BFBS Radio Sitrep

In (today’s) Sitrep with Kate Gerbeau and Christopher Lee: Are Islamic State really defeated in Syria or is it wishful thinking by President Trump? The UK hosts the Nato’s 70th summit later this year – is it chance to modernise the alliance? Find out why there are now more Gurkhas joining the British Army than in the past 30 years. And as we wave goodbye to the Tornado, Sitrep looks at how it will compare to other “iconic” RAF aircraft That’s all in  Sitrep, Thurs at 6.30 UK time, or listen to the Podcast at any time. PROGRAMME TX THURSDAYS at 4:30pm UK TIME on BFBS RADIO 2 and at 6:30pm UK TIME on BFBS & UK Bases You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and at 1830 (UK time) on BFBS (via web & App in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum).  On Sky Channel 0211. Alternatively - listen again on-line, www.forces.net/sitrep or download the Sitrep Podcast.

This week on Sitrep with Kate Gerbeau and Christopher Lee: Defence Minister Tobias Ellwood explains why Brexit defence planning is the number one priority at the Ministry of Defence. Professor Paul Rogers explains the INF treaty and why President Trump is warning the US may pull out. The new Commander of British Forces in the Falklands, Brigadier Nick Sawyer, gives his first interview and tells Gini Carlin about his plans to improve training there. RAF Marham is now running on Biofuel - so how does that work? And new details about work carried out by the Pentagon's top secret UFO research programme with former MOD UFO man Nick Pope.

What’s behind last weekend’s car bomb in Londonderry?  We speak to Dr Marisa McGlinchey whose forthcoming book "Unfinished Business: The politics of Dissident Irish Republicanism" is out soon.   President Trump and North Korea are planning another summit  - but is North Korea still developing nuclear warheads?  Sitrep looks at the meeting from both the US and North Korean perspective with Robert E Kelly, Professor of Political Science at Pusan University in South Korea and Michael Stathis, Professor of Political Science and International Relations at the University of Southern Utah.   Michael Stathis also comments on the US shutdown and how it’s affecting defence and security.   And Glynn Prysor from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission talks to us about memorials and why they get vandalised.

17th January edition  What would a no-deal Brexit mean for defence?   Why France and Germany are strengthening their defence and foreign policies with a new Treaty.   The US Shutdown - how does it affect US Defence?    Plus what’s the Royal Navy up to in the South China Seas and what was the SAS man doing at a Nairobi Hotel?

It's out with the old and in with the new for the RAF.  The F-35s are deployment ready while the Tornadoes are being prepared to retire, Aviation Expert Paul Beaver explains the significance. We speak to Christina Lamb, the Sunday Times Chief Foreign Correspondent, who was recently in South Sudan, about how British soldiers intervened to stop the repeated rape of a group of women there. What will Turkey do if the US withdraws its forces from Syria? Paul Rogers, Professor of Peace studies at the University of Bradford, explains the impact on the region. And after Captain Louis Rudd’s successful solo Antarctic trek, Sitrep asks Colonel Neil Wilson, Commander of the Army’s Adventurous Training Group, why adventurous training is so important for the forces. We also have a tribute to Lord Ashdown. Did you enjoy the programme?  We’d love it if you left us a review!  Follow us on Twitter: @BFBSSitrep

Sitrep looks at the highs and lows of 2018   From the Novichok poisoning in Salisbury to President Trump’s historic talks with North Korea’s leader.   The RAF celebrated 100 years, the Royal Navy put its new Carrier to sea and we remembered the fallen of first World War in the centenary of the Armistice   Plus: will the Modernising Defence Programme deliver what it promises?   And what’s in store for 2019?  – How will Brexit change British and European Security?  And what other global threats might our Armed Forces face?   GUESTS General The Lord Dannatt, former CGS Professor Michael Clarke, defence analyst Dr Julian Lewis, Chair of the HoC Defence Select Committee Dr Karin von Hippel, Director General of RUSI Christopher Lee, BFBS' defence analyst     ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Check out our Facebook video on the Forces News facebook  (after 15.15 UKT)   PROGRAMME TX THURSDAYS at 4:30pm UK TIME on BFBS RADIO 2 and at 6:00pm UK TIME on BFBS & UK Bases   You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and at 1830 (UK time) on BFBS (via web & App in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum).  On Sky Channel 0211. Alternatively - listen again on-line, www.forces.net/sitrep or download the Sitrep Podcast.

In this week’s Sitrep with Kate Gerbeau and Christopher Lee…   In today’s programme Sitrep hears from the Defence Secretary, Gavin Williamson, and General Sir Nick Carter,  the Chief of the defence staff  who is rated by many as one of the best modernisers in the army   The carnage in Yemen - is there a chance to bring some hope to more than a hundred thousand people made homeless and starving as a result of this war?   Why the Afghan interpreters for the British Army fear that they or their families may be killed if the UK sends them back home   And has the navy scooped the PR opportunity of the year?  Find out, in today’s Sitrep

In this week’s Sitrep with Kate Gerbeau and Christopher Lee… Should we be banning one of China’s biggest telecoms firms from involvement in Britain’s next-generation mobile networks? The head of MI6 is asking that question, and many of Britain’s global security partners have already taken action – should the UK follow suit? As Russia threatens to escalate missile production – are we heading into a new Cold War era? Could climate change create a security crisis triggering a military response? Plus the ethic of autonomous weapons – as the Army tests a potential killer robot. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Check out our Facebook video on the Forces News facebook  (after 15.15 UKT) PROGRAMME TX THURSDAYS at 4:30pm UK TIME on BFBS RADIO 2 and at 6:30pm UK TIME on BFBS & UK Bases You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and at 1830 (UK time) on BFBS (via web & App in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum).  On Sky Channel 0211. Alternatively - listen again on-line, www.forces.net/sitrep or download the Sitrep Podcast.

In this week’s episode with Kate Gerbeau and Christopher Lee…. Has the Matthew Hedges’ case made for tricky relations between Britain and the UAE?    Is it time to ditch the Russian-American missile treaties and start again? It’s Thanksgiving in America but is it a bad time to say thank you? And the Armed Forces Covenant - what has it done for you?   ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Check out our Facebook video on the Forces News facebook Thursdays (15.15 GMT)   PROGRAMME TX THURSDAYS at 4:30pm UK TIME on BFBS RADIO 2 and at 6:30pm UK TIME on BFBS & UK Bases   You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and at 1830 (UK time) on BFBS (via web & App in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum).  On Sky Channel 0211. Alternatively - listen again on-line, www.forces.net/sitrep or download the Sitrep Podcast.

In today’s Sitrep with Kate Gerbeau and Christopher Lee….. Brexit – what happens to the military?  Is the Defence Budget threatened and what about NATO? Does Britain still have influence in the Middle East and has the US lost its global military edge ? Plus - how does the MoD monitor big defence contracts? ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Check out our Facebook video on the Forces News facebook  (after 15.15 UKT) PROGRAMME TX THURSDAYS at 4:30pm UK TIME on BFBS RADIO 2 and at 6:30pm UK TIME on BFBS & UK Bases You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and at 1830 (UK time) on BFBS (via web & App in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum).  On Sky Channel 0211. Alternatively - listen again on-line, www.forces.net/sitrep or download the Sitrep Podcast.