BFBS Radio Sitrep

SITREP TRAIL THURS, 9th August 2018 *James Hirst presents today*   This week's Sitrep looks at how Britain's military could play a big role in the country's post-Brexit future. The Defence Secretary's been talking up Britain's position as a global player in a speech in Washington DC -- but is he making promises the military can afford to keep?   As the US imposes sanctions on Russia over the Salisbury poisoning, relations between Nato and Moscow are under strain over Georgia. Ten years after the brief war between Georgian and Russian forces, thousands of NATO troops are in Georgia for exercises, as the Russians warn of a "terrible conflict" if Georgia ever joins the alliance. Is that ever likely to happen?   Also this week, Sitrep hears from one of the leading figures in the campaign to end investigations into shootings by Army veterans in Northern Ireland, and the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Amiens – find out why it was such an important moment in World War 1.

In this episode presented by Tim Cooper… The Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson started the week in Kenya where agreements are being drawn up for Army training to continue there.  As well as meeting troops and their families at BATUK Headquarters in Kenya, he met the men and women running UK funded courses to prevent sexual violence in war. We have a report from Laura Makin-Isherwood. Also… The Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson says he has the best job in Whitehall – is he right? As MPs pack their cases for their summer holidays, we look at the outstanding defence issues they’ve put on hold with Editor of Defense Analysis Francis Tusa. The war of words between Trump and Iran’s President Rouhani – we’re joined by Professor Wyn Bowen who is Head of the School of Security Studies at King's College London. And we talk about the remains of US soldiers brought back to the United States 70 years after the war in Korea.

On this week's Sitrep, there’s reaction to the decision to close RAF Scampton, the Red Arrows' home in Lincolnshire.   It was announced on the same day as a pay rise for the armed forces -- but it's still not clear how that's going to be paid for.   Does it mean more cuts are on the way?   Plus, how worried should we be about Donald Trump's latest tweetstorm, aimed at Iran?   There’s worrying figures about suicide rates among military veterans ….   And we speak to the woman behind a new exhibition looking at how Britain commemorates its war dead     ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Check out our Facebook video on the Forces News facebook www.forces.net/sitrep   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, or download the Sitrep Podcast.

In this episode of Sitrep with Kate Gerbeau and Christopher Lee we hear from Dr Karin Von Hippel the Director General of RUSI about President’s Trump’s recent visit to Europe.  Did he achieve anything other than international confusion?     Also a statement from the government on the Modernising Defence Programme.  James Hirst explains why it doesn’t say anything we don’t already know.   Why has there been a rise in violence in Northern Ireland?   Ali Gibson takes a look into the future of the RAF at the Farnborough Air Show with a report on future updates to the Eurofighter Typhoon and the virtual reality of The Tempest.   And the Commander of British Forces Germany tells Chris Pearson about British Army infrastructure in Germany after drawdown.   Follow us @bfbsSitrep on Twitter.

In this episode Kate Gerbeau and Christopher Lee are joined by Dr Mark Galeotti, senior fellow at the Institute of International Relations in Prague to talk about the latest Novichok incident in Wiltshire.  Will this re-open recent wounds with the Russians?  And also how has the World Cup changed people’s perceptions of Russia.  A PR win for Putin?   Also MP Johnny Mercer is calling for a calmer debate when it comes to defence spending.   The UK’s Defence Budget is under scrutiny by the US ahead of next week’s NATO Summit and we look ahead to President Trump’s visit to the UK with Professor Michael Stathis from the University of Southern Utah.   And finally reporter Ali Gibson explores why members of the Armed Forces Community are more likely to feel socially isolated than the rest of the population.

In this episode with Kate Gerbeau and Christopher Lee it’s all about the money……as Whitehall fights for more funds for defence.  We hear from the new Chief of Defence Staff General Sir Nick Carter.   Do service people get MOD backing when the going gets tough?  We hear from Major Robert Campbell, a retired Royal Engineer is facing an eighth investigation into alleged war crimes in Iraq for which he has previously been cleared. Also, Kate speaks to Dr Helen Durham who is Director of International Law and Policy at the International Committee of the Red Cross about how the organisation is trying to stop atrocities in war before they happen.   Kate and Christopher are joined by Professor Paul Rogers from the University of Bradford.

In Sitrep – it’s a big week for defence stories and in today’s Sitrep Kate Gerbeau and Christopher Lee look at threats to the defence budget. Find out why Number 10’s  in a Grump with Trump over Putin. NATO’s boss praises the UK but does anyone care? Will Brexit black-out Britain's Euro Security pact? And The RAF police the skies over Romania……

In this episode Kate Gerbeau talks to Matthew Morris who is the UK spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross about the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Yemen.  BFBS defence Analyst Christopher Lee and Professor Michael Clarke formerly of RUSI join the conversation too to discuss the fact that the UK is a major supplier of weapons to Saudi Arabia.   Kate, Christopher and Professor Clarke also discuss the meeting between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and what might happen next.  They also talk about Trump and the G7.   You’ll also hear from reporter Ali Gibson who has been to see the huge NATO training exercise Saber Strike.   Also what happened to the missing Royal Marine Allan Addis who disappeared in the Falkland Islands nearly 38 years ago?  The Forces TV team have been investigating the case for a new documentary.   Follow us on Twitter @BFBSSitrep

In this episode with Kate Gerbeau and Christopher Lee:   NATO - the countdown’s on for the July summit meeting. This week defence ministers meet to plan how to strengthen the alliance’s military forces.  We talk to RUSI’s International Director Jonathan Eyal about this as well as President’s Putin’s plans to entertain Kim Jong Un in Moscow.   The first operational American built F35's for the RAF have arrived in the UK – but can the UK afford all 138?  Aviation Analyst Paul Beaver has a view.   Amnesty International has asked Britain to “come clean” about its role in the deaths of hundreds of civilians during last year’s campaign to liberate the Syrian City of Raqqa. We hear from Chris Woods from Airwars about who’s keeping count.   And finally the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff says fitness and medicals shouldn’t matter when recruiting the military’s new cyber warriors.   Follow us on Twitter @BFBSSitrep