BFBS Radio Sitrep

What was on the agenda at today’s NATO meeting? Sitrep gets reaction from the Defence Secretary, Michael Fallon.   Has China lost all influence on North Korea?   Find out what the Marines are up to in Norway…   And waiting for justice - how long will it be before war crimes in Syria are dealt with in court?   GUESTS: BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee. NATO Charlotte Banks interview with the Defence Secretary Michael Fallon.   MARINES - ARCTIC TRAINING Rebecca Ricks reporting on Exercise Clockwork in Northern Norway,   NORTH KOREA - NEIL DALL Emil Dall, Research Fellow in the Proliferation and Nuclear Policy Programme at the Royal United Services Institute.   WAR CRIMES Professor David Crane was the Chief Prosecutor of the Special Court for Sierra Leone, where he indicted the Liberian President Charles Taylor.     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 & DAB in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum) Sky Channel 0211 Alternatively listen again on the website, or download the Sitrep Podcast.

In this week’s Sitrep, we ask why Donald Trump hasn’t got round to calling the Chinese President yet, and what that might say for US-China relations.   Plus we look at the President’s promise to boost defence spending.   We hear from a former head of the Army, ahead of the publication of a report into the investigation into abuse allegations in Iraq.   And after a minister warned more British troops could be sent to Afghanistan, we hear from a former captain who served three tours there.   GUESTS: General Sir Mike Jackson, former Chief of the General Staff; Admiral Sir Jonathon Band, former First Sea Lord, Scott Lucas, professor of American Studies at Birmingham University; Doug Beattie, former Army Captain   Thursday 1630 on BFBS Radio 2, 1830 on BFBS & UK bases, plus anytime afterwards online, or via the podcast.

Presented by Kate Gerbeau In today’ Sitrep there’s reaction and analysis as human rights lawyer, Phil Shiner, is struck off. In Afghanistan, the Taliban is in disarray – so is this a good time for peace? The Royal Navy leads the combined Naval Task Force in the Gulf for the first time. Trump's defence secretary, 'Mad Dog' Mattis, starts work in the far east. And Very Lynne’s new album to celebrate her 100th Birthday. PHIL SHINER Interview with MP and former British Army Officer Johnny Mercer TALIBAN   Professor Theo Farrell & BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee HMS OCEAN BFBS reporter Simon Newton US RELATIONS ABROAD Professor of Political Science at the University of Southern Utah, Michael Stathis... VERA LYNNE BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee 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 & DAB in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum) Sky Channel 0211 Alternatively listen again on the website, or download the Sitrep Podcast.

Teresa May's will be the first foreign leader to meet Donald Trump, but who's going to get the most out of it?   And do the comparisons with Mrs Thatcher and President Reagan mean anything or is this going to be a very different relationship   NATO forges friendships in the Middle East with a new HQ in Kuwait.   Meet the women of the US Marine Corps and hear all about the Norwegian Military Experiment - how one unit tried a 50/50 gender split with surprising results.   GUESTS:   DONALD TRUMP & TERESA MAY VISIT Professor Michael Clarke formerly the Director General of the Royal United Services & BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee.   BFBS reporter Tim Cooper interview with General David Perkins, commander of US Army training and Doctrine – discussing Brexit and US politics.   NATO Professor Michael Clarke formerly the Director General of the Royal United Services & BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee.   US MARINES As the UK prepares to accept the first females into its own infantry, Hannah King has been taking a look at how the US Marines incorporate females.   NORWEGIAN ARMY Elisabeth Braw, senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council   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 & DAB in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum) Sky Channel 0211 Alternatively listen again on the website, or download the Sitrep Podcast.

Tomorrow Donald Trump will become the 45th President of the United States of America.  In a special edition of Sitrep, Kate Gerbeau will ask “Should we be frightened?” A panel of experts are going to look at what Trump’s time as President & Commander in Chief of the American Armed Forces could mean for the rest of the world.  Will he forge closer ties with Russia? What will he do about NATO? What about Syria? And why is he so against China?  Find out the answers to those questions and many more in today’s Sitrep…………………………. GUESTS: BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee. Former BBC Diplomatic Correspondent Bridget Kendall.  Bridget has spent a lot of time in Washington and Moscow and is an expert on Russian politics.  Professor of International Politics at the University of Birmingham Scott Lucas who can talk extensively about US foreign policy and the Middle East.  Dr Karin von Hippel, Director General of the Royal United Services Institute.  Karin was formally Chief of Staff to the US General John Allen when he was special presidential envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter Isil.  Simon Marks from Feature Story – our man in Washington who can tell us all about what we can expect at tomorrow’s inauguration ceremony. 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 & DAB in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum) Sky Channel 0211 Alternatively listen again on the website, or download the Sitrep Podcast.

Russian aggression has triggered the deployment of American forces to Poland but is it necessary? President-elect Trump -  what’s really going on and who’s side is he on? Could we see more German boots on the ground in Europe? What part does Britain play in the Talks to re-unify Cyprus? And War through the eyes of the correspondent.  The Times man in the blue body-armour tells all…… Other interviews POLAND AND TRUMP Former Defence and Pentagon Correspondent for The Times Michael Evans GERMAN BOOTS ON GROUND Elisabeth Braw, senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council. ATTORNEY GENERAL Dr Aurel Sari – A lecturer in the law of armed conflict at Exeter University. CYPRUS TALKS BFBS reporter in Cyprus, Simon Newton WAR REPORTING Former Defence and Pentagon Correspondent for The Times Michael Evans 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 & DAB in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum) Sky Channel 0211 Alternatively listen again on the website, or download the Sitrep Podcast.

In today’s Sitrep what’s in store for the year ahead?  For starters, there’s IS, Trump and Brexit. Plus....Why Russia's got the hots for the arctic, why more Irish nationals are joining the British Army….and, why Hitler's back in the bestseller list. PRESENTER THIS WEEK: Kate Gerbeau Studio guests: BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee Other interviews NEW YEAR THREAT BFBS Reporter James Hirst, Professor of Peace Studies at the University of Bradford Paul Rogers and BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee.< ARCTIC Professor of Peace Studies at the University of Bradford, Paul Rogers IRISH RECRUITMENT TO BRITISH ARMY Belfast journalist and author David McKittrick NORTH KOREA Professor of Peace Studies at the University of Bradford Paul Rogers and BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee. MEIN KAMPF  Professor Dr. Magnus Brechtken, from the Institute for Contemporary History in Munich website

The Head of MI6 ‘C’ speaks publicly for the first time – and warns that Russia's actions in Syria will have tragic consequences... Find out what the PM, Teresa May got up to in Bahrain and what the Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson, said about Saudi Arabia Plus - how NATO and the EU have overcome years of rivalry to work more closely together PRESENTER THIS WEEK: Kate Gerbeau Studio guest: BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee Other interviews HEAD OF MI6 BFBS Reporter James Hirst and Sir David Omand, a former Director of GCHQ BAHRAIN/SAUDI ARABIA BFBS Reporter James Hirst interview with Teresa May and analysis by Professor Michael Clarke former Director General of the Royal United Services Institute and BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee IRAQ/SYRIA Professor Michael Clarke former Director General of the Royal United Services Institute and BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee EU & NATO Professor Michael Clarke former Director General of the Royal United Services Institute and BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee 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 & DAB in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum) Sky Channel 0211 Alternatively listen again on the website, or download the Sitrep Podcast.

The MOD is proposing a major change to the way service personnel and their families are housed.  This week Sitrep look at the pros and cons and speaks exclusively to the head of the army, General Sir Nick Carter about housing and the current state of the Army. Also this week, shipbuilding  - why has the government been told to get a grip?  Sitrep also hears from the First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Philip Jones, PRESENTER THIS WEEK: Kate Gerbeau Studio guests: BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee Other interviews SERVICES’ HOUSING BFBS Reporter Charlotte Banks Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Nick Carter SHIPBUILDING First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Philip Jones Naval Historian and security analyst Professor Eric Grove. 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 & DAB in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum) Sky Channel 0211 Alternatively listen again on the website, or download the Sitrep Podcast