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.
How successful are we at walking the tightrope? If Starmer goes overseas to tack in the face of the headwinds then he gets it for not sorting out problems at home. They are downsizing & AI is hollowing out language skills at the FCO. Defending Ukraine trumps development. It's a tough wicket!
February 3, 2026 at 10:48 AM
How successful are we at walking the tightrope? If Starmer goes overseas to tack in the face of the headwinds then he gets it for not sorting out problems at home. They are downsizing & AI is hollowing out language skills at the FCO. Defending Ukraine trumps development. It's a tough wicket!
For Pakistan defence tech the question is whether to buy US data centres or Chinese.
They used Chinese tech to take out the Indian airforce last year. Will they have to buy US software to keep everyone happy?
This constant balancing sounds like Britain post-Brexit.
They used Chinese tech to take out the Indian airforce last year. Will they have to buy US software to keep everyone happy?
This constant balancing sounds like Britain post-Brexit.
February 3, 2026 at 10:31 AM
For Pakistan defence tech the question is whether to buy US data centres or Chinese.
They used Chinese tech to take out the Indian airforce last year. Will they have to buy US software to keep everyone happy?
This constant balancing sounds like Britain post-Brexit.
They used Chinese tech to take out the Indian airforce last year. Will they have to buy US software to keep everyone happy?
This constant balancing sounds like Britain post-Brexit.
I start to think that Britain is a bit like Pakistan.
Pakistan has to balance the US and China while facing a threat from India.
The UK has to balance the US and the EU while defending Ukraine.
1/
Pakistan has to balance the US and China while facing a threat from India.
The UK has to balance the US and the EU while defending Ukraine.
1/
February 3, 2026 at 10:31 AM
I start to think that Britain is a bit like Pakistan.
Pakistan has to balance the US and China while facing a threat from India.
The UK has to balance the US and the EU while defending Ukraine.
1/
Pakistan has to balance the US and China while facing a threat from India.
The UK has to balance the US and the EU while defending Ukraine.
1/
The Brits play the role of bridge between the EU & the US. The implication of this balancing manifests itself in this pragmatic but janus faced approach to defence/security/tech. This unwillingness to choose means UK policy constantly tacks between geopolitical headwinds.
February 3, 2026 at 10:26 AM
The Brits play the role of bridge between the EU & the US. The implication of this balancing manifests itself in this pragmatic but janus faced approach to defence/security/tech. This unwillingness to choose means UK policy constantly tacks between geopolitical headwinds.
American commentariat catching up😀
February 2, 2026 at 9:03 AM
American commentariat catching up😀
Consummate bureaucrat, protecting bureaucratic interests even as Trump uses him as a Trojan horse to upend any possibility that Europe might break free from its dependence on US security guarantees.
I can't understand why Europe's security is in a mess. It isn't clear in any way...🤔
I can't understand why Europe's security is in a mess. It isn't clear in any way...🤔
January 27, 2026 at 11:48 AM
Consummate bureaucrat, protecting bureaucratic interests even as Trump uses him as a Trojan horse to upend any possibility that Europe might break free from its dependence on US security guarantees.
I can't understand why Europe's security is in a mess. It isn't clear in any way...🤔
I can't understand why Europe's security is in a mess. It isn't clear in any way...🤔
What I really would have liked to do is see the military ceremony at the Wagah-Attari border gate.
This vid was taken by one of my fellow thinkfest speakers (they went today as I flew home)
This vid was taken by one of my fellow thinkfest speakers (they went today as I flew home)
January 26, 2026 at 9:38 PM
What I really would have liked to do is see the military ceremony at the Wagah-Attari border gate.
This vid was taken by one of my fellow thinkfest speakers (they went today as I flew home)
This vid was taken by one of my fellow thinkfest speakers (they went today as I flew home)
Yes. But you have to pace yourself because it is full on.
January 26, 2026 at 9:35 PM
Yes. But you have to pace yourself because it is full on.
Very sorry to read this. Felix content made the move to Blue much, much easier!
January 26, 2026 at 9:29 PM
Very sorry to read this. Felix content made the move to Blue much, much easier!
In that time Trump can have even more fun!
January 25, 2026 at 8:40 PM
In that time Trump can have even more fun!
Recently I’ve been talking to officials charged with responding to Trump tweets & the fun is that it takes about three hours for tweet to be broadcast to government identifying what the official response ought to be!
January 25, 2026 at 8:39 PM
Recently I’ve been talking to officials charged with responding to Trump tweets & the fun is that it takes about three hours for tweet to be broadcast to government identifying what the official response ought to be!
Of course they’ve put that image out! Of course they have!
I’ve actually met one of the founders of UTSYN so it’s going to be interesting to be on a panel with the Director.
I’ve actually met one of the founders of UTSYN so it’s going to be interesting to be on a panel with the Director.
January 24, 2026 at 11:12 AM
Of course they’ve put that image out! Of course they have!
I’ve actually met one of the founders of UTSYN so it’s going to be interesting to be on a panel with the Director.
I’ve actually met one of the founders of UTSYN so it’s going to be interesting to be on a panel with the Director.