BFBS Radio Sitrep

Armed forces complaints; Type 32 Frigate; Royal Marines

Armed forces complaints; Type 32 Frigate; Royal Marines

Released:

The Service Complaints Ombudsman tells Sitrep that - despite progress - the system for raising and addressing grievances in the military is not efficient, effective, or fair.

Sitrep looks at what we know so far about the promised Type 32 Frigate first mentioned by the Prime Minister in the funding...

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Armed forces complaints; Type 32 Frigate; Royal Marines

Released:

The Service Complaints Ombudsman tells Sitrep that - despite progress - the system for raising and addressing grievances in the military is not efficient, effective, or fair.

Sitrep looks at what we know so far about the promised Type 32 Frigate first mentioned by the Prime Minister in the funding...

All Episodes

Award winning Sitrep brings you discussion and analysis on defence, foreign policy and the stories affecting the British Forces. Presented by Kate Gerbeau, with expert analysis from Professor Michael Clarke.

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Sitrep 8th December 2011

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There’s criticism of our policy in Afghanistan but is it really all tactics without strategy?

 

And who and what are behind the latest attacks this week?

 

Find out why they’re demonstrating in Moscow

 

Why mass immigration is a danger to us all

 

Plus, what’s the attraction of describing war?  We find out from one RAF Sgt.

 

PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbau

 

STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee 

 

Interviews with:

 

Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles:  former ambassador of the UK to Afghanistan and Pakistan.

 

Alexander Nekrassov, former advisor to the Kremlin

 

Sgt Alex Ford AKA, RAF Airman who’s blog and tweets have attracted a huge follow

 

 


You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and on BFBS Radio 1 at 1830 (UK time).

 

Alternatively listen again on the website.


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Sitrep 1st December 2011

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What can be done to heal diplomatic relations between the UK and Iran?

 

How can Nato salvage its relationship with Pakistan?

 

Why there’s continued unrest over borders in the Balkans

  

And, find out about a new invention to remove barnacles from the bottom of ships

 

 

PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbau

 

STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee 

 

Interviews with:

 

Middle East Analyst Hazhir Teimourian on Iran

 

Lord Ashdown on , Nato, Pakistan and US relations; the Balkans and European security

 

BFBS News' reporter Tim Cooper on removing barnacles.

 

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You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and on BFBS Radio 1 at 1830 (UK time).

 

Alternatively listen again on the website.

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Sitrep 24th November 2011

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Why military top brass say it's too early to judge whether the war in Afghanistan has been successful

 

The Government will appoint a chief coroner but what will it mean in practical terms to Service families?

 

Why Turkey is forging closer military ties with the UK

  

And there's growing unrest in Egypt  - so what happened to the Arab Spring?

 

 

 

PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbau

 

STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee 

 

Interviews with:

 

British Forces News reporter Geoff Meade in Camp Bastion, Afghanistan.

 

BBC Correspondent Hugh Sykes, in Cairo, Egypt

 

Middle East analyst Jon Marks on the Arab Spring.

 

Kevin Shinkwin from the Royal British Legion on the role of the Chief Coroner

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You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and on BFBS Radio 1 at 1830 (UK time).

 

Alternatively listen again on the website.

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Sitrep 17th November 2011

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Why Britain's top general in Afghanistan is happy with the progress so far.
 
The best way for politicians and the top brass to work out military strategy.
 
Why Cap Badges are an integral and honourable part of the British Army.
 
And what battles would make the Top 20 of Britain’s worst military disasters?
 
 
PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbau
 
STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee
 
Interviews with:
 
British Forces News reporter Geoff Meade talking to Lft Genearl James Bucknall on his time in Afghanistan.
 
Major General Mungo Melvin, talking about military strategy.
 
Julian Farrance from the Army Museum, discussing Cap Badges.

uthor John Withington talking about his new book 'Britain's 20 Worst Military Disaster

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Sitrep 10th November 2011

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SITREP TRAIL 10th November

It’s the end of an era as British troops in Germany prepare for a long march-out.

How worried should we be about Iran’s nuclear weapons programme?

After another fatal accident, just how essential are the Red Arrows?

And we hear how the soldiers in Afghanistan will be remembering their comrades both past and present this coming weekend

.

PRESENTER

: Kate Gerbau

STUDIO GUESTS:

BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee

Interviews with:

British Forces News reporter James Hirst

on the drawdown of British troops in Germany.

Hazhir Teimourian,

Middle Eastanalyst on Iran's nuclear weapon building programme.

Air Chief Marshall Sir Michael Graydon

discussing the role of the Red Arrows.

British Forces News reporter Geoff

Meade in Afghanistan on remembrance.

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Sitrep 3rd November 2011

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Why the West feels so threatened by Iran…

 

Is the Government doing enough to counter the cyber security threat?  And find out how we can all help to police Cyber-Space.

 

How British Forces in Afghanistan have changed the mind set of one former Taliban commander to denounce violence

 

Plus, a very special celebration for the Royal British Legion

 

PRESENTER:  James Hirst

 

STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee 

 

Interviews with:

 

Professor Michael Clarke, director of the Royal United Services Institute talking about the threat Iran poses and the findings of the RUSI survey on defence matters.

 

General Sir Graeme Lamb, former commander of Special Forces, on cyber security

 

British Forces News reporter Geoff Meade in Afghanistan. 

 

Lt General Sir John Kiszely, head of the Royal British Legion

 

You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and on BFBS Radio 1 at 1830 (UK time).

Alternatively listen again on the website.

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Sitrep 20th October 2011

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Now that Sirte has fallen, has NATO fulfilled its role in Libya?
 
How tough is the job of Defence Secretary
 
What can be done to ease the tensions between Kosovo and Serbia?
 
The importance of the Haqqani network in the quest for peace in Afghanistan
 
And why the British Army is breaking the rules using underage soldiers in theatre

  

 

PRESENTER:  Kate GerbauSTUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee. 

 

 

 

You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and on BFBS Radio 1 at 1830 (UK time).

Alternatively listen again on the website.

 

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Sitrep 13th October 2011

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SITREP trail 13th October

The revolutionary forces in Libya are close to securing Sirte - but where is Gaddafi?

How a message in a bottle helped the Royal Navy save a ship from piracy

Why the prisoner exchange between Hamas and the Israelis is vital for the future of the Middle East

And …. why Cyprus continues to be strategically important

PRESENTER

: Matt Teale

STUDIO GUESTS

: BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee.

INTERVIEWS WITH:

Dr Rosemary Hollis,

Professor of Middle East Policy Studies at City University

at City University

British Forces News & Sitrep presenter,

Kate Gerbau in Cyprus

Karen Jacques

from Dryad Maritime Intelligence Services - who monitor the threat of piracy.

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Sitrep 6th October 2011

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It’s been 10 years since British forces were sent to Afghanistan, but are they any closer to securing a successful outcome? 

How has the military strategy changed in that time ?   

Why  Nato says there must be more commitment from its allies

How European security could be threatened by the Eurozone crisis

And , the dogs of war, why our canine friends are so much more than a man’s best friend....

 

 

PRESENTER:     Kate Gerbau

 

STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee. 

 

INTERVIEWS WITH:

 

BBC 's Paul Wood in Afghanistan

 

James Blitz, the Financial Times Defence & Security Editor, on the Eurozone crisis.

 

British Forces News’ reporter Will Inglis on how the forces' equipment has improved in the past 10 years

 

British Forces News’ reporter James Hirst on the Tory Party conference.

 

You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and on BFBS Radio 1 at 1830 (UK time).

Alternatively listen again on the website.

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Sitrep 29th September 2011

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The Royal Navy is set to announce details of redundancies tomorrow...former First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Jonathon Band tells Sitrep how he thinks this will affect the Senior Service

What impact will redundancies have on morale?  The Navy Families Federation tell us what support systems are in place to help those affected

There’s been  job losses at BAe – but are we losing too much expertise from the defence industry/

Why the Labour Party claim they are the party for the military

And,  today would have been Admiral Nelson’s birthday –what would he make  of  today’s modern Forces?

 

 

PRESENTER:     Kate Gerbau

 

STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee. 

 

INTERVIEWS WITH:

 

Former First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Jonathon Band, on redundancies in the Royal Navy

 

Kim Richardson, Chair of the Navy Families Association

 

British Forces News’ reporter James Hirst from the Labour Party conference

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Sitrep 22nd September 2011

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The latest from Libya as anti-Gaddafi forces battle their way to Sirte
Two years ago former Ghurkhas won the right to stay in the UK, but is the infrastructure there to support them?
What the Libl Dem’s think about defence issues.
And why World War One still fascinates us after all these years
 
PRESENTER:     Matt Teale
 
STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee. 
 
INTERVIEWS WITH:
Alastair Leithead, BBC Correspondent en route to Sirte, Libya with the NTC troops.  The BBC’s correspondent in Kabul,, Bilal Sarwary
Gerald Howarth, Conservative MP for Aldershot, one area where former Gurkhas have settled.Peter Carroll, of the Justice For  Gurkhas Campaign
British Forces News’ reporter James Hirst from the Lib Dem Party conference.
British Forces News’ reporter Tim Cooper visits the  replica WW1 trenches used by the popular TV series, Downton Abbey

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Sitrep September 15th 2011

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How the UK is planning to help Libya get back on its feet

 After the siege in Kabul – how prepared are Afghan forces to take control of their country’s security?

 Why cyber security remains a global threat

 And what makes a hero, is it outstanding bravery or just a question of luck?

 PRESENTER:     Matt Teale

 STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee. 

 INTERVIEWS WITH:Oliver Miles the former ambassador to Libya

The BBC’s correspondent in Kabul,, Bilal Sarwary

Claire Yorke, co-author of the Chatham House report on Cyber security

Matt Croucher GC, author of The Royal British Legion  book 90 YEARS OF HEROES

(Published by Collins)

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Sitrep 8th September 2011

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The Baha Mousa Inquiry publishes its report but have conditions changed sufficiently to prevent this happening again?
 
Are former injured service personnel getting the special treatment they were promised in the Military Covenant
 
The legacy of 9/11 on America ten years on
 
And... find out why identifying the enemy could be increasingly difficult with the invention of an Invisibility Cloak
 

PRESENTER:     Matt Teale
STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee. 
INTERVIEWS WITH:
Gisela Stuart, MP, sits on the House of Commons Defence Select Committee, discusses injured service personnel
Simon Marks of Feature Story in Washington talking about the 10th Anniversary of 9/11
Mike Sweeney of BAE Systems on the invention of an Invisibility Cloak that could potentially disguise tanks

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Sitrep 1st September 2011

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SITREP trail 1 September

In an exclusive interview on Sitrep , the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, William Hague, speaks to Kate Gerbau about rebuilding  Libya, the wider Arab Spring and the future of Afghanistan.

Plus: As the Army & RAF find out the details of their redundancy programmes what impact will it have on morale and the future fighting capability of the Services?

PRESENTER:      Kate Gerbau

STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee. 

INTERVIEWS WITH:

The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, William Hague

Patrick Mercer,¸MP, & former British Army officer – discussing Army redundancies.

Dawn McCafferty from the RAF Families Federation on how morale will be affected by the redundancies

You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and on BFBS Radio 1 at 1830 (UK time).

Alternatively listen again on the website.

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Sitrep 25th August 2011

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After  a six month campaign it’s the end of the road for Gaddafi as Tripoli falls – but what’s next for Libya?
In a special edition Sitrep speaks to the Secretary of State for Defence, Liam Fox, who discusses how Britain has been helping the rebels track down Gaddafi and the help NATO can provide to help a smooth transition of government.
Plus: the key role RAF’s Sentinel spy plane has played in intelligence gathering.



PRESENTER:      Kate Gerbau
STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee
INTERVIEWS WITH: Secretary of State for Defence, Liam Fox
Professor Michael Clarke: the Director of the Royal United Services Institute,

BFBS reporter Cath Brazier on the role of the RAF's Sentinel spy plane

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Sitrep 18th August 2011

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Is Gadaffi's grip on Libya coming to an end?
 
And if so, how ready are the rebels to take control?
 
How bribery and corruption are hampering aid to Afghanistan.
 
The latest controversy surrounding the Carrier programme.
 
And, discover the weird and wonderful ways the allies tried to defeat Hitler during WW11

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Sitrep 11th August 2011

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Should the Army have been brought in to help with this week’s riots?
What are the wider consequences for America’s engagement in Afghanistan?
How climate change has become a threat to our security.
And the wider message of Aghanistan’s new TV Sitcom.
 
PRESENTER: Matt Teale
STUDIO GUESTS: BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee and Robert Fox, the EveningStandard’s Defence Corresponent

INTERVIEWS WITH:
Captain DougBeattie, who’s been in the Armyfor almost thirty years and is now in the TA on this week’s riots & whether or not the Army should have been involved.
Dr. Michael Stathis, Professor of Political Science and International Relations at Southern Utah University on public opinion in Amercia after the loss of the Chinook helicopter last weekend.
The Energy and Climate Change Secretary, Chris Huhne, on why climate change is a threat to our future security.

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Sitrep 28th July 2011

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SITREP Thursday 28 July 
The reasons behind the UK's decisionto recognise the Libyan rebels as Libya’s sole power
 
What’s the prognosis of the Arabspring -  is it fizzling out ?
 
Plus, Sitrep finds out how Forces’ familiesare coping as the Army faces even more redundancies
 
And, the political consequences of therecent explosions in Cyprus.
 
PRESENTER:      Kate Gerbau
STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defenceanalyst, Christopher Lee.  & Major General Julian Thompson, formercommander of the Royal Marines
INTERVIEWS WITH:
Fawaz Gerges,Professor of Middle Eastern Policy at the London School of Economics.
Oliver Miles,former UK ambassador to Libya
Catherine Spencer, Army Families Federation
Tabitha Morgan, Cypriot analyst

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Sitrep 21st July 2011

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What sort of shape will the UK's army be in after yet more cuts are announced? 
And what impact will it have on morale?
Why the hand-over of Lashkar Gah is critical to Afghanistan's future
And..how instrumental was the campaign to save RAF Lossiemouth in securing the base's future?

PRESENTER:Kate Gerbau
STUDIO GUEST:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee. 
INTERVIEWS WITH:
Lt General Sir Graeme Lamb & MP Patrick Mercer on the cuts to the Army and the increase in reserves.
George McIntyre, Convener of Moray Council and part of the 'save Lossiemouth campaign'.
BFBS's Rob Olver, in Afghanistan on the handover of Lashkar Gah
Kim Sengupta, The Independent's defence correspondent, on Afghanistan.

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