BFBS Sitrep

The Chief of Defence Staff warns ministers not to expect too much from a cut-down military.    A Royal Navy Submariner admits attempting to pass secrets to the Russians. Professor Eric Grove explains the dark history of spying submariners.   Britain calls for restraint in Gaza - what could be the consequences of this latest outbreak of violence?   Geoff Meade reports from Exercise Albanian Lion.   And after the Petraeus scandal, we look at America's relationship with it's generals.   PRESENTER: Kate Gerbeau  STUDIO GUEST:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee and Professor Michael Clarke from his studio at the Royal United Services Institute.     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 Government's plans to attract more reservists to the Army What’s the global reaction to President Obama’s election victory? Find out which countries wish he hadn’t won and why Should we trade arms with the Middle East? And why the CIA are funding social media in Cuba PRESENTER:  PAUL OSBOURNESTUDIO GUEST:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee  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.

With one week to go until America elects its President who has the best foreign and defence policy And why the Middle East will be foremost in the next President’s mind Why getting inside a terrorists mind could help us counter the terrorism threat Find out about the campaign to protect the graves of Victoria Cross heroes And British Forces say goodbye to the last Military hospital in Cyprus   PRESENTER:  JAMES HIRST STUDIO GUEST:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee   Interviews:   Dr Michael Stathis  , from Southern Utah University on the US Elections. Roger Griffin on his new book ‘the British Forces News’ reporter Tim Cooper reporting on the closing of the last military hospital Ben Harris from the think-tank The Bow Group on protecting the graves of the Victoria Cross recipients.     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.

Why British troops could be involved in Mali, Africa (pro: Mar-lee)   Who’s leading the race to become America’s next President?   The logistics of withdrawal from Afghanistan, what  plans are being drawn up for the eventual exit?   Plus.... the forgotten voices of the Second World War who still have so much to say………   PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbeau STUDIO GUEST:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee   Stephen O’Brien, David Cameron’s special advisor on Mali. British Forces News’ reporter James Hirst reporting from the States on the forthcoming Presidential elections Major General Julian Thompson discussing logistics of withdrawing from Afghanistan & his new book, Forgotten Voices ‘Desert Victory’.    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.

SITREP Oct 18th    Gen Mike Jackson tell Sitrep what he thinks about the ‘generals for hire’ scandal   The Scottish National Party finally reveal their plans for an independent Scottish defence policy   Why the Fusiliers are marching to Parliament today   And should Commonwealth soldiers be given the right to stay in the UK when they leave the Services…….   PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbeau STUDIO GUEST:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee   Interviews: General Mike Jackson discussing the lobbying generals SNP defence spokesman Angus Robertson on Scottish defence plans The Chief Executive of Veterans Aid, Dr Hugh Millroy British Forces News reporter Charlotte Cross with the marching Fusiliers.     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.

What’s behind the collapse of the defence merger between BAE & EADS? Why the Foreign Secretary William Hague remains committed to the combat mission in Afghanistan And why a new report casts doubt over Afghanistan’s future post 2014 What the Tory Party have had to say about defence in this week’s Party Conference And the story of the former Para who nearly became a Taliban recruit.  PRESENTER:  Kate GerbeauSTUDIO GUEST:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee Interviews:James Blitz, Defence and Diplomatic Correspondent from the Financial TimesBritish Forces News reporter James Hirst speaking to William Hague, and reporting from the Conservative Party ConferencePaul Quinn Judge of the International Crisis Group on Afghanistan.Alexander Khan, author of ‘Orphan of Islam’.   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.

  As tensions rise between Syria & Turkey what are the implications of this latest development   Are NATO troops heading for an earlier than expected exit from Afghanistan?   Find out what Labour has on its agenda for defence   And ….the Navy’s aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth won’t be ready for at least 8 years, so why has it already got its own crew   PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbeau STUDIO GUEST:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee   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.  

SITREP September 27th   World leaders converge in New York for the UN General Assembly, but what's the true value of the United Nations?   Water cannons are fired during a three way wrangle over islands in the far East, but what does it say about China's military plans?   What do the Lib Democrats think about Defence?   And find out the significance of the parades  through the streets of Belfast this weekend.....   PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbeau STUDIO GUEST:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee and Dr Martin MacCauley the international affairs analyst  from University College London  Martin Macauley   INTERVIEWS:    Steve Britton BFBS’s man in Brunei on China   British Forces News’ reporter James Hirst on the Lib Dem conference   Northern Ireland  analyst Chris Ryder on the marches in Northern Ireland. ............................................................................................................ 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.

After a difficult week in Afghanistan  Sitrep looks at the main political and military challenges facing Nato.   Could an independent Scotland defend itself without help from the UK   Is Afghanistan set to become cricket’s next powerhouse?   And Paddy Ashdown on the Cockleshell heroes     PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbeau STUDIO GUEST:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee      INTERVIEWS:    Professor Paul Rogers, from the University of Bradford on Afghanistan.   Professor Malcolm Chalmers, Director of Research at the Royal United Services Institute discussing implications for Scottish independence.   Lord Ashdown talking about his new book “A Brilliant Operation”, about the Cockleshell heroes.   The BBC’s Cricket Correspondent, Jonathan Agnew in Sri Lanka, on Afghanistan’s cricket 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.

What the proposed merger between Bae & EAD means for British defence.   What's behind the assassination of the American ambassador to Libya?   Why Syria’s future depends on the action of a neighbouring NATO country.   And find out why the Iranians are accusing the West of stealing their rainclouds...   PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbeau STUDIO GUEST:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee    Middle East analyst Hazhir Teimourian   PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbeau STUDIO GUEST:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee       Interviews:  Defence Consultant Dr Alex Ashbourne-Warmsley Former ambassador to Syria, Oliver Miles Robert Tait, Iranian specialist.   ............................................................................................................ 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.