implications of Artificial Intelligence in military operations. …
opiniojuris.org
November 3, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Twice in one day! Opinio Juris has published a piece written by @warmatters.bsky.social and I. We are deeply concerned by the erosion of Weberian sovereignty from encroachment of the private sector into control and mediation of violence. Please do read and share!
opiniojuris.org/2025/11/03/e...
opiniojuris.org/2025/11/03/e...
Reposted by Matthew Ford
I finally have a peer-reviewed publication to my name! I'd appreciate it if you all would be kind enough to read and share. I'm trying to comment on the reductive nature of the 'apex' form of techno-process driven war that seems to be the limit of martial imagination.
doi.org/10.1057/s429...
doi.org/10.1057/s429...
The reductive nature of military process - Digital War
Modern warfare is a reductive pursuit shaped by digital technologies that promise an idealised, precise conflict. Martial cultures aspire to hyper-surveillance systems driven by advanced technologies ...
doi.org
November 3, 2025 at 1:33 PM
I finally have a peer-reviewed publication to my name! I'd appreciate it if you all would be kind enough to read and share. I'm trying to comment on the reductive nature of the 'apex' form of techno-process driven war that seems to be the limit of martial imagination.
doi.org/10.1057/s429...
doi.org/10.1057/s429...
How are you unwittingly involved in your own surveillance? @byrontau.bsky.social's interesting discussion of his book Means of Control, explains how.
@andrewhoskins.bsky.social & I discussed data surveillance in the context of war in our 2022 book Radical War.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iT3s...
@andrewhoskins.bsky.social & I discussed data surveillance in the context of war in our 2022 book Radical War.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iT3s...
Means of Control, Byron Tau book talk and discussion
YouTube video by Patrick Smith
www.youtube.com
November 3, 2025 at 10:25 AM
How are you unwittingly involved in your own surveillance? @byrontau.bsky.social's interesting discussion of his book Means of Control, explains how.
@andrewhoskins.bsky.social & I discussed data surveillance in the context of war in our 2022 book Radical War.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iT3s...
@andrewhoskins.bsky.social & I discussed data surveillance in the context of war in our 2022 book Radical War.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iT3s...
Pleased to be talking with @patrickbriansmith.bsky.social and Miglė Bareikytė about my book at @salforduni.bsky.social' Emergent Nonfiction Lab on 3 December at 16:00 Stockholm time.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/war-in-the...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/war-in-the...
War in the Smartphone Age, book talk and discussion with Matthew Ford
Matthew Ford on his new book War in the Smartphone Age: Conflict, Connectivity and the Crises at Our Fingertips + respondent Miglė Bareikytė
www.eventbrite.co.uk
November 3, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Pleased to be talking with @patrickbriansmith.bsky.social and Miglė Bareikytė about my book at @salforduni.bsky.social' Emergent Nonfiction Lab on 3 December at 16:00 Stockholm time.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/war-in-the...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/war-in-the...
AWS cloud goes down just as Amazon is spending $100bn in 2025 on compute power. At the same time they’re letting go 30k staff, including many at AWS. So AWS are expanding compute power while replacing software engineers with AI? 🤔 www.planetearthandbeyond.co/p/amazon-jus...
Amazon Just Proved AI Isn't The Answer Yet Again
You would think they would learn their lesson. But nope!
www.planetearthandbeyond.co
November 2, 2025 at 6:54 AM
AWS cloud goes down just as Amazon is spending $100bn in 2025 on compute power. At the same time they’re letting go 30k staff, including many at AWS. So AWS are expanding compute power while replacing software engineers with AI? 🤔 www.planetearthandbeyond.co/p/amazon-jus...