BFBS Sitrep

In this episode Kate Gerbeau and Christopher Lee are joined by Dr Mark Galeotti, senior fellow at the Institute of International Relations in Prague to talk about the latest Novichok incident in Wiltshire.  Will this re-open recent wounds with the Russians?  And also how has the World Cup changed people’s perceptions of Russia.  A PR win for Putin?   Also MP Johnny Mercer is calling for a calmer debate when it comes to defence spending.   The UK’s Defence Budget is under scrutiny by the US ahead of next week’s NATO Summit and we look ahead to President Trump’s visit to the UK with Professor Michael Stathis from the University of Southern Utah.   And finally reporter Ali Gibson explores why members of the Armed Forces Community are more likely to feel socially isolated than the rest of the population.

In this episode with Kate Gerbeau and Christopher Lee it’s all about the money……as Whitehall fights for more funds for defence.  We hear from the new Chief of Defence Staff General Sir Nick Carter.   Do service people get MOD backing when the going gets tough?  We hear from Major Robert Campbell, a retired Royal Engineer is facing an eighth investigation into alleged war crimes in Iraq for which he has previously been cleared. Also, Kate speaks to Dr Helen Durham who is Director of International Law and Policy at the International Committee of the Red Cross about how the organisation is trying to stop atrocities in war before they happen.   Kate and Christopher are joined by Professor Paul Rogers from the University of Bradford.

In Sitrep – it’s a big week for defence stories and in today’s Sitrep Kate Gerbeau and Christopher Lee look at threats to the defence budget. Find out why Number 10’s  in a Grump with Trump over Putin. NATO’s boss praises the UK but does anyone care? Will Brexit black-out Britain's Euro Security pact? And The RAF police the skies over Romania……

In this episode Kate Gerbeau talks to Matthew Morris who is the UK spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross about the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Yemen.  BFBS defence Analyst Christopher Lee and Professor Michael Clarke formerly of RUSI join the conversation too to discuss the fact that the UK is a major supplier of weapons to Saudi Arabia.   Kate, Christopher and Professor Clarke also discuss the meeting between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and what might happen next.  They also talk about Trump and the G7.   You’ll also hear from reporter Ali Gibson who has been to see the huge NATO training exercise Saber Strike.   Also what happened to the missing Royal Marine Allan Addis who disappeared in the Falkland Islands nearly 38 years ago?  The Forces TV team have been investigating the case for a new documentary.   Follow us on Twitter @BFBSSitrep

In this episode with Kate Gerbeau and Christopher Lee:   NATO - the countdown’s on for the July summit meeting. This week defence ministers meet to plan how to strengthen the alliance’s military forces.  We talk to RUSI’s International Director Jonathan Eyal about this as well as President’s Putin’s plans to entertain Kim Jong Un in Moscow.   The first operational American built F35's for the RAF have arrived in the UK – but can the UK afford all 138?  Aviation Analyst Paul Beaver has a view.   Amnesty International has asked Britain to “come clean” about its role in the deaths of hundreds of civilians during last year’s campaign to liberate the Syrian City of Raqqa. We hear from Chris Woods from Airwars about who’s keeping count.   And finally the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff says fitness and medicals shouldn’t matter when recruiting the military’s new cyber warriors.   Follow us on Twitter @BFBSSitrep

In this episode ….Why is morale so low in the Royal Marines? The MOD announces Sea Ceptor, the Navy’s new supersonic missile defence system has officially entered service. There’s a new way of recruiting for MI6….with TV ads. War is Fun – really?  Dr Mike Martin addresses the sometimes uncomfortable psychology of war. Elisabeth Braw non-resident senior fellow at The Atlantic Council explains why the Swedish government is telling the population to prepare for disaster, terrorism and even war.

The North Korean summit – has Trump underestimated the Koreans?  We hear from Professor Robert E Kelly from the Department of Political Science and Diplomacy at Pusan University in South Korea.   Are British pilots flying in a military muddle in the middle east?  We hear the realities of Operation Shader from Air Vice-Marshall Johnny Stringer as he briefs MPs   Back to Bosnia - why a former army officer turned GP, Dr Jonathan Leach has returned to Srebrenica.   Why the story of the Damnbusters Raid still has legendary status 75 years on - Steve Darlow, Ambassador for the RAF Benevolent Fund as well as a bomber command historian and author explains.   Why the military stands guard over the Royal wedding and which uniform will Prince Harry wear?

This week’s episode looks at the mounting tensions in the Middle East after President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear agreement.  Kate Gerbeau and Christopher Lee talk to Professor Rosemary Hollis from City University, London, Emeritis Professor Colin Schindler from SOAS, University of London and Professor Paul Rogers from the University of Bradford.   The Chief Executive of Save the Children, Kevin Watkins explains why the UK should become a global leader in protecting civilians in armed conflict.   HM Naval Base Clyde celebrates its 50th anniversary. We hear from the First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Philip Jones.   The military historian Antony Beevor talks about his latest book: Arnhem, The Battle of the Bridges 1944   And what’s the story behind the man who is the new Head of the Army? Lt General Mark Carleton Smith.

In this week’s episode:   Forces News Reporter Ali Gibson speaks to the Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson at the end of Exercise Joint Warrior.   Civilian casualties in Iraq and Syria – who keeps count?  Kate Gerbeau and Christopher Lee discuss with Hamit Dardagan who is co-founder of Iraq Body Count and the charity Every Casualty Worldwide.   NATO is neglecting its navies whilst Russia is rebuilding its Fleet according to Professor Peter Roberts from RUSI.   And, why is Trump so against the Iran nuclear agreement?  Professor Michael Stathis joins us from the University of Southern Utah.