In Sitrep this week..........

Why there’s continued concern for Afghanistan’s future after ISAF forces leave

Find out who’s the power behind the throne of North Korea’s young leader

The military legacy of Baroness Thatcher & why the Lady loved Milk Tray…..

And it’s been 15 years since the Northern Ireland Good Friday Agreement, but how much of a difference has it made to lasting peace?

OTHER INTERVIEWS:  

Professor Paul Rogers – from the Department of Peace Studies at Bradford University discussing Afghanistan and North Korea

Major General Julian Thompson, who commanded the Marines during the Falklands campaign, shares his memories of meeting Baroness Thatcher.

Northern Ireland analyst Chris Ryder, reflecting on the 15^th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement

There’s warnings from UK and US commanders in Afghanistan ahead of the summer fighting season

And there’s concern in Pakistan as they head towards national elections

As America reacts to North Korea’s rhetoric just how seriously should we be taking the threat?

Plus:  the RAF celebrates 95 years – but what will the air force look like in the future?

PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbeau

STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee

OTHER INTERVIEWS:  

Forces News’ reporter James Hirst reporting from Camp Bastion

Jason Strother, a reporter based in Seoul, discussing the North Korean crisis

Air Marshall Sir John Walker –Chief of the Intelligence Staff from 1991 to 1994, discussing the Korean crisis and also talking about the RAF

Elizabeth Quintana – an expert in unmanned air vehicles and the use of space assets at the Royal United Services Institute, looking at the future of the RAF

Why there’s going to be more cuts to the defence budget
 
Who are the different rebel groups  in Syria and what do they want?
 
Now the banks are open – what does the future hold for Cyprus, and could it happen here in the UK?
 
And, It’s the end of an era for the military’s Search and Rescue.
 
 PRESENTER:  Kate GerbeauSTUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee
 
OTHER INTERVIEWS: 
 
Professor Rosemary Hollis, professor of Middle East policy studies at City University discussing Syria.
 
Forces News’ reporter Tim Cooper reporting on the financial crisis in Cyprus.
 
Forces News’ reporter Julie Knox on the Search & Rescue team
 
You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and on BFBS Radio at 1830 (UK time)
Alternatively listen again on the website

Ten years since the invasion of Iraq Sitrep reflects on the anniversary and speaks to former Prime Minister Tony Blair and Colonel Tim Collins, who led his men into Iraq.
 
Plus, the man dubbed the ‘Vicar of Baghdad’ who initially supported the war explains why he’s now changed his mind
 
The latest from Cyprus where the financial crisis continues
 
And find out what the new Chief of the Defence Staff has in his in-tray
 
 PRESENTER:  Kate GerbeauSTUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee
 
OTHER INTERVIEWS: 
 
Colonel Tim Collins, who commanded the 1st Batallion, Royal Irish Regiment during the Iraq war in 2003
 
Canon of Baghdad Andrew White, dubbed the ‘Vicar of Baghdad’, he runs a Christian church in Baghdad.
 
Former Prime Minister Tony Blair.
 
Forces News’ reporter Carla Prater from Cyprus discussing the financial crisis and its affects on British Forces over there.
 
You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and on BFBS Radio at 1830 (UK time)
Alternatively listen again on the website

Two years on & the Syrian conflict is ongoing – is there anything the international community can do end hostilities?

Concerns what an Independent Scotland will mean for defence…

How serious are North Korea’s threats to use nuclear weapons

How advances in frontline trauma care benefit not only the armed forces but also the NHS

And, find out what the new Pope thinks about the Falklands Islands……..

PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbeau

STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee

OTHER INTERVIEWS: 

Sir Andrew Green, former ambassador to Syria

Andrea Berger, an expert on nuclear issues at the Royal United Services
Institute,

British Forces News reporter Fiona Weir reporting from the hospital at Camp Bastion.

Surgeon Commodore Alasdair Walker, Medical Director at Joint Medical Command

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

Alternatively listen again on the website

This week……

How the Army’s move from Germany will impact on local services in the UK

How Britain is helping the Syrian rebels

Why the Falkland Islanders will show a united front this weekend

And find out who’s in line to be the next Chief of the Defence Staff?

PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbeau

STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee and Professor Michael Clarke from the Royal United Services Institute

OTHER INTERVIEWS: 

British Forces News reporter Ali Gibson speaks to Maj Gen John Henderson about drawdown in Germany

British Forces News reporter Rosie Laydon reporting from the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps HQ.

British Forces News reporter Cath Brazier reports from the Falkland Islands on the forthcoming referendum.

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

Alternatively listen again on the website

Western leaders meet Syrian rebels in Rome - but will they give them what they want?

Can the MOD make 11 billion pounds worth of cuts over the next ten years?

Find out everything you need to know about America’s new Defence Secretary.

And after a long campaign the Arctic Convey veterans finally receive the recognition they’ve fought so long for.

PRESENTER:  James Hirst

STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee

OTHER INTERVIEWS: 

Professor Paul Rogers from the Department for Peace Studies at Bradford University on Syria and defence spending.

Professor Malcolm Chalmers from the Royal United Services Institute on defence cuts

British Forces News reporter Victoria Smith meets one of the Arctic Convoy veterans.

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

Alternatively listen again on the website

The aid budget could be used for defence-related operations but what does that mean for British forces?

Was he PM’s visit to India a success?

The truth about war – are today’s reporters telling the full story?

Plus - cyber warfare, Chinese style

And find out why British soldiers are training in extreme conditions in the arctic

PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbeau

STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee

OTHER INTERVIEWS: 

British Forces News reporter Rob Olver at the Nato Defence Ministers’ meeting in Brussels.

The BBC’s Andrew North on the PM’s visit to India

Journalist and former Grenadier Guards Vaughan Smith on the media and the military.

British Forces News reporter Julie Knox on Exercise Arctic Norway

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

Alternatively listen again on the website.

Heading for exit – but what will Afghanistan look like after 2014?

What  can the international community  do about North Korea's nuclear tests?

How Mali and Algeria can learn from the democratic progress made in Somalia

And the TA on TV - but will the recruitment drive work?

PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbeau

STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee

OTHER INTERVIEWS: 

Michael Evans, the Pentagon correspondent from The Times looking at withdrawing troops from Afghanistan

Andrea Berger from RUSI on North Korea and arms control

Author James Fergusson discussing Mali and Somalia

British Forces News reporter James Hirst discussing Argentina’s Foreign Minister’s visit.

British Forces News reporter Charlotte Cross on the TA

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

Alternatively listen again on the website

 .

How long will French troops stay in Mali; and could Tunisia see more unrest?

What’s behind the MoD’s announcement on international soft defence?

Why the Argentine minister refused to meet the representatives from the Falklands Islands

And why the Forces Snow championships in Meribel are key to good morale

PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbeau

STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee

OTHER INTERVIEWS: 

Dr Berny Sebi from Birmingham University looking at the French military involvement in Mali.

Professor Michael Stathis from Southern Utah University discussing the use of drones.

British Forces News reporter Will Inglis speaking to Lt Gen Adrian Bradshaw, Commander Land Forces and Afghanistan’s chief of the General Staff, General Sher Mohammed  Karimi

British Forces News reporter James Hirst discussing Argentina’s Foreign Minister’s visit.

British Forces News reporter Jon Knighton from Mirabel.

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

Alternatively listen again on the website.

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

Alternatively listen again on the website.

The Secretary of State for Defence Phillip Hammond speaks to Kate Gerbeau on Sitrep and discusses the British deployment to Mali and today's news about defence spending......

Also this week: how do you stop extremism – is education the answer rather than conflict?

And find out why the Defence Select Committee want to hear your views on the provision of Service children’s education

PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbeau

STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee

OTHER INTERVIEWS: 

The Secretary of State for Defence Phil Hammond discussing Mali, defence cuts and Syria

Lt Gen Jonathan Riley on the British Forces mission to Mali

President of the Quilliam Foundation Noman Benotman on extremism

The Chair of the Defence Select Committee James Arbuthnot on Service children’s education

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

Alternatively listen again on the website.

Should more troops should go to Mali and why North Africa is now a global concern?

What shape will the Army be in after the latest round of redundancies?  And can the Reserves plug the hole?

Who are the new names at the top of the military command?

How should the centenary of the First World War be commemorated?

And how does the Prime Minister’s Europe speech affect the Armed Forces?

PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbeau

STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee & Major General Julian Thompson

OTHER INTERVIEWS: 

Forces News reporter Charlotte Cross with a report from Mali

The Shadow Secretary of State for Defence Jim Murphy discussing Mali, defence cuts and women on the front line

WW1 Centenary commemorations with Professor Sir Hew Strachan (pro: STRAWN) and Major Sir Michael Parker – organiser of many Royal Tournaments and military events.

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

Alternatively listen again on the website.

Is the Hostage crisis in Algeria retaliation against the French intervention in Mali or something else?
 
Why Russia’s top general tells Nato that Afghanistan pull out spells disaster
 
Are forces children getting a good deal when it comes to their education?
 
And what prompts A-listers like David Beckham and Ray Winstone to visit injured troops in hospital?
PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbeau

STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee
 
OTHER INTERVIEWS:
Analytst Jon Marks on Algeria
BBC Mark Doyle in Mali
Headteacher Su Scrimshaw telling us what it’s like to run a school where the majority of students are from Forces’ families.
Sir Bob Russell from the Commons Defence Select Committee discussing Service children’s education
Forces News reporter Claire Sadler talking to actor Ray Winstone
 
You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and on BFBS Radio at 1830 (UK time)
Alternatively listen again on the website.

Will America keep its commitment to Afghanistan post 2014

And what difference will the new faces in the US Administration make to the transition?

What can we do to increase our cyber security awareness?

Why there’s an increasing worry that Syria will use chemical weapons

And how do you stop the violence and demonstrations in Northern Ireland…..

PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbeau

STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee & Dr Martin Macauley from University College London

OTHER INTERVIEWS: 

Professor Michael Stathis, political scientist from Southern Utah University

Forces Radio reporterTim Cooper on the National Audit Office Report, speaking to Phillip Hammond

Forces Radio reporter Rosie Laydon on Cyber Security interviewing Major General Jonathan former head of cyber-security at the MoD.

Northern Ireland analyst Chris Ryder on Belfast.

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

Alternatively listen again on the website.

This week there’s more pressure from Argentina over its claims to the Falklands Islands

Why America thinks Europe should pay for its own defence and security including Afghanistan.

There’s a warning over military intervention in Syria & the consequences of drone strikes in Yemen.

And there’s concerns over the future capabilities of the Royal Navy.

PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbeau

STUDIO GUEST:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee & Professor Paul Rogers, from the Dept of Peace Studies at Bradford University.

OTHER INTERVIEWS: 

Jonathan Foreman from Civitas Institute discussing moving the international aid budget to the armed forces.

Professor Sir Paul Newton on Syria 

Iona Craig, the Times Yemen correspondent, on drone strikes in Yemen

Steve Bush editor of British Warships And Auxiliaries 2013/14

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

Alternatively listen again on the website.

This week Sitrep looks back at events that have shaped 2012  & Britain’s Armed Forces
 
From transition in Afghanistan to civil war in Syria
 
A year that remembered the Falkland's conflict & saw trouble returning to the streets of Belfast
 
It was a summer of celebration and ceremony for the military, but what’s in store for 2013?
 
Listen to this week’s Sitrep and find out…
 
You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and on BFBS Radio at 1830 (UK time)
Alternatively listen again on the website.
 PRESENTER:  Kate GerbeauSTUDIO GUEST:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee and Major General Julian Thompson
 
OTHER Contributors:
 
BFBS Reporters Tim Cooper in Cyprus, Rob Olver in Germany and Steve Britton in Brunei.

The Chancellor’s Autumn statement – what does it mean for  Defence?

Find out how much progress has been made with the military covenant one year on

The new Deputy Commander of ISAF speaks about his hopes for the Afghan people.

Was this week’s NATO meeting Hilary Clinton’s farewell as US Foreign Secretary?

And, could the new US Ambassador be wearing Prada…….

PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbeau

STUDIO GUEST:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee

OTHER INTERVIEWS: 

BFBS Reporter James Hirst on the Autumn Statement and James Blitz – the security and defence editor of the Financial Times

Catherine Spencer, Chief Exec of the Army Families Federation on the military covenant & the hardships facing US Army wives .

The Deputy Commander of ISAF Lt General Nick Parker

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

Alternatively listen again on the website.

What’s the state of Britain’s military justice system?
 
Find out what concerns Nato's Secretary General has for Afghanistan and his hopes for a smooth transition.
 
Who are the M23 & why we should be concerned
 
And, the search for Burma’s missing spitfires

PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbeau

STUDIO GUEST:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee
 
 
You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and on BFBS Radio at 1830 (UK time)
Alternatively listen again on the website.

A ceasefire’s been declared but what’s next in the long quest for peace between Gaza and Israel?

Find out why the British Army in Kenya have been building a new base

And why former Cypriot dissidents might sue the British Army

Plus...  the story behind Portsmouth’s new Book shop and Naval art gallery

PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbeau

STUDIO GUEST:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee

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

Alternatively listen again on the website.