BFBS Radio Sitrep

Will the west ever be able to leave Afghanistan? The final withdrawal of foreign troops, after 20 years, is on hold again after a surge in violence we speak to a former British ambassador in Kabul about what needs to happen for remaining UK and other forces to leave. Speculation continues about what’s going to be in next month’s defence review — we hear from a senior Conservative MP worried cuts to the forces could harm Britain’s international reputation. We report from Cyprus, where British troops are training to join the most dangerous UN peacekeeping mission in the world. And with Prince Harry confirming he won’t return full-time to the royal family, a few honorary military titles are up for grab

Sitrep pays tribute to its long-time defence analyst, former presenter and editor, Christopher Lee, who died at the age of 79. We’ll hear some highlights from his three decades on the programme, and from some of those he worked with over the years. Plus, as Boris Johnson prepares to host a virtual gathering of G7 leaders, what difference will the presence of new US President Joe Biden make? NATO discusses its future in Afghanistan, as violence continues in the country. And we report on a move to end what the Prime Minister called a “very great injustice” — the removal of medals from hundreds of people thrown out of the forces over their sexuality.

The United States is ending its support for Saudi Arabia’s offensive against Yemen, with Joe Biden saying it’s triggered a humanitarian catastrophe. But Britain is so far refusing to follow the US President’s lead, saying it makes its own decisions about arms sales — so should we continue to arm and support the Saudis? And can you seriously claim to be pushing for peace when you’re also selling weapons to one side in a conflict? Does the Army have enough battle-ready troops? A previously secret report suggests infantry battalions are running short, and the opposition is demanding action. Plus, as Britain reveals more about offensive cyber operations against the Islamic State group, we debate the ethics of cyber warfare. Just because you can take down another country’s computer systems, or shut down their power grid, does that mean you should?

Five months ago Vladimir Putin’s most prominent critic was almost killed in a nerve agent attack — now he’s been jailed for 3-and-a-half years. Alexei Navalny says it’s Putin’s punishment for surviving the poisoning — and a warning to the huge crowds who’ve joined protests in more than a-hundred cities. But what should the west do about it? And how much will countries like the UK be willing to do? We look at the coup in Myanmar that’s seen Aung San Suu Kyi deposed and locked up. And we report on a new warning about the state of much military accommodation, and claims it’s worsening a retention crisis in the forces. Plus we look back at the extraordinary life of Captain Sir Tom Moore, after his death this week at the age of 100.

Days after Taiwan’s de facto ambassador in the US attended Joe Biden’s inauguration, China sent fighter jets into Taiwanese airspace. It’s being seen as a warning to the new US President not to intervene in what China sees as its affairs. In this week’s Sitrep, we hear from one expert on China, who fears a conflict over Taiwan is almost inevitable. Ten years after the Arab Spring, we ask why the dreams of a transition to democracy failed. And as the Chief of the Air Staff sets out his vision for the future of the RAF, we discuss the ethical implications of an autonomous fighter jet.

Sitrep hears from a former British ambassador in the US, and the Chairman of the Commons Defence Select Committee, on what a Biden administration means for Britain. As hospitals struggle to cope with a surge in coronavirus patients, the military is called in to help out. Also what will happen to Russia’s most prominent opposition activist, Alexei Navalny, who was detained on his return to the country? Plus a new service to help veterans in London struggling with mental health problems, and find out why Boris might be sending his Cabinet ministers to Sandhurst…

Donald Trump becomes the first US President to be impeached twice — but he remains in office. This week’s Sitrep asks what would happen if the Commander-in-Chief tried to launch military action in his final days in the White House. His successor faces calls from a group of politicians in the UK to keep American troops in Afghanistan — but is their presence vital for peace talks with the Taliban? And on the thirtieth anniversary of the start of the first Gulf War, Sitrep speaks to some of those involved in making the big decisions in the operation to force Saddam Hussein out of Kuwait, including a former Prime Minister.

The first Sitrep of 2021 looks at two huge stories in the first week of the year, whose impact could be felt far longer. In the United States, a mob raids Congress, trying to prevent the certification of Joe Biden’s election victory. How will the chaotic scenes in Washington DC be seen in London, Moscow and Beijing? Meanwhile, at home, Boris Johnson announces a new lockdown to try to curb spiralling coronavirus cases — the response to the pandemic is now the biggest-ever domestic peacetime military operation. We’ll take a longer look too at some of the other big issues likely to dominate the coming year. Fresh from its funding boost, is the MoD about to face some more tough spending decisions? Will 2021 be the year international forces finally leave Afghanistan? And what will the Biden presidency mean for America’s global allies?

Sitrep looks back at an unpredictable and challenging year and assesses how it has changed Defence. Key figures involved in the military response to Covid discuss the lessons learned. The programme also hears from experts in the domains of Cyber and Space. And Professor Michael Clarke, the former Director of RUSI, gives his assessment of 2020 for the armed forces.

What could be the impact of planned budget cuts on Navy and Army reservists training? We ask what are the challenges facing NATO and how should the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps respond? And we hear how military logistics experts have worked through the Covid 19 pandemic and what lessons have been learnt