BFBS Sitrep

  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...

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     PRESENTE...

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?   PR...

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...

  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:...

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: ...

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 B...

What next for Syria as the violence continues to escalate?   What’s behind the latest trouble in Northern Ireland ?   Could North Korea’s rocket launch elevate their   status on the world stage?   How a mother’s story of her soldier son may help young officers.   And why women might make better spies than men..........     PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbeau STUDIO GUEST:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher...

  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 S...

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 B...

  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...

The Chief of Defence Staff warns ministers not to expect too much from a cut-down military.    A Royal Navy Submariner admits attempting to pass secrets to the Russians. Professor Eric Grove explains the dark history of spying submariners.   Britain calls for restraint in Gaza - what could be the consequences of this latest outbreak of violence?   Geoff Meade reports from Exercise Albanian Lion.  ...

The Government's plans to attract more reservists to the Army   What’s the global reaction to President Obama’s election victory? Find out which countries wish he hadn’t won and why   Should we trade arms with the Middle East?   And why the CIA are funding social media in Cuba  PRESENTER:  PAUL OSBOURNE STUDIO GUEST:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee     You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 16...

With one week to go until America elects its President who has the best foreign and defence policy And why the Middle East will be foremost in the next President’s mind Why getting inside a terrorists mind could help us counter the terrorism threat Find out about the campaign to protect the graves of Victoria Cross heroes And British Forces say goodbye to the last Military hospital in Cyprus   PRE...

Why British troops could be involved in Mali, Africa (pro: Mar-lee)   Who’s leading the race to become America’s next President?   The logistics of withdrawal from Afghanistan, what   plans are being drawn up for the eventual exit?   Plus.... the forgotten voices of the Second World War who still have so much to say………   PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbeau STUDIO GUEST:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher L...

SITREP Oct 18th    Gen Mike Jackson tell Sitrep what he thinks about the ‘generals for hire’ scandal   The Scottish National Party finally reveal their plans for an independent Scottish defence policy   Why the Fusiliers are marching to Parliament today   And should Commonwealth soldiers be given the right to stay in the UK when they leave the Services…….   PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbeau STUDIO GUEST: ...

What’s behind the collapse of the defence merger between BAE & EADS?   Why the Foreign Secretary William Hague remains committed to the combat mission in Afghanistan   And why a new report casts doubt over Afghanistan’s future post 2014   What the Tory Party have had to say about defence in this week’s Party Conference   And the story of the former Para who nearly became a Taliban recruit.    PRES...

  As tensions rise between Syria & Turkey what are the implications of this latest development   Are NATO troops heading for an earlier than expected exit from Afghanistan?   Find out what Labour has on its agenda for defence   And ….the Navy’s aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth won’t be ready for at least 8 years, so why has it already got its own crew   PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbeau STUDIO GUEST: ...

SITREP September 27th   World leaders converge in New York for the UN General Assembly, but what's the true value of the United Nations?   Water cannons are fired during a three way wrangle over islands in the far East, but what does it say about China's military plans?   What do the Lib Democrats think about Defence?   And find out the significance of the parades  through the streets of Belfast t...

After a difficult week in Afghanistan   Sitrep looks at the main political and military challenges facing Nato.   Could an independent Scotland defend itself without help from the UK   Is Afghanistan set to become cricket’s next powerhouse?   And Paddy Ashdown on the Cockleshell heroes     PRESENTER :  Kate Gerbeau STUDIO GUEST :  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee       INTERVIEWS:    Profes...

What the proposed merger between Bae & EAD means for British defence.   What's behind the assassination of the American ambassador to Libya?   Why Syria’s future depends on the action of a neighbouring NATO country.   And find out why the Iranians are accusing the West of stealing their rainclouds...   PRESENTER :  Kate Gerbeau STUDIO GUEST :  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee     Middle Eas...

SITREP September 6th   PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbeau STUDIO GUEST:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee     After the Prime Minister’s re-shuffle who are the new, key people at the Ministry of Defence?   Find out what President Obama is promising for another term in the White House.   Why there’s trouble on the streets of Belfast.   And– what it’s like to be a Muslim soldier in today's British Army...

SITREP August 30th   How will this week’s green-on-blue attacks in Afghanistan affect post-2014 withdrawal?   As the US Presidential election campaign heats up - what is the foreign & defence policy strategies of the Democrat and the Republicans parties?   Why there’s growing concern over Mali in Africa.   And why there’s such a close bond between the Paralympics and the military.   PRESENTER:  Gl...

SITREP August 23rd   Britain and the United States warn Syria over chemical weapons, while the Israelis watch with concern   Why drones are the weapons of choice for a slimmed down armed forces   Plus…How well are injured personnel cared for by the NHS?     PRESENTER:  David Spencer STUDIO GUEST:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee     Interviews: Professor Paul Rogers, Dept of Peace Studies...

SITREP August 16th   Is the Armed Forces breaching it's own covenant through their treatment of commonwealth veterans?   Will the actions of the group Pussy Riot spark further protests in Russia?   Plus we examine Russia's relationship with Syria and the growing influence from China.   And we recognise the achievements of a Naval convoy in Malta during the second world war.   PRESENTER:  Glen Mans...