BFBS Radio Sitrep

Was the RAF drones strike against IS in Syria legal and is there more to come?

Find out why Russia is increasing its military presence in the region.

A new report warns against cuts in UK security.

Is the IRA still active in Northern Ireland?

And what will a new leader of the Labour Party mean for defence, security and foreign affairs in Parliament?

PRESENTER THIS WEEK: Kate Gerbeau

STUDIO GUEST: BFBS defence analyst Christopher Lee

OTHER INTERVIEWS: 

SYRIA (Drones)

Sir William Patey

SYRIA /RUSSIA

The Times Diplomatic Editor Roger Boyes

DFEENCE CUTS

BFBS reporter James Hirst has been speaking to RUSI's research director, Professor Malcolm Chalmers.

N IRELAND

Northern Ireland writer and commentator Chris Ryder

Labour leadership

BBC World Service Political Correspondent Rob Watson

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 Migrant crisis, how should the UK respond and is Europe doing enough
The Libyan campaign – who was right, the chiefs of staff or the politicians?
Afghan Interpreters - what Price should we pay now the war is over.
Plus why China’s military are on parade and it’s Merchant Navy Day, but who remembers?
 

Nato’s Exercise Swift Response gets underway in Europe as China and Russia show off their military might in the Sea of Japan.

What’s behind the Taliban’s push into a former British stronghold in Afghanistan?

Can improved relations between the West and Iran help the Syrian crisis?

And how a little bit of Shakespeare is helping injured soldiers.

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PRESENTER THIS WEEK: Paua Middlehurst
STUDIO GUEST: BFBS defence analyst Christopher Lee & Tim Marshall, foreign affairs and international analyst.

Presenter Paula Middlehurst

SITREP TRAIL THURS, 20th August

The Chilcot report, what’s behind claims of political pressure on the inquiry team?

Is there a new ‘Cold War’ emerging between Russia & the West?

The Battle of Britain’s Hardest Day remembered,

And the US army get ready for an historic day

Presenter TIM COOPER

Is the British army becoming a training force not a fighting force?

The Ukraine training promise from the Defence Secretary.

Op Shader one year on - has it made a difference?

70 years since VJ DAY - commemorations take place.

And why is JAPAN choosing now to look at changing its military engagement rules?

Presenter Kate Gerbeau
 
Find out about MoD plans for a deployment to Libya.

Concerns are raised over the forthcoming Defence Review.
Plus, the Navy’s new Type 26 frigate goes into production
And 70 years on – the U.S. bombing of Hiroshima is remembered.

SITREP TRAIL THURS, 30th JULY

The US moves its front line from Germany to Turkey and the war against ISIS gets closer.

Mullah Omar, the man who invented the Taleban, is officially dead, or is he?

Plus: Robot Wars. What's the possibility of a Terminator - style conflict?

And Lord Richards, the former chief of the defence staff, reflects on 70 years of Forces broadcasting in Germany

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PRESENTER THIS WEEK: Kate Gerbeau

STUDIO GUEST:           BFBS defence analyst Christopher Lee

OTHER INTERVIEWS: 

IS/TURKEY/NATO

Shashank Joshi from the Royal United Services Institute

DEATH OFTALEBAN COMMANDER MULLAH OMAR

Shashank Joshi from the Royal United Services Institute

UKRAINE TRAINING EXERCISE

BFBS defence analyst Christopher Lee

ROBOT WARS

Noel Sharkey, Professor of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics at the University of Sheffield

Defence cuts

BFBS defence analyst Christopher Lee

BFBS Germany - 70 Years

BFBS reporter, Patrick Eade  & Lord Richards,former Chief of Defence Staff

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.

(First broadcast on Thursday 23^rd July 2015 at 4.30pm)

SITREP TRAIL THURS, 23rd JULY

Are active IS units operating in a NATO country?

Find out why the Americans are saying that Russia is the No.1 enemy

And what the Defence Committee has to say in their latest report…

Plus, as millions of refugees escape conflict in the Middle East what can the international community do to help?

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PRESENTER THIS WEEK: Kate Gerbeau

STUDIO GUEST:    BFBS defence analyst Christopher Lee

OTHER INTERVIEWS: 

IS/TURKEY/NATO

Former Liberal Democratic leader Paddy Ashdown

RUSSIA-US

Michael Evans from The Times

DEFENCE COMMITTEE

BFBS defence analyst Christopher Lee

REFUGEES

Ariane Rummery from The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees 

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.

A new Government with a new budget but is it really good news for defence & Nato?

And what’s the reaction from the USA?

Why does Greece commit so much to defence with its huge economic problems?

The IS media machine is in full swing, but how should the West counter it?

And find out how geography can dictate global security

PRESENTER THIS WEEK: Kate Gerbeau

STUDIO GUEST:    BFBS defence analyst Christopher Lee

OTHER INTERVIEWS: 

BUDGET

BFBS defence analyst Christopher Lee & to Malcolm Brown from Feature Story News in Washington

GREECE

Tim Marshall, Former Diplomatic Editor at Sky News

IS PROPAGANDA

Charlie Winter, Quilliam’s Senior Researcher on Transnational Jihadism

PRISONERS OF GEOGRAPHY by Tim Marshall(book review)

10 maps that tell you everything you need to know about global politics. 

THURSDAYS at 4:30pm UK TIME on BFBS RADIO 2and 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.

A new Government with a new budget but is it really good news for defence & Nato?

And what’s the reaction from the USA?

Why does Greece commit so much to defence with its huge economic problems?

The IS media machine is in full swing, but how should the West counter it?

And find out how geography can dictate global security

PRESENTER THIS WEEK: Kate Gerbeau

STUDIO GUEST:    BFBS defence analyst Christopher Lee

OTHER INTERVIEWS: 

BUDGET

BFBS defence analyst Christopher Lee & to Malcolm Brown from Feature Story News in Washington

GREECE

Tim Marshall, Former Diplomatic Editor at Sky News

IS PROPAGANDA

Charlie Winter, Quilliam’s Senior Researcher on Transnational Jihadism

PRISONERS OF GEOGRAPHY by Tim Marshall(book review)

10 maps that tell you everything you need to know about global politics. 

THURSDAYS at 4:30pm UK TIME on BFBS RADIO 2and 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.

(First broadcast on Thursday11^th June 2015 at 4.30pm)

SITREP TRAIL THURS, 2nd JULY

Terror in Tunisia – after last week’s atrocities could the UK attack Islamic State in Syria?

Can anyone stop IS? And what do the lawyers say?

Find out what changes lay ahead for the British Army

It's back to The Somme - but what's the point in all these commemorations?

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PRESENTER THIS WEEK: Kate Gerbeau

STUDIO GUEST:    BFBS defence analyst Christopher Lee

OTHER INTERVIEWS: 

TUNISIA/IS THREAT & REACTION

The new Chairman of the Commons Foreign Affairs Select Committee, Crispin Blunt, Hamish de Bretton Gordon, a chemical weapons expert working for NGOs in Syria and Iraq....and of course, BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee.

POLITICAL REACTION

BFBS reporter James Hirst

LAND WARFARE CONFERENCE

BFBS reporter Rosie Laydon speaking to Director General of RUSI, Professor Michael Clarke

BATTLE OF THE SOMME CENTENARY EVENT

BFBS defence analyst Christopher Lee

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

SITREP TRAIL THURS, 25 JUNE

Nato ministers meet as Russia flexes its muscles.

Defence Spending…can the UK have its cake and eat it?

And…the Victoria Cross?  Is it time for a rethink on why it’s awarded?

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PRESENTER THIS WEEK: Kate Gerbeau

STUDIO GUEST:    BFBS defence analyst Christopher Lee

OTHER INTERVIEWS: 

NATO TALKS

BFBS Reporter Rob Olver

RUSSIAN STRATEGY

BFBS Reporter Charlotte Cross

DEFENCE SPENDING

Bernard Jenkin MP

VICTORIA CROSS

Author Gary Mead (book review)

THURSDAYS at 4:30pm UK TIME on BFBS RADIO 2and 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.

Presenter Kate Gerbeau

Yemen – we hear from a reporter on the ground in the wartorn region

Europe's Migrant Crisis deepens but what next for the Royal Navy's involvement?

There’s a new man in the defence Committee Chair - but what will Julian Lewis bring to the job?

The Afghan Appeal fund celebrates 10 years of building schools in Afghanistan.

And ...The 1805 battle of Waterloo, what does it mean for you?

(First broadcast on Thursday 4^th June 2015 at 4.30pm)

Who’s our biggest threat – Islamic State or Russia?

And should the UK send ground troops to fight alongside the Iraqi Army? One former British Army Commander thinks they should.

Will America’s snooping restrictions have an impact on British Intelligence?

Could there be major development problems for the carriers’ new F35 fighter jets?

And why Forces’ sport is an integral part of military life …………………………

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PRESENTER THIS WEEK: Kate Gerbeau

STUDIO GUEST:    BFBS defence analyst Christopher Lee

OTHER INTERVIEWS: 

Defence Cuts

BFBS defence analyst Christopher Lee

Ukraine/ISIS

Professor Paul Rogers from the department of peace studies at the University of Bradford

ISIS in Iraq

Lieutenant General Graeme Lamb served in Iraq as Deputy Commanding General of the multi-national force.

F35s

Former Royal Navy Lieutenant Commander Sharkey Ward

Amercian & British intelligence gathering

Richard Norton-Taylor who writes for the Guardian on defence and security matters

Forces Sport

BFBS Reporter Julian Evans

THURSDAYS at 4:30pm UK TIME on BFBS RADIO 2and 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.

PRESENTER THIS WEEK: Kate Gerbeau

(First broadcast on Thursday 28th May 2015 at 4.30pm)

Find out how the next SDSR is shaping up.

What the new Crowsnest surveillance system will mean for the Royal Navy.

Why Obama has spoken out about Russian’s aggression towards Ukraine.

And, why China could be heading for a show-down with the US over the disputed South China Islands.

And from British Soldier to Blackwater - life as a security contractor in Iraq.

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PRESENTER THIS WEEK: Kate Gerbeau

STUDIO GUEST:    BFBS defence analyst Christopher Lee

OTHER INTERVIEWS: 

QUEEN’S SPEECH AND  SDSR

BFBS reporter James Hirst interview with Professor Malcolm Chalmers, from the Defence and Security think tank - The Royal United Services Institute,

CROWSNEST SURVEILLANCE FOR THE ROYAL NAVY.

Commander Graham Edmonds, Vice Chairman, at the UK National Defence Association.

RUSSIAN/NATO/UKRAINE.

Professor Michael Stathis from the University of Southern Utah & BFBS defence analyst Christopher Lee.

CHINA &  THE DISPUTED SOUTH CHINA ISLANDS.

Mark Stone Asia Correspondent for Sky News.

BLACKWATER

One former British soldier talks about his time as a Blackwater contractor in Iraq.

THURSDAYS at 4:30pm UK TIME on BFBS RADIO 2and 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.

(First broadcast on Thursday 21st May 2015 at 4.30pm)

AS IS gathers ground in both Syria & Iraq, Sitrep speaks to a leading expert on Islamic State as the militants continue to gather ground in Iraq and Syria.

Also this week, is America sending weapons into space?

Nato chiefs of staff list new security challenges.

And why more people are dying in conflict despite fewer wars being fought.

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PRESENTER THIS WEEK: Kate Gerbeau

STUDIO GUEST:    BFBS defence analyst Christopher Lee

OTHER INTERVIEWS: 

Abdel Bari Atwan, author of "Islamic State - The Digital Caliphate"

BFBS reporter Victoria Smith interview with the International Institute for Strategic Studies Director of transnational threats and political risk, Nigel Inkster, as it publishes its 2015 Armed Conflict Survey.

X-37B Spacecraft  with Kenneth Chang ,Science Reporter from The New York Times,

BFBS reporter James Hirst talks to the people behind a new film giving a unique insight into the Afghan Army in Helmand .  "Tell Spring Not To Come This Year"

THURSDAYS at 4:30pm UK TIME on BFBS RADIO 2and 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.

PRESENTER THIS WEEK: Kate Gerbeau

In Syria - have the Generals had enough of Assad?

Is NATO lining up it's Baltic army?

Who will be the new Chair of the Defence Select Committee?

RAF Chinooks are being prevented from helping in Nepal. Has Britain sent the wrong type of helicopter?

And some right royal opinions have aired about the Ministry of Defence.

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PRESENTER THIS WEEK: Kate Gerbeau

STUDIO GUEST:           BFBS defence analyst Christopher Lee

OTHER INTERVIEWS: 

Sir Andrew Green, a former British Ambassador in Damascus.

Former Chief of the General  Staff, Lord Dannatt, discussing the possibility of Nato troops being deployed to Baltic states.

The Conservative MP Colonel Bob Stewart talking to Tim Cooper about the now vacant position of Chair of Commons Defence Select Committee.

Nepal Aid - Yurendra Basnett , Research Fellow from the Overseas Development Institute (ODI)

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

How Gurkha engineers and the RAF are providing aid to Nepal

Trident - why the debate goes on?

There's a new man in charge of Northern Cyprus, will that help the stalled peace talks?

And Britain's Greatest Generation with stories of VE Day and beyond.

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PRESENTER THIS WEEK: Paula Middlehurst

STUDIO GUEST:           BFBS defence analyst Christopher Lee.

OTHER INTERVIEWS: 

NEPAL AID EFFORT

Ghurka Welfare Trust chairman; General Sir Peter Wall speaking to James Hirst and BFBS defence analyst Christopher Lee

TRIDENT

Interview with former Chief of the Defence Staff Lord Boyce, and BFBS defence analyst Christopher Lee

NEW PRESIDENT OF NORTHERN CYPRUS

Correspondent - Mike Theodoulou

BOOK REVIEW

Sue Elliot, Co-Author of "Britain's Greatest Generation”