BFBS Sitrep

Could Turkey could play a key role in the Syrian crisis?   Two new reports criticize the cuts made by the SDSR – so is the MoD up to the job?    How will the United Nations react to Argentina’s accusation that the UK is militarizing the Falklands Islands   And find out how Afghan women are playing a leading role in their country’s transition     PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbau   STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee    Interviews with:   Sir Andrew Green, Britain's former ambassador to Syria   British Forces News’ reporter  Geoff Meade on the SDSR   Sukey Cameron, of the Falkland Islands Government   British Forces News’ reporter  from Camp Bastion on women in the Afghanistan National Army ................................................................................................................................................ You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and on BFBS Radio 1 at 1830 (UK time). Alternatively listen again on the website.

The Americans are bringing forward the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan – but is it more to do with President Obama’s election strategy than a secure Afghanistan?    And what does it mean for British Forces in the region   As Prince William prepares for his time in the South Atlantic,  tensions remain strained between the British and Argentine governments, but what do the Falkland Islanders themselves make of it all?    And we talk to Peter Carroll, the man behind the Ghurkha’s ‘Campaign     PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbau   STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee    Interviews with:   The Director of the Royal United Services Institute, Michael Clarke British Forces News’ reporter Geoff Meade form the Nato Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Brussels Tim Cooper, our reporter  in the Falklands Peter Carroll of the Ghurkha’s Campaign for Justice.     ................................................................................................................................................ You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and on BFBS Radio 1 at 1830 (UK time). Alternatively listen again on the website.

The MoD comes under more criticism for its handling of redundancies   Egyptians mark a year since their revolution - but are they getting the type of leadership they fought for?   HMS Argyll is sent to the Middle East in a show of strength from the EU against Iran’s nuclear ambitions   And we find out the complex coordination involved in the security of London for the 2012 Olympics   PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbau   STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee  Interviews with: James Arbuthnot, Chair of the Commons Defence Select Committee   BFBS Reporter James Hirst on Olympic Security   Richard Ottoway, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee on Syria and Iran   Jon Leyne, BBC Reporter, the anniversary  of the uprising in Egypt

The Shadow Defence Secretary Jim Murphy talks to Sitrep about the latest round of Armed Forces’ redundancies   What’s does the future hold for Nato?   Prime Minister David Cameron has promised the Falklands Islanders' his full support  - but is the Royal Navy capable of giving it?   And  - Is it ever morally right for a Captain to abandon a sinking ship?       PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbau   GUESTS:   British Forces News defence analyst Christopher Lee   Shadow Defence Secretary Jim Murphy on the latest round of Forces’ redundancies   BFN’s Tim Cooper from the Nato meeting in Brussels   Admiral Lord West on the Falklands ................................................................................................................................................................. You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and on BFBS Radio 1 at 1830 (UK time).   Alternatively listen again on the website.

  SITREP TRAIL 12th January   Why Scottish  independence would have huge implications for defence. What could be behind the assassination of another one of Iran’s nuclear scientists? There are more diplomatic tensions in South America as the Argentines are accused of starting a squid war against the Falklands Plus, how military academies could help to prevent future riots.     PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbau ................................................................................................................................................................. You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and on BFBS Radio 1 at 1830 (UK time).   Alternatively listen again on the website.

The Strategic Defence Review recommends that the future British Army will be supplemented by the TA but is it too much to ask of the reserve forces?   The US Forces brace themselves for their Defence Review but what will it mean for relations with Europe, and the UK’s 'special' relationship?   Why the Taliban are planning to open an office in Quatar.   Is Iran upping the ante with its warning to America not to send its carriers back to the Persian gulf   And we hear how the huge advances in medical science on the front-line are saving more lives than ever before   PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbau   STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee    Interviews with:   Col Richard Williams former commanding officer of 22 SAS, and contributor to the Future Reserves 2020 report, the review of the Reserve Forces.   Capt Doug Beattie, former soldier now in the Territorial Army   BFN's James Hirst on the US Defence Review   Professor Porter on advances in trauma care

This week it’s a Sitrep special looking back at the year of defence & current affairs in 2011.   How much progress been made in Afghanistan?   The extraordinary story of the Arab Spring…..will history judge it a success or failure?   What impact has the SDSR had now its findings are being implemented?   And we look at the challenges that lie ahead for 2012    PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbau   STUDIO GUESTS:    BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee    Michael Codner, director of military sciences at the Royal United Services Institute   BFBS's reporter Geoff Meade ................................................................................................................................................................. You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and on BFBS Radio 1 at 1830 (UK time).   Alternatively listen again on the website.

  The US and NATO ends their mission in Iraq – but have they achieved what they set out to do?   The Defence Committee raise concern about the long-term care of injured service personnel   What are the implications for European defence initiatives given the current financial climate?   And….. find out why the Jolly Roger is flying high at Portsmouth   PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbau   STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee    Interviews with:   Sir Jeremy Greenstock:  former representative to Iraq   James Arbuthnot, Chair of the House of Commons Defence Select Committee on treatment of injured Service personnel.   Tomas Valasek from the Centre for European reform on the Eurozone crisis   Victoria Ingles from the Royal Naval museum at Portsmouth on the Jolly Roger.

There’s criticism of our policy in Afghanistan but is it really all tactics without strategy?   And who and what are behind the latest attacks this week?   Find out why they’re demonstrating in Moscow   Why mass immigration is a danger to us all   Plus, what’s the attraction of describing war?  We find out from one RAF Sgt.   PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbau   STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee    Interviews with:   Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles:  former ambassador of the UK to Afghanistan and Pakistan.   Alexander Nekrassov, former advisor to the Kremlin   Sgt Alex Ford AKA, RAF Airman who’s blog and tweets have attracted a huge follow     You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and on BFBS Radio 1 at 1830 (UK time).   Alternatively listen again on the website.

  What can be done to heal diplomatic relations between the UK and Iran?   How can Nato salvage its relationship with Pakistan?   Why there’s continued unrest over borders in the Balkans    And, find out about a new invention to remove barnacles from the bottom of ships     PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbau   STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee    Interviews with:   Middle East Analyst Hazhir Teimourian on Iran   Lord Ashdown on , Nato, Pakistan and US relations; the Balkans and European security   BFBS News' reporter Tim Cooper on removing barnacles.   ................................................................................................................................................................. You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and on BFBS Radio 1 at 1830 (UK time).   Alternatively listen again on the website.