BFBS Sitrep

This week we are joined by Dr Julian Lewis, Chair of the Commons Defence Committee to discuss defence spending and why the UK needs a full time National Security Adviser. Christina Lamb, chief foreign correspondent for the Sunday Times talks about the Taliban peace talks and whether they will bring long term peace to Afghanistan. We're tracking the Adrian Darya 1.  The oil tanker that was seized b...

The Prime Minister's decision to temporarily suspend parliament and have a new Queen's Speech means the Chancellor is planning his spending.  Defence analysts Francis Tusa and Professor Michael Clarke discuss whether defence could lose out. We track the Iranian tanker formerly known as Grace 1.  It's now called Adrian Darya 1 and is trying to find somewhere to refuel in the eastern Mediterranean,...

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 str...

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.  Genera...

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 rep...

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 d...

In today’s Sitrep with Kate Gerbeau and 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...

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...

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 m...

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 join...

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

Presented by Kate Gerbeau with Christopher Lee.

In today’s Sitrep with Kate Gerbeau and Christopher Lee - Is India now a super-power? How London and Moscow are trying to improve relations. Plus, why do people leave the armed forces?  And what should the Mod do to increase retention And, how one part of Brexit IS happening on time tomorrow.

This week on Sitrep with Kate Gerbeau and Christopher Lee: It's 2019 and if you're a woman, you can now apply to do every single job in the British Armed Forces. We celebrate International Women's Day by hearing from some of the top female voices in defence, including: Dr Karin Von Hippel, Director General of the Royal United Services Institute. Colonel Lucy Giles, President of the Army Selection...

28th February This week on Sitrep with Kate Gerbeau and Christopher Lee: President Trump and Kim Jong-un have said no deal this time on nuclear warheads.  We hear from Professor Robert Kelly of Pusan University in South Korea and Professor Michael Stathis from the University of Southern Utah in the USA. Why has nobody managed to find a solution to the conflict over Kashmir?  Dr Dan Plesch from SOA...