BFBS Sitrep

In Sitrep this week..........   Why there’s continued concern for Afghanistan’s future after ISAF forces leave   Find out who’s the power behind the throne of North Korea’s young leader   The military legacy of Baroness Thatcher & why the Lady loved Milk Tray…..   And it’s been 15 years since the Northern Ireland Good Friday Agreement, but how much of a difference has it made to lasting peace?     OTHER INTERVIEWS:     Professor Paul Rogers – from the Department of Peace Studies at Bradford University discussing Afghanistan and North Korea     Major General Julian Thompson, who commanded the Marines during the Falklands campaign, shares his memories of meeting Baroness Thatcher.   Northern Ireland analyst Chris Ryder, reflecting on the 15th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement

There’s warnings from UK and US commanders in Afghanistan ahead of the summer fighting season   And there’s concern in Pakistan as they head towards national elections   As America reacts to North Korea’s rhetoric just how seriously should we be taking the threat?   Plus:  the RAF celebrates 95 years – but what will the air force look like in the future?     PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbeau STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee     OTHER INTERVIEWS:     Forces News’ reporter James Hirst reporting from Camp Bastion   Jason Strother, a reporter based in Seoul, discussing the North Korean crisis   Air Marshall Sir John Walker –Chief of the Intelligence Staff from 1991 to 1994, discussing the Korean crisis and also talking about the RAF   Elizabeth Quintana – an expert in unmanned air vehicles and the use of space assets at the Royal United Services Institute, looking at the future of the RAF   

Why there’s going to be more cuts to the defence budget Who are the different rebel groups  in Syria and what do they want? Now the banks are open – what does the future hold for Cyprus, and could it happen here in the UK? And, It’s the end of an era for the military’s Search and Rescue.  PRESENTER:  Kate GerbeauSTUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee   OTHER INTERVIEWS:   Professor Rosemary Hollis, professor of Middle East policy studies at City University discussing Syria. Forces News’ reporter Tim Cooper reporting on the financial crisis in Cyprus. Forces News’ reporter Julie Knox on the Search & Rescue team You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and on BFBS Radio at 1830 (UK time)Alternatively listen again on the website

Ten years since the invasion of Iraq Sitrep reflects on the anniversary and speaks to former Prime Minister Tony Blair and Colonel Tim Collins, who led his men into Iraq. Plus, the man dubbed the ‘Vicar of Baghdad’ who initially supported the war explains why he’s now changed his mind The latest from Cyprus where the financial crisis continues And find out what the new Chief of the Defence Staff has in his in-tray  PRESENTER:  Kate GerbeauSTUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee   OTHER INTERVIEWS:   Colonel Tim Collins, who commanded the 1st Batallion, Royal Irish Regiment during the Iraq war in 2003 Canon of Baghdad Andrew White, dubbed the ‘Vicar of Baghdad’, he runs a Christian church in Baghdad. Former Prime Minister Tony Blair. Forces News’ reporter Carla Prater from Cyprus discussing the financial crisis and its affects on British Forces over there. You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and on BFBS Radio at 1830 (UK time)Alternatively listen again on the website

Two years on & the Syrian conflict is ongoing – is there anything the international community can do end hostilities?   Concerns what an Independent Scotland will mean for defence…   How serious are North Korea’s threats to use nuclear weapons   How advances in frontline trauma care benefit not only the armed forces but also the NHS   And, find out what the new Pope thinks about the Falklands Islands……..   PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbeau STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee     OTHER INTERVIEWS:    Sir Andrew Green, former ambassador to Syria Andrea Berger, an expert on nuclear issues at the Royal United ServicesInstitute, British Forces News reporter Fiona Weir reporting from the hospital at Camp Bastion. Surgeon Commodore Alasdair Walker, Medical Director at Joint Medical Command You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and on BFBS Radio at 1830 (UK time) Alternatively listen again on the website

This week…… How the Army’s move from Germany will impact on local services in the UK How Britain is helping the Syrian rebels Why the Falkland Islanders will show a united front this weekend And find out who’s in line to be the next Chief of the Defence Staff?     PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbeau STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee and Professor Michael Clarke from the Royal United Services Institute     OTHER INTERVIEWS:    British Forces News reporter Ali Gibson speaks to Maj Gen John Henderson about drawdown in Germany British Forces News reporter Rosie Laydon reporting from the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps HQ. British Forces News reporter Cath Brazier reports from the Falkland Islands on the forthcoming referendum.     You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and on BFBS Radio at 1830 (UK time) Alternatively listen again on the website  

Western leaders meet Syrian rebels in Rome - but will they give them what they want?   Can the MOD make 11 billion pounds worth of cuts over the next ten years?   Find out everything you need to know about America’s new Defence Secretary.   And after a long campaign the Arctic Convey veterans finally receive the recognition they’ve fought so long for.   PRESENTER:  James Hirst STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee   OTHER INTERVIEWS:    Professor Paul Rogers from the Department for Peace Studies at Bradford University on Syria and defence spending.   Professor Malcolm Chalmers from the Royal United Services Institute on defence cuts   British Forces News reporter Victoria Smith meets one of the Arctic Convoy veterans.   You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and on BFBS Radio at 1830 (UK time) Alternatively listen again on the website

The aid budget could be used for defence-related operations but what does that mean for British forces?   Was he PM’s visit to India a success?   The truth about war – are today’s reporters telling the full story?   Plus - cyber warfare, Chinese style   And find out why British soldiers are training in extreme conditions in the arctic   PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbeau STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee   OTHER INTERVIEWS:  British Forces News reporter Rob Olver at the Nato Defence Ministers’ meeting in Brussels.   The BBC’s Andrew North on the PM’s visit to India   Journalist and former Grenadier Guards Vaughan Smith on the media and the military.   British Forces News reporter Julie Knox on Exercise Arctic Norway   You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and on BFBS Radio at 1830 (UK time) Alternatively listen again on the website.

Heading for exit – but what will Afghanistan look like after 2014?   What  can the international community  do about North Korea's nuclear tests?   How Mali and Algeria can learn from the democratic progress made in Somalia   And the TA on TV - but will the recruitment drive work?   PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbeau STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee   OTHER INTERVIEWS:  Michael Evans, the Pentagon correspondent from The Times looking at withdrawing troops from Afghanistan   Andrea Berger from RUSI on North Korea and arms control   Author James Fergusson discussing Mali and Somalia   British Forces News reporter James Hirst discussing Argentina’s Foreign Minister’s visit.   British Forces News reporter Charlotte Cross on the TA     You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and on BFBS Radio at 1830 (UK time) Alternatively listen again on the website  .

  How long will French troops stay in Mali; and could Tunisia see more unrest?   What’s behind the MoD’s announcement on international soft defence?   Why the Argentine minister refused to meet the representatives from the Falklands Islands   And why the Forces Snow championships in Meribel are key to good morale     PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbeau STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee   OTHER INTERVIEWS:  Dr Berny Sebi from Birmingham University looking at the French military involvement in Mali.   Professor Michael Stathis from Southern Utah University discussing the use of drones.   British Forces News reporter Will Inglis speaking to Lt Gen Adrian Bradshaw, Commander Land Forces and Afghanistan’s chief of the General Staff, General Sher Mohammed  Karimi   British Forces News reporter James Hirst discussing Argentina’s Foreign Minister’s visit.   British Forces News reporter Jon Knighton from Mirabel.   You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and on BFBS Radio at 1830 (UK time) Alternatively listen again on the website.   You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and on BFBS Radio at 1830 (UK time) Alternatively listen again on the website.