BFBS Radio Sitrep

Liz Truss promised big on Defence in her campaign to replace Boris Johnson – now she has to deliver.BFBS Sitrep assesses what a big uplift in the defence budget could be spent on, how she will handle the Ukraine war, and whether the forces are facing another shake up.Russia expected to win in Ukraine within days, six months on it needs millions more rockets and shells and it’s turned to North Korea to supply them. But how good are those munitions?And a former member of the SBS tells us the extraordinary story of how he’s rebuilt his life after being shot in the neck, and paralysed.

A former member of the SBS shares his remarkable story with BFBS Sitrep.It was Toby Gutteridge’s dream job, but then it tore his life apart.He was shot in the neck in Afghanistan, leaving him paralysed.13 years on he runs his own clothing business, and has just written his autobiography.From getting selected for special forces, through the incident that almost killed him, to a breakdown and rebuilding of his life he tells us how he’s been given a second chance that he won’t throw away.

The compensation system for injured service personnel has been accused of ‘lacking humanity’ after an assessment panel was heard laughing at a claimant.A veteran turned journalist tells BFBS Sitrep it’s far from a one off, as the government promises improvements.Defence Intelligence has a new chief, and for the first time it’s a civilian. We ask if that matters as we investigate the job of Defence Intelligence.And we assess the military legacy of Mikhail Gorbachev, the final Soviet leader who thawed the cold war and allowed the map of Europe to be redrawn.

When Russia invaded Ukraine we thought it would probably be over in days. That was 6 months ago. So how, and when will it end?BFBS Sitrep gets the assessments of experienced military minds, the Armed Forces Minister, and our own Professor Michael Clarke.Thousands of Afghans who worked with British Forces were promised new lives in the UK, but a year on many are still in limbo living in hotels. We hear how it’s affecting them and ask who is responsible for sorting it.And a former Royal Marine shares his story of bluffing and negotiating with the Taliban to get top Japanese diplomats, his team, and himself out of Kabul.

Former Royal Marine H Collins led the last diplomatic team out Kabul’s green zone as the Taliban marched on the city.He was responsible for the safety of Japan’s top diplomats, and dozens of colleagues.But hours after getting them to his security company’s HQ they were surrounded, and then had to choose between fighting their way out or negotiating with insurgents wearing suicide vests.He shares his remarkable story with Sian​ Grzeszczyk in this extra edition of BFBS Sitrep.

The EU is hosting crisis talks, trying to prevent a new conflict between Serbia and Kosovo.NATO’s KFOR mission, including British troops, still has a UN peacekeeping mandate in Kosovo but what could trigger their intervention?Has the balance of power shifted in favour of Ukraine, as Russia takes two significant hits in annexed Crimea? A former Commanding General of the US Army Europe gives us his assessment.And the incredible story of British, Dutch and Australian prisoners of war who survived the Nagasaki atomic bomb, little more than a mile from where it landed.

12 months since the Taliban swept back into power BFBS Sitrep assesses what the return of the militants has meant for our security, the people of Afghanistan, and those who had worked for Britain but could not escape.Despite Taliban promises not to shelter international terrorists the head of Al Qaeda was found in Kabul, and killed last week by the US, so does Afghanistan pose a threat to the UK once more?We hear from Lynne O’Donnell, who has reported from Afghanistan across more than 2 decades, about life in the country now and being taken at gunpoint by Taliban officials.And the government says hundreds of people, including former interpreters, approved to come to the UK are still in Afghanistan. We talk to a former Army officer who’s been trying to get people to safety.

Journalist Lynne O’Donnell gives us a rare first-hand insight into how the Taliban is operating in Afghanistan.That insight has come at a cost, her life threatened as she was detained by officials, despite entering Afghanistan with a media visa.She tells BFBS Sitrep how it was deeply frightening and yet ‘darkly satirical’, revealing incompetence and chaos.

China says it will punish those who offend it as it launches live fire military drills off the coast of Taiwan. Sitrep looks at China’s tactics and how the United States is responding.  What role are cyber attacks playing in the war in Ukraine? And what are the lessons for the UK? Sitrep speaks to the former head of the National Cyber Security Centre, Ciaran Martin, who also discusses the difference between Russian and Chinese cyber capabilities.And Sitrep has a tour aboard the Royal Navy’s unique testbed ship which is designed to support trials of the latest tech and autonomous systems.

China has just overtaken counter-terrorism as the biggest effort inside MI6, and the head of the Royal Navy says China is a bigger long term threat than Russia.BFBS Sitrep examines a list of top level warnings issued this week about the risk of conflict with China, and asks if Ukraine has taken our eye off the ball.As Ukraine tries to retake the port city of Kherson we talk to an MP who’s just visited the country.And a year after he quit the government over the treatment of Northern Ireland veterans, Johnny Mercer tells us why he’s returned as Veterans Minister.