BFBS Radio Sitrep

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?

On the show this week:

British troops face a fresh wave of criminal investigations into alleged abuse in Afghanistan.

Could Islamic State will be out of Iraq within months?

In a world at war, yesterday was world peace day – but who knew?

UN Peacekeeping - who writes the rules for the soldiers on the ground?

And are you looking for a new job?  Try MI6  -  find out more on Sitrep.

PRESENTER THIS WEEK: Kate Gerbeau

Studio guest: BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee

IHAT – criminal investigations

BFBS Reporter Charlotte Banks

HCDC Report – Lewis

BFBS Reporter James Hirst interview with Commons Defence Committee Chairman Julian Lewis.

Syria Ceasefire

BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee

UN Peacekeeping

Colonel Richard Westley, talks about his new book "Operation Insanity: The Dramatic True Story of the Mission that Saved Ten Thousand Lives."

World peace

Dan Smith who is Director of SIPRI - that's the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

SITREP TRAIL THURS, 15th  September

In Syria the cease-fire appears to holding, but will it make any difference long-term?

There are fresh calls for a new European Army - but not everyone wants one.

It's a hundred years since the first tank went into battle, do we still need them today

And why the American military is facing an obesity crisis.

PRESENTER THIS WEEK: Kate Gerbeau

Studio guest: BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee

SYRIA CEASEFIRE

Hamish de Bretton Gordon, a former Army Officer who now advises NGOs in Syria, and BFBS defence analyst Christopher Lee

EU DEFENCE

anthony King is Professor of War Studies at the University of Warwick.

DEFENCE SELECT COMMITTEE REPORT ON RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA

BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee

100 YEARS OF TANKS

David Willey is Curator of the Tank Museum

FAT US TROOPS

Former Royal Marine, triple amputee and now peak performance coach Mark Ormrod.

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.

Keeping the peace – what’s happening at the UN Peacekeeping Conference in London?

Find out about the US Presidential candidates’ defence policies,

And, how Russia might try and disrupt the American elections. 

Also this week, is the IS propaganda machine running out of steam?

PRESENTER THIS WEEK: Kate Gerbeau

Studio guest: BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee

UN Peacekeeping Conference

BFBS reporter James Hirst

South Sudan

BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee

US Presidential elections

Simon Marks from Feature Story News

Russia spying

Dana Priest, an investigative writer for the Washington Post

ISIS Media

Charlie Winter, associate fellow for the International Centre for Counter-terrorism, at the Hague

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.