The Two Matts Podcast special: THIS WAR IS NOT REAL
Mar 24, 2026
A wide-ranging discussion on the theatrical nature of modern warfare and how media shapes perceptions of conflict. They probe market volatility after sudden de-escalation claims and Trump's attention-seeking foreign policy. They examine risks of military postures that invite escalation and debate why authorities hesitate to label certain violent acts as terrorism. A call to watch unfamiliar news sources rounds out the talk.
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War As Spectacle In A Social Media Age
- Jean Baudrillard’s idea that modern wars are media events fits Trump’s showman approach but is now outdated by social media memes and violent mashups.
- Matt Kelly argues Trump treats war like entertainment: pushing red buttons to see what happens, not pursuing strategy.
Tactics Without Strategy Creates Dangerous Deployment
- The US displays many tactical strengths but lacks strategic clarity under Trump, producing dangerous military deployments without clear goals.
- Both Matts emphasise tactics (marines, carriers) replacing a guiding strategy and an unclear definition of success.
Rapid Marine Units Signal Elevated Risk
- Massive US force movements (11th and 31st Marine Expeditionary Units) increase risk because their purpose is unclear.
- Matt Kelly notes these are 911 rapid-response units, not routine peacekeepers, raising alarm about intent.
