BFBS Radio Sitrep

President trump has tweeted that he doesn’t want transgender personnel in the us military, today the Sitrep programme speaks to Caroline Paige, who was the first openly transgender officer in the British Forces.

Also in the programme: what the RAF are doing in Romania on Op Biloxi, an update on Sandhurst in the Sand and the Afghan Air Force take to the skies.

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 in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum) On Sky Channel 0211.

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

Can Europe cope with the influx of refugees?

Could the UN broker a peace deal in Syria?

What went wrong with the F35s?

Why did the head of France’s armed forces quit his job?

Plus: Make Your Bed - a US Admiral's top tip for a lifetime of success.

TOPICS

REFUGEES

Professor Paul Rogers, Professor of Peace Studies at the University of Bradford & Christopher Lee, BFBS Defence Analyst.

SYRIA

Hamish de Bretton Gordon who is a former Army Officer now advising NGOs in Syria

FRENCH MILITARY

Christopher Lee, BFBS Defence Analyst.

 MAKE YOUR BED (Book review with author William H. McRaven, a former US Admiral )

Navy & HMS Glasgow

Professor Paul Rogers who is Professor of Peace Studies at the University of Bradford & Christopher Lee, BFBS Defence Analyst.

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 in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum) On Sky Channel 0211.

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

Mosul – IS have been defeated but what’s next for the beleaguered Iraqi city?

The Chief of the Air Staff looks forward to the RAF’s centenary next year whilst

the WRNS is celebrating its 100th anniversary this week.

Plus…. Trump Junior and the mysterious Russian Lawyer, what’s the true story?

 

 

TOPICS

 

CHIEF OF THE AIR STAFF

BFBS reporter Charlotte Banks interview with the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshall Sir Stephen Hilier 

 

MOSUL

Professor Scott Lucas from the University of Birmingham.

 

Trump trouble

Professor Hazel Smith from the Centre of Korea Studies at the school of Oriental and African Studies at The University of London & Christopher Lee, BFBS Defence Analyst.

 

WRNS 100 years

Commander Jane Allen from Royal Navy HQ in Portsmouth 

 

DUNKIRK

Christopher Lee, BFBS Defence Analyst.

 

 

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 in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum) On Sky Channel 0211.

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

 

SITREP TRAIL THURS, 6th July (KATE PRESENTS TODAY)

 

One year after publishing his report Sir John Chilcot finally speaks out but why did it take so long?

Why NATO’s ready for business on the front line.

How should the international community respond to North Korea?

And, the people's storybook of the Cold War.                               

 

TOPICS

 

CHILCOT INTERVIEW

Former BBC Diplomatic Correspondent and now Master of Peterhouse, Cambridge, Bridget Kendall and BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee.

NATO

Brigadier Commander Mike Elviss speaking to BFBS reporter Rob Olver in Paderborn.

NORTH KOREA

Professor Hazel Smith from the Centre of Korea Studies at the school of Oriental and African Studies at The University of London.

SAUDI ARABIA

Christopher Lee, BFBS Defence Analyst.

COLD WAR, STORIES FROM THE BIG FREEZE

The BBC's former Moscow and then Diplomatic Correspondent Bridget Kendall  -  now the Master of Peterhouse, Cambridge, who has written an oral history of the Cold War.

 

 

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 in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum) On Sky Channel 0211.

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

 

 

 

Why the army needs to change the way it recruits

the head of the US Army in Europe shares his concerns about the shrinking British army….

Plus, Britain's biggest ever warship, HMS Queen Elizabeth sets sail, but what does the future hold for her?

Fresh talks are taking place aimed at re-unifying Cyprus.

And its 20 year since the British left Hong Kong………..

TOPICS

ARMY RECRUITING

BFBS reporter Rosie Laydon interview with General Sir Nick Carter.

Christopher Lee, BFBS Defence Analyst.

HEAD OF US ARMY IN EUROPE

Lt General Ben Hodges commander of the US Army in Europe speaking to BFBS reporter Charlotte Banks

CARRIERS

The ship's captain - Commander Jerry Kyd & Naval Historian and analyst Eric Grove & Christopher Lee, BFBS Defence Analyst

NATO AFGHANISTAN

Christopher Lee, BFBS Defence Analyst.

CYPRUS TALKS

BFBS Reporter Simon Newton, Naval Historian and analyst Eric Grove & Christopher Lee, BFBS Defence Analyst

HONG KONG

Analyst Eric Grove & Christopher Lee, BFBS Defence Analyst

 

In this week’s Sitrep, Is the destruction of an ancient mosque in the Iraqi city of Mosul an admission of defeat by IS?

 

What’s life like for the RAF Reaper Squadrons?

 

Prince Harry shares his thoughts on his life in the army, dealing with his demons and the Invictus games.

 

Plus -  The new Veterans’ Gateway, find out how it can help you.

 

TOPICS

MOSUL & SYRIA

Professor Michael Clarke, the former Director General at the Royal United Services Institute and Christopher Lee, BFBS Defence Analyst.

 

DRONE PILOTS

Dr Peter Lee from the University of Portsmouth.

 

SAUDI CROWN PRINCE

Christopher Lee, BFBS Defence Analyst

 

PRINCE HARRY

BFBS Reporter Cath Brazier.

 

VETERANS GATEWAY

BFBS Reporter Grace Pascoe

 

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 in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum) On Sky Channel 0211.

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

In this week’s Sitrep,

Exercise Noble Jump in Romania - what is it and who’s taking part?

Gaddafi’s son has been freed, but what does that mean for Libya?

What does the military make of the General Election result and will an alliance with the DUP affect defence policy?

Plus  - the Putin Interviews – find out why he’s been speaking to Oliver Stone.

TOPICS

EXERCISE NOBLE JUMP

BFBS reporter Simon Newton & BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee

LIBYA

Mary Fitzgerald, Libya analyst

ELECTION

BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee

VLADIMIR PUTIN

Former advisor to the Kremlin Alexander Nekrassov.

350TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE RAID ON MEDWAY

BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee

In today’s Sitrep,

A stark warning of a humanitarian disaster in the final battle for Mosul

And where next for the Islamist Extremists forced out of Iraq?

Why Qatar is being shunned by its neighbours….

And the military medicine from Afghanistan that’s saving the lives of ordinary people in Britain.

Presented by Kate Gerbeau with Christopher Lee.

There’s election fever as the manifestos are published but is there anything for the Services to vote for?

Trump, Russia and Putin – exactly what is going on?

While NATO defence chiefs meet in Brussels, Sitrep goes behind the scenes at the Alliance's Joint Force Headquarters in Naples.

Plus -  how the RAF took out the IS executioners.

Studio Guest: BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee

TOPICS

DEFENCE & THE GENERAL ELECTION

BFBS correspondent James Hirst & BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee

TRUMP/RUSSIA/PUTIN

Professor Scott Lucas is from the department of political science and international studies at the University of Birmingham BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee

NATO & NAPLES

BFBS reporter Tim Cooper in Italy speaking to Major General Ian Cave, Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans, at Joint Force Headquarters in Naples & BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee

MOSUL PROGRESS

BFBS’s Simon Newton reporting from RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus

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 in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum) On Sky Channel 0211.

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

SITREP TRAIL THURS, 11th May (KATE PRESENTS– NO CHRISTOPHER LEE TODAY; Professor Michael Clarke, former Director of the Royal United Services Institute is our special guest throughout the programme) Could the UK send more troops to Afghanistan, and what will they be doing if they do deploy? In the States, the fallout continues over the sacking of the head of the FBI…. Find out what the main Defence issues are in the General Election campaigns. Plus, Sitrep explores the impact of Prince Harry’s campaign on Mental Health issues. TOPICS AFGHANISTAN Michael Evans from the Times & Professor Michael Clarke, former Director of the Royal United Services Institute FBI DIRECTOR Simon Marks from Feature Story News in Washington & Professor Michael Clarke DEFENCE & THE GENERAL ELECTION James Hirst, our correspondent in Westminster & Professor Michael Clarke MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK Sir Simon Wessely, Director of the King's Centre for Military Health Research BUNDESWEHR Professor Michael Clarke 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 in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum) On Sky Channel 0211. Alternatively listen again on the website, or download the Sitrep Podcast.

Could the French election result change the UK’s defence alliance with our European ally?

 

What’s the significance of Japan joining in Naval exercise with the US?

 

Find out what’s worrying the Head of Europol….

 

Plus, Doctors at War, what it’s really like to save lives in a war zone…..

 

And, as Prince Phillip steps down from Royal duties – who’s stepping up to fulfil his role?

TOPICS

DUKE OF EDINBURGH

BFBS Defence analyst Christopher Lee

 

FRENCH ELECTION

Dr Paul Smith an expert in French politics from the University of Nottingham..

 

HEAD OF EUROPOL

Rob Wainwright who is head of the European Union's police

 

JAPAN NAVY EXERCISE

Rear Admiral Chris Parry from Rusi

 

DOCTORS AT WAR

Book review ‘Doctors at War’ by Mark de Rond. 

An account of life of a trauma surgical team at work in a field hospital in Helmand, Afghanistan.

SITREP TRAIL THURS, 27th April (KATE PRESENTS TODAY)

Will sanctions curb North Korea’s nuclear ambitions?

Find out what life’s like on board the US aircraft carrier the "George H-W Bush”.

Plus, Trump’s 100 days in power, what’s the verdict?

And Prince Harry’s thoughts on the importance of rugby to the forces as we look forward to the 100th Army Navy rugby match this weekend.

TOPICS

SYRIA/BORIS JOHNSON

Professor of Peace Studies and the University of Bradford, Paul Rogers.

GEORGE H-W BUSH.

BFBS reporter Simon Newton goes on board the US aircraft carrier

NORTH KOREA

Professor of Peace Studies and the University of Bradford, Paul Rogers & & Simon Marks from Feature Story News in Washington

TRUMP 100 DAYS

Professor of Peace Studies and the University of Bradford, Paul Rogers & & Simon Marks from Feature Story News in Washington

CHINESE CARRIERS

BFBS Defence analyst Christopher Lee

ONE HUNDREDTH ARMY NAVY RUGBY MATCH

BFBS Sports Editor Jon Knighton

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 in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum) On Sky Channel 0211

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

Presented by Kate Gerbeau with Christopher Lee.

In today’s Sitrep – there’s more reaction to last week's chemical weapons attack in Syria and how it's affecting US/Russian relations.

 

Find out how North Korea is testing the Trump administration and why the Royal Marines are to be restructured.

 

And, it's a 100 years this week that America entered the First World War...

 

TOPICS

SYRIA – CHEMICAL WEAPONS/RUSSIA/US

Chemical Weapons expert  Hamish De Bretton Gordon is a

Michael Stathis, Professor of Political Science at Southern Utah University and BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee

 

NORTH KOREA

Michael Stathis, Professor of Political Science at Southern Utah University and BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee

 

ROYAL MARINES

Former Royal Marine and Special Boat Service officer, Lord Paddy Ashdown

 

WW1 & US INVOLVEMENT

Michael Stathis, Professor of Political Science at Southern Utah University 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 in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum) On Sky Channel 0211

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

Chemical weapons in Syria. What happened? Who’s right, who’s wrong and what next?

Find out what British troops are doing on Exercise Desert Warrior in Kuwait,
and what the Royal Engineers are doing in famine hit South Sudan?

One year in the job – Kate Gerbeau talks to the Service Complaints Ombudsman after she publishes her first Annual Report.

And all the Queen's Soldiers...Why the Royal Lancers now belong to Elizabeth.

GUESTS: BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee.

Topics:

Syria/Russia/America
Director General of the Royal United Services Institute Dr Karin von Hippel and BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee

Armed Forces Minister Mike Penning speaking from South Sudan.

Interview with the Service Complaints Ombudsman, Nicola Williams.

The Royal Lancers - renamed

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 in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum) On Sky Channel 0211
Alternatively listen again on the website, or download the Sitrep Podcast.

This week:

We ask who bombed civilians in Mosul was it IS fighters or coalition aircraft?

Brexit has been triggered but why is the Prime Minister threatening to pull terrorist intelligence?

Hear how the Royal Navy is fighting back against the hackers.

And on the day the National Army Museum is re-opened to the public, we talk about the “little guys” – Britain’s 139 small regimental museums.

GUESTS:

BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee.

The Times Correspondent Michael Evans

BBC World Service political Correspondent Rob Watson

Managing Director of Airbus Cyber Security in the UK Ian Goslin

The Antiques Roadshow Militaria expert Mark Smith

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 in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum) On Sky Channel 0211
Alternatively listen again on the website, or download the Sitrep Podcast.

SITREP TRAIL THURS, 23rd March (KATE PRESENTS TODAY)

 

Terror at Westminster…how did it happen and what can be done?  Who was the attacker and what’s the bigger picture?  Can modern terrorism attacks destroy democracy?  Listen to Sitrep to get all the latest defence analysis.

 

GUESTS:

BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee.

Professor Michael Clarke, formerly Director General of the Royal United Services Institute

Professor Anthony Glees, Director, Centre for Security and Intelligence Studies at the University of Buckingham

Major General Julian Thompson, a former Royal Marine Commander who served in Northern Ireland and now a visiting Professor at King's College London.

Charlie Winter, Senior research fellow at The International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation at King’s College, London.

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

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 in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum) On Sky Channel 0211

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

Marine A: did the Royal Marine's higher command fail?

Why Putin's generals are watching British troops in Estonia,

What can British troops do about famine in South Sudan?

And its 100 years since the start of the Russian Revolution - but why isn’t Moscow celebrating?

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

On the day the Queen unveils the Iraq and Afghanistan memorial, Sitrep reflects on three wars in which 682 British Service personnel died. Find out the Soldier’s view, the Ambassador’s view and the Veteran’s view in a special programme presented by Kate Gerbeau.

GUESTS: BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee.

MEMORIAL

Paul Osbourne rounds up the day’s events.

 

FROM THE ARCHIVE

Rory Higgins and Susie Ferguson reporting for BFBS in March 2003

 

LIEUTENANT GENERAL SIR GRAEME LAMB

Lieutenant General Sir Graeme Lamb was appointed General Officer Commanding 3rd (UK) Mechanised Division in the summer of 2003 - the start of the Iraq War. 

 

SIR WILLIAM PATEY

Sir William Patey, a former British Ambassador to Iraq and later Afghanistan.

 

AFGHANISTAN VETERAN ROAYL MARINE CASSIDY LITTLE

Reflection on his military career.

 

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.