BFBS Radio Sitrep

Why is Mr Trump handing out 54 billion dollars to the Pentagon?

Why a group of MPs says we must maintain relations with the Russians.

The RAF in the Middle East – why it’s a minute by minute operation

And - what can British troops expect when they deploy to famine struck South Sudan?

GUESTS:

BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee.

TRUMP

Dr Karin Von Hippel, Director General at the Royal United Services Institute.

RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA

BFBS reporter James Hirst interview with Foreign Affairs Committee chairman  Crispin Blunt.

OP SHADER

BFBS reporter Simon Newton in Cyprus talks to British Major General Rupert Jones, deputy commander for the Combined Joint Task Force.

SOUTH SUDAN

Sitrep producer Josella Waldron interview with the BBC’s Africa Correspondent Alastair Leithead

Al Qaeda

Charles Lister is a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute in Washington.

THURSDAYS at 4:30pm UK TIME on BFBS RADIO 2 and at 6:30pm UK TIME on BFBS & UK Bases

You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and at 1830 (UK time) on BFBS (via web, App & DAB in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum)

Sky Channel 0211

Alternatively listen again on the website, or download the Sitrep Podcast.

The latest on what’s happening in the fight to take back Mosul from IS fighters.

How British troops will soon be helping people in famine-hit South Sudan…

Find out why British troops are being warned about honey traps, staged brawls and social media infiltration in Estonia.

And Sitrep speaks to a former Army officer who has the ear of the USA’s new Security Advisor.

GUESTS:

BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee.

MOSUL

Michael a former US Intelligence Officer and advisor to the Peshmerga.

SOUTH SUDAN

David Lomuria, a correspondent for Feature Story News in the capital Juba.

HONEY TRAP

Former Kremlin advisor Alexander Nekrassov

LIEUTENANT GENERAL HR MCMASTER

Retired Major General Andrew Mackay commanded British forces in in Afghanistan.

THURSDAYS at 4:30pm UK TIME on BFBS RADIO 2 and at 6:30pm UK TIME on BFBS & UK Bases

You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and at 1830 (UK time) on BFBS (via web, App & DAB in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum)

Sky Channel 0211

Alternatively listen again on the website, or download the Sitrep Podcast.

What was on the agenda at today’s NATO meeting? Sitrep gets reaction from the Defence Secretary, Michael Fallon.

Has China lost all influence on North Korea?

Find out what the Marines are up to in Norway…

And waiting for justice - how long will it be before war crimes in Syria are dealt with in court?

GUESTS: BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee.

NATO

Charlotte Banks interview with the Defence Secretary Michael Fallon.

MARINES - ARCTIC TRAINING

Rebecca Ricks reporting on Exercise Clockwork in Northern Norway,

NORTH KOREA - NEIL DALL

Emil Dall, Research Fellow in the Proliferation and Nuclear Policy Programme at the Royal United Services Institute.

WAR CRIMES

Professor David Crane was the Chief Prosecutor of the Special Court for Sierra Leone, where he indicted the Liberian President Charles Taylor.

THURSDAYS at 4:30pm UK TIME on BFBS RADIO 2 and at 6:30pm UK TIME on BFBS & UK Bases

You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and at 1830 (UK time) on BFBS (via web, App & DAB in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum)

Sky Channel 0211

Alternatively listen again on the website, or download the Sitrep Podcast.

In this week’s Sitrep, we ask why Donald Trump hasn’t got round to calling the Chinese President yet, and what that might say for US-China relations.

Plus we look at the President’s promise to boost defence spending.

We hear from a former head of the Army, ahead of the publication of a report into the investigation into abuse allegations in Iraq.

And after a minister warned more British troops could be sent to Afghanistan, we hear from a former captain who served three tours there.

GUESTS: General Sir Mike Jackson, former Chief of the General Staff; Admiral Sir Jonathon Band, former First Sea Lord, Scott Lucas, professor of American Studies at Birmingham University; Doug Beattie, former Army Captain

Thursday 1630 on BFBS Radio 2, 1830 on BFBS & UK bases, plus anytime afterwards online, or via the podcast.

Presented by Kate Gerbeau

In today’ Sitrep there’s reaction and analysis as human rights lawyer, Phil Shiner, is struck off.

In Afghanistan, the Taliban is in disarray – so is this a good time for peace?

The Royal Navy leads the combined Naval Task Force in the Gulf for the first time.

Trump's defence secretary, 'Mad Dog' Mattis, starts work in the far east.

And Very Lynne’s new album to celebrate her 100th Birthday.

PHIL SHINER

Interview with MP and former British Army Officer Johnny Mercer

TALIBAN  

Professor Theo Farrell & BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee

HMS OCEAN

BFBS reporter Simon Newton

US RELATIONS ABROAD

Professor of Political Science at the University of Southern Utah, Michael Stathis...

VERA LYNNE

BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee

THURSDAYS at 4:30pm UK TIME on BFBS RADIO 2 and at 6:30pm UK TIME on BFBS & UK Bases

You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and at 1830 (UK time) on BFBS (via web, App & DAB in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum)

Sky Channel 0211

Alternatively listen again on the website, or download the Sitrep Podcast.

Teresa May's will be the first foreign leader to meet Donald Trump, but who's going to get the most out of it?

And do the comparisons with Mrs Thatcher and President Reagan mean anything or is this going to be a very different relationship

NATO forges friendships in the Middle East with a new HQ in Kuwait.

Meet the women of the US Marine Corps and hear all about the Norwegian Military Experiment - how one unit tried a 50/50 gender split with surprising results.

GUESTS:

DONALD TRUMP & TERESA MAY VISIT

Professor Michael Clarke formerly the Director General of the Royal United Services & BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee.

BFBS reporter Tim Cooper interview with General David Perkins, commander of US Army training and Doctrine – discussing Brexit and US politics.

NATO

Professor Michael Clarke formerly the Director General of the Royal United Services & BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee.

US MARINES

As the UK prepares to accept the first females into its own infantry, Hannah King has been taking a look at how the US Marines incorporate females.

NORWEGIAN ARMY

Elisabeth Braw, senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council

THURSDAYS at 4:30pm UK TIME on BFBS RADIO 2 and at 6:30pm UK TIME on BFBS & UK Bases

You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and at 1830 (UK time) on BFBS (via web, App & DAB in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum)

Sky Channel 0211

Alternatively listen again on the website, or download the Sitrep Podcast.

Tomorrow Donald Trump will become the 45th President of the United States of America.  In a special edition of Sitrep, Kate Gerbeau will ask “Should we be frightened?”

A panel of experts are going to look at what Trump’s time as President & Commander in Chief of the American Armed Forces could mean for the rest of the world. 

Will he forge closer ties with Russia?

What will he do about NATO?

What about Syria?

And why is he so against China? 

Find out the answers to those questions and many more in today’s Sitrep………………………….

GUESTS:

BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee.

Former BBC Diplomatic Correspondent Bridget Kendall.  Bridget has spent a lot of time in Washington and Moscow and is an expert on Russian politics. 

Professor of International Politics at the University of Birmingham Scott Lucas who can talk extensively about US foreign policy and the Middle East. 

Dr Karin von Hippel, Director General of the Royal United Services Institute.  Karin was formally Chief of Staff to the US General John Allen when he was special presidential envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter Isil. 

Simon Marks from Feature Story – our man in Washington who can tell us all about what we can expect at tomorrow’s inauguration ceremony.

THURSDAYS at 4:30pm UK TIME on BFBS RADIO 2 and at 6:30pm UK TIME on BFBS & UK Bases

You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and at 1830 (UK time) on BFBS (via web, App & DAB in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum)

Sky Channel 0211

Alternatively listen again on the website, or download the Sitrep Podcast.

Russian aggression has triggered the deployment of American forces to Poland but is it necessary?

President-elect Trump -  what’s really going on and who’s side is he on?

Could we see more German boots on the ground in Europe?

What part does Britain play in the Talks to re-unify Cyprus?

And War through the eyes of the correspondent.  The Times man in the blue body-armour tells all……

Other interviews

POLAND AND TRUMP

Former Defence and Pentagon Correspondent for The Times Michael Evans

GERMAN BOOTS ON GROUND

Elisabeth Braw, senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council.

ATTORNEY GENERAL

Dr Aurel Sari – A lecturer in the law of armed conflict at Exeter University.

CYPRUS TALKS

BFBS reporter in Cyprus, Simon Newton

WAR REPORTING

Former Defence and Pentagon Correspondent for The Times Michael Evans

THURSDAYS at 4:30pm UK TIME on BFBS RADIO 2 and at 6:30pm UK TIME on BFBS & UK Bases

You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and at 1830 (UK time) on BFBS (via web, App & DAB in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum)

Sky Channel 0211

Alternatively listen again on the website, or download the Sitrep Podcast.

The Head of MI6 ‘C’ speaks publicly for the first time – and warns that Russia's actions in Syria will have tragic consequences...

Find out what the PM, Teresa May got up to in Bahrain and what the Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson, said about Saudi Arabia

Plus - how NATO and the EU have overcome years of rivalry to work more closely together

PRESENTER THIS WEEK: Kate Gerbeau

Studio guest:

BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee

Other interviews

HEAD OF MI6

BFBS Reporter James Hirst and Sir David Omand, a former Director of GCHQ

BAHRAIN/SAUDI ARABIA

BFBS Reporter James Hirst interview with Teresa May and analysis by Professor Michael Clarke former Director General of the Royal United Services Institute

and BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee

IRAQ/SYRIA

Professor Michael Clarke former Director General of the Royal United Services Institute

and BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee

EU & NATO

Professor Michael Clarke former Director General of the Royal United Services Institute

and BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee

THURSDAYS at 4:30pm UK TIME on BFBS RADIO 2 and at 6:30pm UK TIME on BFBS & UK Bases

You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and at 1830 (UK time) on BFBS (via web, App & DAB in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum)

Sky Channel 0211

Alternatively listen again on the website, or download the Sitrep Podcast.

The MOD is proposing a major change to the way service personnel and their families are housed.  This week Sitrep look at the pros and cons and speaks exclusively to the head of the army, General Sir Nick Carter about housing and the current state of the Army.

Also this week, shipbuilding  - why has the government been told to get a grip?  Sitrep also hears from the First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Philip Jones,

PRESENTER THIS WEEK: Kate Gerbeau

Studio guests:

BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee

Other interviews

SERVICES’ HOUSING

BFBS Reporter Charlotte Banks

Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Nick Carter

SHIPBUILDING

First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Philip Jones

Naval Historian and security analyst Professor Eric Grove.

THURSDAYS at 4:30pm UK TIME on BFBS RADIO 2 and at 6:30pm UK TIME on BFBS & UK Bases

You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and at 1830 (UK time) on BFBS (via web, App & DAB in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum)

Sky Channel 0211

Alternatively listen again on the website, or download the Sitrep Podcast

SITREP TRAIL THURS, 24th November

President-elect Trump is putting his cabinet together – but who’ll be the new Secretary of State for Defense?

Where’s Russia heading with its nuclear trains?

Why the NATO Secretary General says he has confidence that America will continue to support the Alliance.

What's the latest from Mosul?

And what does the Chancellors Autumn Statement mean for the military?

PRESENTER THIS WEEK: Kate Gerbeau

Studio guests:

BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee

Other interviews 24th November

Trump Cabinet

BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee & Conservative MP and Army Reservist Tom Tugendhat

RUSSIA

Former British Ambassador to Russia, Sir Tony Brenton

NATO

BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee

MOSUL

Michael Pregent, former US intelligence officer and now an adjunct fellow at the Hudson Institute

AUTUMN STATEMENT

BFBS Reporter, James Hirst

THURSDAYS at 4:30pm UK TIME on BFBS RADIO 2 and at 6:30pm UK TIME on BFBS & UK Bases

You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and at 1830 (UK time) on BFBS (via web, App & DAB in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum)

Sky Channel 0211

Alternatively listen again on the website, or download the Sitrep Podcast.

SITREP Thursday 10^TH November

America has voted and Donald Trump will be the next President of the United States.

So what next?

This week Sitrep looks at what this means for the rest of the world….

Will the new President stick with old alliances or forge new ones?

Will he sign up to NATO?

What does this mean for US military commitments around the world?

Those are just some of the questions Kate Gerbeau will be asking a panel of experts.

You can listen at 1830, Thursday on Forces Radio, BFBS.

PRESENTER THIS WEEK: Kate Gerbeau

Studio guests:

BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee

Karin Von Hippel = Director of the Royal United Services Institute

Mike Evans, former Times Pentagon Correspondent

BFBS reporter James Hirst

Simon Marks from Feature Story in Washington.

SITREP TRAIL THURS, 3^rd November

Cyber warfare – a huge investment was announced this week but who are we protecting ourselves from?

Iraq – a special insight into what went on post-invasion in 2003.

America goes to the polls and but is the FBI calling the vote?

The Russian Aircraft carrier - can it really swing the war for Assad?

And poppies, why is there always a row?

PRESENTER THIS WEEK: Tim Cooper

Studio guest: BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee

CYBER SECURITY

Dr Madeline Carr of Cardiff University

IRAQ

Sir Jeremy Greenstock , formerly the UK's Permanent Representative to the UN, and Britain's lead administrator in Iraq in the aftermath of the coalition invasion.

US ELECTIONS

Michael Stathis, Professor of politics at the University of Southern Utah.

KUTZNETZOV -RUSSIA

BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee

POPPIES

BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee

THURSDAYS at 4:30pm UK TIME on BFBS RADIO 2 and at 6:30pm UK TIME on BFBS & UK Bases

You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and at 1830 (UK time) on BFBS (via web, App & DAB in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum)

Sky Channel 0211

Alternatively listen again on the website, or download the Sitrep Podcast.

*** TIM COOPER PRESENTS TODAY ***

SITREP TRAIL THURS, 27th  October

NATO expresses concern at Russian aggression and  the UK is deploying more forces to eastern Europe – what’s the significance of the latest announcements?

Iraqi forces continue to push towards Mosul -  but what will happen after the city is retaken?

The met office celebrates 100 years of military weather forecasting …..

And Ian Hislop speaks about his play based on a newspaper created by soldiers at the Battle of the Somme.

PRESENTER THIS WEEK: Tim Cooper

Studio guest: BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee

NATO BALTICS

Tony King, Professor in War Studies at the University of Warwick

UKRAINE

or Andrew Foxall is Director of the Russia Studies Centre at The Henry Jackson Society

MOSUL

Dr Lina Khatib - Head of the Middle East Programme at Chatham House

MET OFFICE

Catherine Ross, Archivist at the Met Office

WIPERS TIMES

Ian Hislop

THURSDAYS at 4:30pm UK TIME on BFBS RADIO 2 and at 6:30pm UK TIME on BFBS & UK Bases

You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and at 1830 (UK time) on BFBS (via web, App & DAB in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum)

Sky Channel 0211

Alternatively listen again on the website, or download the Sitrep Podcast.

Could what happens in Mosul determine Iraq’s future?

Why investment into Cyber defence is critical to prevent an attack on the UK’s military equipment and systems.

Plus: What happened in Vegas in The final TV showdown for Trump and Clinton

And – your chance to crack secret codes from GCHQ.

PRESENTER THIS WEEK: Kate Gerbeau

Studio guest: BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee

MOSUL

Michael Pregent (Pree-gent) a former US intelligence officer and now an adjunct fellow at the Hudson Institute - a US think tank

CYBER

Professor Michael Clarke, forrmer Director General of the Royal United Service Institute.

US ELEX DEBATE

Simon Marks from Feature Story News.

GCHQ PUZZLE BOOK

Mike, one of the authors and puzzle creators.

THURSDAYS at 4:30pm UK TIME on BFBS RADIO 2 and at 6:30pm UK TIME on BFBS & UK Bases

You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and at 1830 (UK time) on BFBS (via web, App & DAB in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum)

Sky Channel 0211

Alternatively listen again on the website, or download the Sitrep Podcast.

Discussions are underway about further British military action to combat the crisis in Syria,

In Yemen, the humanitarian situation worsens as Iran becomes involved.

Find out what keeps The Chief of the Air Staff awake at night.

And we hear from the latest in a quick succession of Labour Shadow Defence Ministers

PRESENTER THIS WEEK: Kate Gerbeau

Studio guest: BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee

SYRIA/RUSSIA

Former Kremlin advisor Alexander Nekrassov and BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee.

AIR CHIEF MARSHAL SIR STEPHEN HILLIER

Interview with BFBS Reporter James Hirst..

YEMEN

Former British Ambassador to Yemen and now head of the Middle East Region at Christian Aid.

SHADOW LABOUR DEFENCE SECRETARY NIA GRIFFITH

Kate Gerbeau interview

THURSDAYS at 4:30pm UK TIME on BFBS RADIO 2 and at 6:30pm UK TIME on BFBS & UK Bases

You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and at 1830 (UK time) on BFBS (via web, App & DAB in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum)

Sky Channel 0211

Alternatively listen again on the website, or download the Sitrep Podcast.

SITREP TRAIL THURS, 6th October

How long can Russia’s President Putin support President Assad in Syria?

The Prime Minister says British Forces are a special case when it comes to human rights prosecutions - but is she right?

Plus, find out what HMS Ocean is doing on Exercise Albanian Lion.

And, what's it REALLY like to work for MI5?  A former soldier gives us an insider’s view

PRESENTER THIS WEEK: Kate Gerbeau

Studio guest: BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee

SYRIA/RUSSIA/US

Professor of Peace Studies Paul Rogers from the University of Bradford

And BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee

EXERCISE ALBANIAN LION

Captain Rob Pedre commander of HMS Ocean,

HUMAN RIGHTS/BRITISH FORCES

BFBS Reporter James Hirst talking to Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon

Soldier, Spy – book review

Former Mi5 agent, Tom Marcus - author of Soldier, Spy

THURSDAYS at 4:30pm UK TIME on BFBS RADIO 2 and at 6:30pm UK TIME on BFBS & UK Bases

You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and at 1830 (UK time) on BFBS (via web, App & DAB in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum)

Sky Channel 0211

Alternatively listen again on the website, or download the Sitrep Podcast.

SITREP TRAIL THURS, 29th  September (Kate presents)

Why is the RAF sending Typhoons to South Korea?

Who's winning the war of words over Syria - Moscow or Washington?

What's the Big Idea which will shape the future of the British Army?

And, Yemen's forgotten war - is Saudi Arabia targeting civilians using British made bombs?