BFBS Sitrep

Jonathan Eyal, International Director at the Royal United Services Institute, explains why a report into Russian interference with British politics hasn’t been published.   Sitrep talks to the former Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon as he steps down from political life.   It’s 30 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall, Sitrep hears from former British Army spy Dave Butler who worked on the BRIXMIS mission which spied on Soviet military activities in East Germany.   Plus – BFBS presenter Jamie Gordon gives his account of broadcasting from Berlin during one of the most iconic moments of the 20th Century Twitter @bfbssitrep

For years he’s been the world’s most wanted terrorist. Now Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is dead. In this week’s Sitrep, we examine the implications of the death of the IS leader, and what’s likely to happen next with Fawaz Gerges, professor of international relations at the London School of Economics and Professor Michael Clarke, former director-general of the Royal United Services Institute. After months of political deadlock, Britain is set for a pre-Christmas election. The Times' political Correspondent, Lucy Fisher, looks at whether defence issues will get a mention in a campaign likely to be dominated by Brexit. Professor Michael Clarke has written a new book how Brexit is creating a new world of security challenges And a former Army officer explains how he helped track down one of the suspects in the Sergei Skripal poisoning, and explains how much vital intelligence is just out there, waiting to be discovered.   Find us @bfbssitrep

People all over the world are taking to the streets in protest against their governments for different reasons.  Professor Paul Rogers from the University of Bradford explains why this is happening now and what it could mean for the future. President Trump is pulling America out of the Paris climate change agreement. Paul Osbourne explains what the Australian newspaper black-out has to do with defence. Why the Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has concerns about the Royal Navy fleet. And military thinking outside the box with The Wavell Room. Join the debate on Twitter @bfbssitrep

President Donald Trump says the crisis which has followed the withdrawal of US troops from Syria is not America's fight.  As Russian forces appear to fill the void left we talk to Mary Dejevsky about why this is a good and bad situation for President Putin.  Simon Marks gives us the low down on the Republican vote, supported by some Democrats, condemning Trump's decision on Syria and the increasingly incendiary rhetoric. We talk to Pakistan's High Commissioner in London about the Royal visit to his country. As David Richmond is announced as head of the newly created Office for Veterans' Affairs, Johnny Mercer explains its remit, funding and long term ambitions. Follow us @bfbssitrep  

Turkish forces are stepping up air strikes and a ground offensive, as their incursion in Kurdish-held areas of northern Syria continues. It follows the withdrawal of US troops, who fought alongside Kurdish forces in north-east Syria against so-called Islamic State.  Former soldier and Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely joins us along with former US intelligence officer Michael Pregent. The American press are suggesting President Trump is about to bin yet another east west treaty. It's called the Open Skies treaty and it says Russians and Americans should be able to fly over and look over each other's territory and so lesson the chances of building undeclared weapons. Jonathan Eyal joins us. Pressure mounts on the Prime Minister to announce a Bill protecting veterans of Northern Ireland in the Queen’s Speech. Lord Dannatt, ex Army chief, and Michael Fallon, former defence sec, are among those who have written to The Times.  We speak to the paper's defence correspondent Lucy Fisher. Join the conversation on Twitter @bfbssitrep

An RAF pilot has been selected to join Virgin Orbit's small satellite launch programme on secondment Brexit is four weeks away, so what preparations are being made for any potential civil disobedience and will the military be involved?  Hiding in plain sight Exercise Iron Viper challenges the art of camouflage in an urban environment. As the violence in Hong Kong gets worse we speak to Professor Steve Tsang from SOAS at the University of London on what happens next.  The US has a new top military officer, General Mark Milley takes over as the Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.  And why is Sweden’s Navy HQ returning to a vast underground fortress designed to withstand a nuclear attack   Follow us on Twitter @bfbssitrep

We are joined by Professors Paul Rogers and Michael Clarke to talk the constitution, law and the military after this week's Supreme Court decision.   Can climate change send us to war? Forces News has been given exclusive access to a sniper course and Amy Wiltshire has been speaking to one of the them about their job. And soldiers jumping ship to join the Royal Navy. Follow us on twitter @bfbssitrep

Prime Minister, Boris Johnson has praised the military at a Downing Street reception for the Armed Forces. The Iran/Saudi stand off continues but what does this mean for the US we hear from experts Dan Plesch and Mike Evans.  Two former paratroopers who took the Ministry of Defence to a tribunal were subject to "highly offensive" racial harassment, an employment judge has ruled.  Why is this still happening in the Army? And Britain's second aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales begins sea trials. Follow us on Twitter @bfbssitrep  

This week the First Sea Lord is at DSEI as the MOD announce Babcock will build the new Type 31 frigates. Police chiefs in Northern Ireland say a bomb in Londonderry was built with the aim of killing police officers.  We talk to the Chair of the Police Federation of Northern Ireland Mark Lindsay. We are joined by Dr Karin Von Hippel, the Director General of RUSI to talk about the sacking of the US National Security Advisor John Bolton and Fawaz Gerges explains what it means for American foreign policy. Chris Ryan, the former SAS soldier turned author has a new book out called Black Ops.  It's firmly based on his knowledge of how the regiment operates, so what's life like as member of the elite unit in today's trouble times?  Follow us on Twitter @bfbssitrep

This week we are joined by Dr Julian Lewis, Chair of the Commons Defence Committee to discuss defence spending and why the UK needs a full time National Security Adviser. Christina Lamb, chief foreign correspondent for the Sunday Times talks about the Taliban peace talks and whether they will bring long term peace to Afghanistan. We're tracking the Adrian Darya 1.  The oil tanker that was seized by Royal Marines off Gibraltar back in July has been hanging around in the Eastern Mediterranean  - what is it waiting for? Paul Beaver is an aviation expert and we talk to him about the National Audit Office report suggesting military aircrew training is coming up short. And we remember the start of the Second World War, 80 years ago this week. Follow us on twitter: @bfbssitrep