Matthew Ford
@warmatters.bsky.social
Saarf-Londoner. Cat Dad. Assoc Prof at the Swedish Defence University. PhD from KCL. Associate, IWM Institute. Senior fellow at Global & National Security Institute, Uni of South Florida. ex-West Point fellow. FRHistS. Series editor @Hurst Publishers
Pinned
Technology/Data/War Series | Hurst Publishers
21st-century war is fought on a battlefield where digital technologies, data surveillance, and algorithmic decision-making shape everyday experience. Tech giants and systems developers are scripting t...
www.hurstpublishers.com
I am very pleased to say that I am now a book series editor for a new @hurstpublishers.bsky.social series called Technology/Data/War.
The first book in the series is by the formidable
@olivierschmitt.bsky.social.
More on the series here: www.hurstpublishers.com/category/ser...
.
The first book in the series is by the formidable
@olivierschmitt.bsky.social.
More on the series here: www.hurstpublishers.com/category/ser...
.
Just received the Spanish proofs to my book War in the Smartphone Age, or rather…
😀
😀
February 19, 2026 at 11:41 AM
Just received the Spanish proofs to my book War in the Smartphone Age, or rather…
😀
😀
In 2016 I argued against Brexit for a variety of reasons, one of which was that it would shrink the economy and thus make it harder to find the money to rebuild UK defence. Given the collapsing security order anything that undermined GDP would therefore be geopolitical suicide.
I am not an economist but would someone who is help me to understand what's going on with these two statements.
CEPR recently published a report that documented the Brexit effect costing 6-8% of GDP.
Meanwhile Prof David Paton uses an OBR report to show that post-Brexit trade has grown.
1/
CEPR recently published a report that documented the Brexit effect costing 6-8% of GDP.
Meanwhile Prof David Paton uses an OBR report to show that post-Brexit trade has grown.
1/
February 19, 2026 at 10:25 AM
In 2016 I argued against Brexit for a variety of reasons, one of which was that it would shrink the economy and thus make it harder to find the money to rebuild UK defence. Given the collapsing security order anything that undermined GDP would therefore be geopolitical suicide.
I am not an economist but would someone who is help me to understand what's going on with these two statements.
CEPR recently published a report that documented the Brexit effect costing 6-8% of GDP.
Meanwhile Prof David Paton uses an OBR report to show that post-Brexit trade has grown.
1/
CEPR recently published a report that documented the Brexit effect costing 6-8% of GDP.
Meanwhile Prof David Paton uses an OBR report to show that post-Brexit trade has grown.
1/
February 19, 2026 at 10:19 AM
I am not an economist but would someone who is help me to understand what's going on with these two statements.
CEPR recently published a report that documented the Brexit effect costing 6-8% of GDP.
Meanwhile Prof David Paton uses an OBR report to show that post-Brexit trade has grown.
1/
CEPR recently published a report that documented the Brexit effect costing 6-8% of GDP.
Meanwhile Prof David Paton uses an OBR report to show that post-Brexit trade has grown.
1/
The UK MOD Defence Investment Plan is a bit of fun isn’t it?!
What chances that there are cuts presented as increases just before the May local elections?
What chances that there are cuts presented as increases just before the May local elections?
February 17, 2026 at 11:30 PM
The UK MOD Defence Investment Plan is a bit of fun isn’t it?!
What chances that there are cuts presented as increases just before the May local elections?
What chances that there are cuts presented as increases just before the May local elections?
Reposted by Matthew Ford
That the banking sector is taking this sort of threat seriously should be a wake up call for defence @warmatters.bsky.social
An age of insecurity reflected in so many stories today... sometimes tipping over into fear... starting with a story that I first heard last year, fears for other economies if a Trump administration tampered with payment systems... www.theguardian.com/business/202...
UK bank bosses plan to set up Visa and Mastercard alternative amid Trump fears
Exclusive: First meeting to be held over domestic payments system aimed at reducing reliance on US networks
www.theguardian.com
February 17, 2026 at 7:58 AM
That the banking sector is taking this sort of threat seriously should be a wake up call for defence @warmatters.bsky.social
This line is very interesting, given the Ukr strategic decision to prohibit retreat, "...some commanders simply misreport their positions as defense proves unsustainable in the face of constant Russian assaults."
I doubt battlefield transparency can overcome this.
1/
I doubt battlefield transparency can overcome this.
1/
Happy to share the latest. My views on the current battlefield dynamics and where the war stands in 2026. Happy to share the latest. www.foreignaffairs.com/russia/ukrai...
Ukraine’s War of Endurance
The fight for advantage in the conflict’s fifth year.
www.foreignaffairs.com
February 17, 2026 at 10:49 AM
This line is very interesting, given the Ukr strategic decision to prohibit retreat, "...some commanders simply misreport their positions as defense proves unsustainable in the face of constant Russian assaults."
I doubt battlefield transparency can overcome this.
1/
I doubt battlefield transparency can overcome this.
1/
For Britain's grand strategists this is not a defence problem.
This is a Treasury problem.
🙄
This is a Treasury problem.
🙄
Given budgetary constraints in the UK and France, I expect more stories like this going forward.
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
European allies ‘frustrated’ by UK defense paralysis
The U.K. rearmament efforts are hobbled by the country’s fiscal difficulties, which is angering the arms industry.
www.politico.eu
February 15, 2026 at 7:00 PM
For Britain's grand strategists this is not a defence problem.
This is a Treasury problem.
🙄
This is a Treasury problem.
🙄
Reposted by Matthew Ford
MOST READ:
Look up at the skyscrapers and look down at the buzz of a city full of young workers, and you see something occasionally elusive in Britain, a city full of growth and optimism.
In the week of more sluggish UK growth figures, for Radio 4’s In Other News…
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Look up at the skyscrapers and look down at the buzz of a city full of young workers, and you see something occasionally elusive in Britain, a city full of growth and optimism.
In the week of more sluggish UK growth figures, for Radio 4’s In Other News…
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Could Manchester be a model for the UK to kickstart growth?
With an annual growth rate of 3.1%, Manchester's economy has performed twice as well as that of the UK as a whole.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 15, 2026 at 9:45 AM
MOST READ:
Look up at the skyscrapers and look down at the buzz of a city full of young workers, and you see something occasionally elusive in Britain, a city full of growth and optimism.
In the week of more sluggish UK growth figures, for Radio 4’s In Other News…
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Look up at the skyscrapers and look down at the buzz of a city full of young workers, and you see something occasionally elusive in Britain, a city full of growth and optimism.
In the week of more sluggish UK growth figures, for Radio 4’s In Other News…
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Matthew Ford
1 A depressing read. It identifies the general sense of gloom and despair allowing a far right party with fascistic policies, deep rooted corruption and close links with Putin possibly to get in power. But it also identifies where the rot set in:
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
We asked UK voters to name a cause for optimism. Tumbleweed
Some say apathy is a gift for populists, but the emotions I heard from people on my local election road trip are dangerous for Reform too
www.thetimes.com
February 15, 2026 at 8:37 AM
1 A depressing read. It identifies the general sense of gloom and despair allowing a far right party with fascistic policies, deep rooted corruption and close links with Putin possibly to get in power. But it also identifies where the rot set in:
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
“he was trying to make sense of why there hadn’t been a socialist or communist revolution in Italy before the fascist takeover”
One reason the revolution didn’t take off was because the pre-cursor to MI6 was financially backing Mussolini (at least during the FWW)
One reason the revolution didn’t take off was because the pre-cursor to MI6 was financially backing Mussolini (at least during the FWW)
“Monsters are something exceptional, an inverted miracle that comes out of nowhere with no real explanation,” Thomas said. “It’s a metaphor that shuts off the possibility of trying to think through what is occurring.”
‘The time of monsters’: everyone is quoting Gramsci – but what did he actually say?
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...
February 14, 2026 at 3:22 PM
“he was trying to make sense of why there hadn’t been a socialist or communist revolution in Italy before the fascist takeover”
One reason the revolution didn’t take off was because the pre-cursor to MI6 was financially backing Mussolini (at least during the FWW)
One reason the revolution didn’t take off was because the pre-cursor to MI6 was financially backing Mussolini (at least during the FWW)
I think I preferred it when JD came over and just harangued everyone. Much more entertaining style of pitch for president than Rubio’s zzzzz “sensible MAGA” approach.
There will be people who are understandably desperate to hear this, but it's important to be clear-eyed about Rubio himself and what the Trump administration is doing. 🧵
February 14, 2026 at 2:35 PM
I think I preferred it when JD came over and just harangued everyone. Much more entertaining style of pitch for president than Rubio’s zzzzz “sensible MAGA” approach.
Sums it up nicely👇
He clumsily read his speech from the page without hardly looking up and told everyone in the room to follow the US's lead or suck it. He accused Europe of managed decline by not being racist enough, and if it doesn't fall in line then America won't be there for it. Not sure how reassuring that is.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a calm and reassuring message to America's allies in Munich, after more than a year of President Donald Trump's often-hostile rhetoric toward allies. n.pr/4qHYOAJ
February 14, 2026 at 1:57 PM
Sums it up nicely👇
Reposted by Matthew Ford
Palantir, Deloitte, and the private prison giant GEO Group took in more than $22 billion from ICE and CBP last year. Behind the spreadsheets and contracts, there's a quieter truth: someone is getting rich from cages, borders, and human pain. Profit has always been fluent in the language of cruelty.
Companies reap $22bn from Trump’s immigration crackdown
Palantir and Deloitte among beneficiaries of spending by government agencies
www.ft.com
February 7, 2026 at 11:20 PM
Palantir, Deloitte, and the private prison giant GEO Group took in more than $22 billion from ICE and CBP last year. Behind the spreadsheets and contracts, there's a quieter truth: someone is getting rich from cages, borders, and human pain. Profit has always been fluent in the language of cruelty.
“All providers go through a rigorous, competitive procurement process in line with Government legislation”
Except when it is the MOD and they don’t go to competition and Palantir secured a £240m tender.
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
Except when it is the MOD and they don’t go to competition and Palantir secured a £240m tender.
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
NHS deal with AI firm Palantir called into question after officials’ concerns revealed
Exclusive: in 2025 briefing to Wes Streeting, officials warned reputation of tech firm behind US ICE operations would hinder rollout of data system in UK
www.theguardian.com
February 14, 2026 at 11:49 AM
“All providers go through a rigorous, competitive procurement process in line with Government legislation”
Except when it is the MOD and they don’t go to competition and Palantir secured a £240m tender.
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
Except when it is the MOD and they don’t go to competition and Palantir secured a £240m tender.
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
Reposted by Matthew Ford
that's how we are feeling in the Netherlands. Sorry for dumping him on the rest of you though.
February 14, 2026 at 8:54 AM
that's how we are feeling in the Netherlands. Sorry for dumping him on the rest of you though.
Reposted by Matthew Ford
Hereditary coal baron responsible for the biggest banking collapse in the UK ever says what?
February 14, 2026 at 7:13 AM
Hereditary coal baron responsible for the biggest banking collapse in the UK ever says what?
Nadim won’t like this fact based article in The Economist that completely debunks the ridiculous claims being made by nutty accounts on X (& from the Reform Party) www.economist.com/britain/2026...
February 14, 2026 at 8:45 AM
Nadim won’t like this fact based article in The Economist that completely debunks the ridiculous claims being made by nutty accounts on X (& from the Reform Party) www.economist.com/britain/2026...
I wish Mark Rutte had just retired.
February 14, 2026 at 8:38 AM
I wish Mark Rutte had just retired.
Reposted by Matthew Ford
Farage is clearly misleading the public.
The main reason that net migration fell by 445,000 (year to June 2025 it was 205k, having been 649k a year before) is that immigration fell by 401,000.
The BBC should fact-check/verify and report that this was untrue.
The main reason that net migration fell by 445,000 (year to June 2025 it was 205k, having been 649k a year before) is that immigration fell by 401,000.
The BBC should fact-check/verify and report that this was untrue.
February 13, 2026 at 4:02 PM
Farage is clearly misleading the public.
The main reason that net migration fell by 445,000 (year to June 2025 it was 205k, having been 649k a year before) is that immigration fell by 401,000.
The BBC should fact-check/verify and report that this was untrue.
The main reason that net migration fell by 445,000 (year to June 2025 it was 205k, having been 649k a year before) is that immigration fell by 401,000.
The BBC should fact-check/verify and report that this was untrue.
Reposted by Matthew Ford
ICYMI: "Nigel Farage’s party refused to attend the Russian interference debate, called after more than 100,000 people signed a petition demanding a public inquiry into Russian interference in British politics"
bylinetimes.com/2026/02/10/r...
bylinetimes.com/2026/02/10/r...
Reform MPs Accused of Pandering to Putin After Skipping Russian Interference Debate
Nigel Farage's party refused to attend the debate, called after more than 100,000 people signed a petition demanding a public inquiry into Russian interference in British politics
bylinetimes.com
February 14, 2026 at 8:13 AM
ICYMI: "Nigel Farage’s party refused to attend the Russian interference debate, called after more than 100,000 people signed a petition demanding a public inquiry into Russian interference in British politics"
bylinetimes.com/2026/02/10/r...
bylinetimes.com/2026/02/10/r...
It’s a crap policy and I was happy to tell the Home Office just how wrong headed it is.
Remigration by stealth? The government’s settlement proposals will mean 10 or 15 years extra to settle - but are they designed to make people leave? The reforms combine with other policy changes to mean many people here would have no route to stay in/beyond 2030
ukandeu.ac.uk/remigration-...
ukandeu.ac.uk/remigration-...
Remigration by stealth? The government’s earned settlement proposals - UK in a changing Europe
James Bowes analyses the potential impact of the UK government's proposed changes to its settlement schemes to both new migrants and migrants already in the UK.
ukandeu.ac.uk
February 14, 2026 at 8:35 AM
It’s a crap policy and I was happy to tell the Home Office just how wrong headed it is.
Reposted by Matthew Ford
government should treat the UK’s major manuscript collections as an important national and international resource and organise funding for digitising manuscripts and catalogues and for security for digitised images. In an AI world this should be invious.
Technology companies might screw up again …
Technology companies might screw up again …
The British library is in crisis: why does nobody care?
The widespread indifference to the British Library's crippling cyberattack demonstrates a perilous failure to value the knowledge infrastructure vital for national prosperity
www.cityam.com
February 12, 2026 at 1:45 PM
government should treat the UK’s major manuscript collections as an important national and international resource and organise funding for digitising manuscripts and catalogues and for security for digitised images. In an AI world this should be invious.
Technology companies might screw up again …
Technology companies might screw up again …
Reposted by Matthew Ford
New & updated PB
'A timely and highly accessible interpretation of the turbulent history of the region' — Jutta Bakonyi
'The Country That Does Not Exist' conveys how one of the world’s newest nations came into being and survived, against all odds. Get 20% off w/code PRUNIER20 ➡️ tinyurl.com/3wmf4ssd
'A timely and highly accessible interpretation of the turbulent history of the region' — Jutta Bakonyi
'The Country That Does Not Exist' conveys how one of the world’s newest nations came into being and survived, against all odds. Get 20% off w/code PRUNIER20 ➡️ tinyurl.com/3wmf4ssd
February 12, 2026 at 11:49 AM
New & updated PB
'A timely and highly accessible interpretation of the turbulent history of the region' — Jutta Bakonyi
'The Country That Does Not Exist' conveys how one of the world’s newest nations came into being and survived, against all odds. Get 20% off w/code PRUNIER20 ➡️ tinyurl.com/3wmf4ssd
'A timely and highly accessible interpretation of the turbulent history of the region' — Jutta Bakonyi
'The Country That Does Not Exist' conveys how one of the world’s newest nations came into being and survived, against all odds. Get 20% off w/code PRUNIER20 ➡️ tinyurl.com/3wmf4ssd
Stockholm looking mighty fine this morning.
February 12, 2026 at 9:40 AM
Stockholm looking mighty fine this morning.