BFBS Radio Sitrep

Talks between the US and the Taliban on a peace deal in Afghanistan are said to be close to completion — with the White House keen to get American troops home before Donald Trump seeks re-election next year. We hear from a correspondent who’s been talking to the Taliban’s chief negotiator in Qatar. The latest figures on UK military personnel numbers again show the forces are under their target strength. But the Chief of the Defence Staff has claimed that doesn’t matter, in an age of autonomous and unmanned equipment. We’ll ask whether he’s right. Donald Trump and Boris Johnson head to the G7 summit this weekend, and the tension with Iran is likely to dominate — we’ll look ahead. And we’ll ask why Donald Trump was so keen to buy Greenland, and so offended when his bizarre suggested was rejected out of hand.

On the 14th August 1969 the British Army deployed to Northern Ireland in response to sectarian riots on the streets of Londonderry and Belfast.  Op Banner, as the Army came to call it, was the longest ever continuous operational deployment of troops in the history of the British Armed Forces.

In this programme, 50 years on, you'll hear from:

• Ben Wallace, the Secretary of State for Defence. 
• General Sir Mike Jackson who served as a Captain with the 1st Battalion of the Parachute Regiment in Londonderry on Bloody Sunday and went on to become Chief of the General Staff.
• Baron Caine, a former government advisor to the Northern Ireland Office.
• Richard White, a former Royal Marine who served in Northern Ireland.

Presented by James Hirst with Christopher Lee 

American and Taliban negotiators have agreed the war in Afghanistan must end, but will it?

Could the tensions in Kashmir really lead to a nuclear war?

We hear from Uganda where Royal Marines are training soldiers for peacekeeping.

How cyber crime is funding North Korean missile tests.

And here's an idea - National Service for cyber defence

Please also plug listen again/podcast  

In today’s Sitrep with Kate Gerbeau and Christopher Lee…

The UN hears pleas to intervene in Syria, but why the is the west is seemingly so reluctant to intervene?

As Britain’s stand-off with Iran continues, is there a diplomatic way to end it? 

One week into Boris Johnson’s premiership, what have we learned about his commitment to the forces? And are the repeated comparisons to Winston Churchill really justified?

Plus, as an American teenager wins $3-million playing the video game Fortnite, how the military views gamers as a potential source of new recruits

PROGRAMME TX 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-line, www.forces.net/sitrep or download the Sitrep Podcast.

In today’s Sitrep with Kate Gerbeau and Christopher Lee…

We have a new Prime Minister and now a new Defence Secretary, so who is Ben Wallace?

The UK wants to put together a European-led maritime protection mission in the Gulf – but what ships are needed and how will it work?

Britain is going to deploy troops to Mali in Africa, but what will they be doing?

And Sitrep’s summer reading list:  delve deep into military history and foreign affairs with Sitrep’s reading list.

PROGRAMME TX 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-line, www.forces.net/sitrep or download the Sitrep Podcast.

In today’s Sitrep with Kate Gerbeau and Christopher Lee…

Royal Navy frigate, HMS Montrose has intercepted three Iranian vessels that were trying to block the path of a British oil tanker in the Gulf.  RUSI Director General Dr Karin von Hippel explains what's going on.

The British Ambassador to Washington has resigned after his diplomatic cables were leaked.  What does this mean for future intelligence co-operation between the US and UK?

Our reporter Claire Sadler has been to see what British Troops in South Sudan are doing for the United Nations mission there.

We talk to Lieutenant General Tim Radford who is leaving his role as Commander of NATO's Allied Rapid Reaction Corps to become Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe.

And why the RAF Benevolent Fund is trying to find veteran airmen and women who've fallen "Off the Radar".

Presented by Kate Gerbeau with BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee.

In today’s Sitrep with Kate Gerbeau and Christopher Lee…

The controversy surrounding the Royal Marines capturing an oil tanker off Gibraltar.

Hong Kong riots - has the UK gone too far in condemning China?

Putin says it's time the West changed its liberal ideas.

The British Ambassador to the United Nations who wanted to be a fighter pilot.

And why Trump won't let the generals rain on his parade.

In today’s Sitrep with Kate Gerbeau and Christopher Lee…

In today’s Sitrep with Kate Gerbeau and Christopher Lee…

13th June 2019

This week on Sitrep:

No more street-fighting. The RAF tracks down IS to the Iraqi mountains.  Air Commodore Justin Reuter talks to Simon Newton

Why two oil tankers were on fire in the Gulf.

Pressure builds in Sudan.  Michelle Gavin, senior fellow for Africa Studies at the Council for Foreign Relations says the country is on a knife edge.

British Forces lead Exercise Baltic Protector.

And what do the Tory Leader hopefuls think about Defence?  Robert Fox from the London Evening Standard has the low-down. Sitrep is presented by Kate Gerbeau and Christopher Lee.

 

In today’s Sitrep with Kate Gerbeau and Christopher Lee…

In Sitrep with James Hirst and Christopher Lee…

 

As Theresa May prepares to step down — what will her legacy be on defence? We hear from one expert who thinks she was never that interested in the forces, and find out which of the candidates vying to replace her has the best defence pedigree.

 

Before she resigns, Mrs May has to host Donald Trump on his state visit to the UK next week — we head to Washington to find out what’s likely to be on the agenda.

 

Fierce fighting resumes in Syria, as government and Russian forces try to wipe out the last remaining rebel stronghold. We’ll ask why the west appears to have stopped paying attention.

 

And ahead of events next week to mark the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings, we hear one veteran’s story from the 6th of June 1944.

 

Guests include:

Lucy Fisher, Defence Correspondent of The Times

Professor Michael Clarke, former director of RUSI and Professor Paul Rogers, Dept of Peace Studies, University of Bradford.

 

In today’s Sitrep with Kate Gerbeau and Christopher Lee…

Why did the Carrier’s Captain have to leave his ship? 

Is Turkey hungry for war with Cyprus?

Should Britain hand back the Chagos (PRO: Chay-gos) Islands?

What are the modern day challenges of UN Peacekeeping operations?

And the essence of being a soldier – the warrant officer’s speech that’s a must-watch for MoD recruiters.

Former Chief of the Defence Staff Lord Dannatt welcomes the Defence Secretary's plans to examine the way historical allegations are handled.

Tensions rise between the Iran and the United States but are they heading towards confrontation? Professor Joshua Landis from the University of Oklahoma explains what's happening and Michael Evans, former Pentagon Correspondent for The Times talks about the mixed messages from the US and UK on the threat level.

US General Michael Garrett explains the how his men will fight in the future.

And the Eurovision Song Contest is taking place in Israel.  Paul "Dr Eurovision" Jordan talks about the politics surrounding this non-political event

Why MP Johnny Mercer has withdrawn support for the government over historical allegations in Northern Ireland.

 

Is the special relationship is back on as Pompeo and Hunt have talks in London.

 

Is Iran a threat to the UK and is Libya being ignored?

 

And army boxing, why it’s attracting an online audience.

 

This week on Sitrep with Kate Gerbeau and Christopher Lee:

Gavin Williamson has lost his job as Defence Secretary.  He was sacked by the Prime Minister because she believes he was the source of a leak from the National Security Council.

The Chairman of the House of Commons Defence Committee Dr Julian Lewis gives his views on Williamson, the new woman in the job Penny Mordaunt and Huawei.

He's joined by Professor Anthony Glees from the University of Buckingham.

And Professor Eric Grove talks discusses the growing naval strength of China and Japan.

 

PROGRAMME TX 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-line, www.forces.net/sitrep or download the Sitrep Podcast.

 

In today’s Sitrep with Kate Gerbeau and Christopher Lee…

In today’s Sitrep with Kate Gerbeau and Christopher Lee…

 

How will Britain stand in NATO after Brexit?

And will NATO get involved in Libya?

Why Trump's veto means the US will continue to back the Saudis in Yemen.

And mine hunting in the Arabian Gulf with the Royal Navy's oldest ship.

 

PROGRAMME TX 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-line, www.forces.net/sitrep or download the Sitrep Podcast.

 

Presented by Kate Gerbeau with Christopher Lee.