BFBS Sitrep

  Why military top brass say it's too early to judge whether the war in Afghanistan has been successful   The Government will appoint a chief coroner but what will it mean in practical terms to Service families?   Why Turkey is forging closer military ties with the UK    And there's growing unrest in Egypt  - so what happened to the Arab Spring?       PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbau   STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee    Interviews with:   British Forces News reporter Geoff Meade in Camp Bastion, Afghanistan.   BBC Correspondent Hugh Sykes, in Cairo, Egypt   Middle East analyst Jon Marks on the Arab Spring.   Kevin Shinkwin from the Royal British Legion on the role of the Chief Coroner ................................................................................................................................................................. 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.

Why Britain's top general in Afghanistan is happy with the progress so far. The best way for politicians and the top brass to work out military strategy. Why Cap Badges are an integral and honourable part of the British Army. And what battles would make the Top 20 of Britain’s worst military disasters?  PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbau STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee  Interviews with: British Forces News reporter Geoff Meade talking to Lft Genearl James Bucknall on his time in Afghanistan. Major General Mungo Melvin, talking about military strategy.  Julian Farrance from the Army Museum, discussing Cap Badges. uthor John Withington talking about his new book 'Britain's 20 Worst Military Disaster

SITREP TRAIL 10th November It’s the end of an era as British troops in Germany prepare for a long march-out. How worried should we be about Iran’s nuclear weapons programme? After another fatal accident, just how essential are the Red Arrows? And we hear how the soldiers in Afghanistan will be remembering their comrades both past and present this coming weekend . PRESENTER : Kate Gerbau STUDIO GUESTS: BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee Interviews with: British Forces News reporter James Hirst on the drawdown of British troops in Germany. Hazhir Teimourian, Middle Eastanalyst on Iran's nuclear weapon building programme. Air Chief Marshall Sir Michael Graydon discussing the role of the Red Arrows. British Forces News reporter Geoff Meade in Afghanistan on remembrance.

Why the West feels so threatened by Iran…   Is the Government doing enough to counter the cyber security threat?  And find out how we can all help to police Cyber-Space.   How British Forces in Afghanistan have changed the mind set of one former Taliban commander to denounce violence   Plus, a very special celebration for the Royal British Legion   PRESENTER:  James Hirst   STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee    Interviews with:   Professor Michael Clarke, director of the Royal United Services Institute talking about the threat Iran poses and the findings of the RUSI survey on defence matters.   General Sir Graeme Lamb, former commander of Special Forces, on cyber security   British Forces News reporter Geoff Meade in Afghanistan.    Lt General Sir John Kiszely, head of the Royal British Legion   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.

  Now that Sirte has fallen, has NATO fulfilled its role in Libya?   How tough is the job of Defence Secretary   What can be done to ease the tensions between Kosovo and Serbia?   The importance of the Haqqani network in the quest for peace in Afghanistan   And why the British Army is breaking the rules using underage soldiers in theatre      PRESENTER:  Kate GerbauSTUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee.        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 13th October The revolutionary forces in Libya are close to securing Sirte - but where is Gaddafi? How a message in a bottle helped the Royal Navy save a ship from piracy Why the prisoner exchange between Hamas and the Israelis is vital for the future of the Middle East And …. why Cyprus continues to be strategically important PRESENTER : Matt Teale STUDIO GUESTS : BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee. INTERVIEWS WITH: Dr Rosemary Hollis, Professor of Middle East Policy Studies at City University at City University British Forces News & Sitrep presenter, Kate Gerbau in Cyprus Karen Jacques from Dryad Maritime Intelligence Services - who monitor the threat of piracy.

It’s been 10 years since British forces were sent to Afghanistan, but are they any closer to securing a successful outcome?  How has the military strategy changed in that time ?    Why  Nato says there must be more commitment from its allies How European security could be threatened by the Eurozone crisis And , the dogs of war, why our canine friends are so much more than a man’s best friend....     PRESENTER:     Kate Gerbau   STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee.    INTERVIEWS WITH:   BBC 's Paul Wood in Afghanistan   James Blitz, the Financial Times Defence & Security Editor, on the Eurozone crisis.   British Forces News’ reporter Will Inglis on how the forces' equipment has improved in the past 10 years   British Forces News’ reporter James Hirst on the Tory Party conference.   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 Royal Navy is set to announce details of redundancies tomorrow...former First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Jonathon Band tells Sitrep how he thinks this will affect the Senior Service What impact will redundancies have on morale?  The Navy Families Federation tell us what support systems are in place to help those affected There’s been  job losses at BAe – but are we losing too much expertise from the defence industry/ Why the Labour Party claim they are the party for the military And,  today would have been Admiral Nelson’s birthday –what would he make  of  today’s modern Forces?     PRESENTER:     Kate Gerbau   STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee.    INTERVIEWS WITH:   Former First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Jonathon Band, on redundancies in the Royal Navy   Kim Richardson, Chair of the Navy Families Association   British Forces News’ reporter James Hirst from the Labour Party conference

 The latest from Libya as anti-Gaddafi forces battle their way to Sirte Two years ago former Ghurkhas won the right to stay in the UK, but is the infrastructure there to support them? What the Libl Dem’s think about defence issues. And why World War One still fascinates us after all these years  PRESENTER:     Matt Teale STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee.   INTERVIEWS WITH:Alastair Leithead, BBC Correspondent en route to Sirte, Libya with the NTC troops.  The BBC’s correspondent in Kabul,, Bilal SarwaryGerald Howarth, Conservative MP for Aldershot, one area where former Gurkhas have settled.Peter Carroll, of the Justice For  Gurkhas CampaignBritish Forces News’ reporter James Hirst from the Lib Dem Party conference.British Forces News’ reporter Tim Cooper visits the  replica WW1 trenches used by the popular TV series, Downton Abbey

How the UK is planning to help Libya get back on its feet  After the siege in Kabul – how prepared are Afghan forces to take control of their country’s security?  Why cyber security remains a global threat  And what makes a hero, is it outstanding bravery or just a question of luck?  PRESENTER:     Matt Teale  STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee.   INTERVIEWS WITH:Oliver Miles the former ambassador to Libya The BBC’s correspondent in Kabul,, Bilal Sarwary Claire Yorke, co-author of the Chatham House report on Cyber security Matt Croucher GC, author of The Royal British Legion  book 90 YEARS OF HEROES (Published by Collins)