BFBS Sitrep

What’s behind the kidnapping of Libya’s prime minister?   How the growing terror threat is challenging the UK’s intelligence services   President Karzai’s criticises NATO’s performance in Afghanistan and there’s a warning from The Taliban in Pakistan.   Who are the new faces in defence in the Government and opposition party?   And the campaign to keep British soldiers clean, fit and healthy.     PRESENTER: Kate Gerbeau STUDIO GUEST:  BFBS’s defence analyst Christopher Lee   OTHER INTERVIEWS:     Former Ambassador to Libya, Oliver Miles.   BFBS reporter Tim Cooper from Camp Bastion.   BFBS reporter James Hirst reporting on MI5’s Andrew Parker’s speech    The BBC’s Rob Watson looking at the new faces in Defence  BFBS reporter Will Inglis reporting from Germany on keeping soldiers fit.

How Britain’s footprint in Afghanistan is getting smaller.   Are reservists at greater risk of PTSD than regular troops?   How high on the agenda was defence at the Tory Party Conference/   And we hear from Jeremy Paxman about his new book “Great Britain’s Great War”     PRESENTER: Kate Gerbeau STUDIO GUEST:  BFBS’s defence analyst Christopher Lee   OTHER INTERVIEWS:     BFBS reporter Tim Cooper speaking to Lieutenant Colonel Jon Swift, CO first Battalion the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers in Afghanistan. The Defence Secretary Philip Hammond speaking to BFBS reporter James Hirst BFBS reporter Kaija Larke reporting on Combat Stress   BBC Newsnight's Jeremy Paxman discussing his new  book "Great Britain's Great War".

In Sitrep this week, terror in Nairobi.  Who’s behind it and could it happen in Britain?   Is Iran coming in from the cold?   Why Labour insists it wants to be the political party of the armed forces.   And a warning to soldiers to beware of taking gym supplements which could lead to the end of their army career…   PRESENTER: Kate Gerbeau STUDIO GUEST:  BFBS’s defence analyst Christopher Lee   OTHER INTERVIEWS:     The BBC’s Mark Doyle, from Kismayo inside Al Shabab territory   BFBS’s Defence Analyst Christopher Lee on what Al Quaida might have planned for America.   Patrick Smith, Editor in Chief of Africa Confidential discussing Kenya   BFBS Reporter  James Hirst reporting from the Labour Party conference & talking to Shadow Defence Secretary Jim Murphy   BFBS Reporter  Will Inglis special report on banned substances that soldiers may have unknowingly taken ………………………………………………………………………………… You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and at 1830 (UK time) on BFBS (via webb, App & DAB in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum)   Alternatively listen again on the website  

President Assad of Syria says he will destroy his chemical weapons – but will the Americans have to pay for it? What can America expect from Al Qaida And what does the future hold for Afghan women? Find out what the Liberal Democrats have been saying about defence  Will Germany drawdown lead to a shortage of school places for Forces’ children? And  find out why Tunnocks Teacakes were banned by the RAF in the 1960s. PRESENTER: Kate GerbeauSTUDIO GUEST:  Professor Michael Clarke, Director General of the Royal United Services Institute for defence and security studies.  OTHER INTERVIEWS:   Clare Lockhart director of the Institute for State Effectiveness, discussing the plight of Afghan woman. BFBS’s Defence Analyst Christopher Lee on what Al Quaida might have planned for America. BFBS Reporter James Hirst on the Liberal Democrat party conference that took place in Glasgow this week BFBS Reporter  Ali Gibson speaking to Lieutenant General Andrew Gregory, Chief of Defence Personnel on the New Employment Model, Catherine Spencer, Chief Executive of the Army Families Federation, commenting on fears that Forces families will face a lack of school places in Wiltshire, when they return to the UK from Germany. …………………………………………………………………………………You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and at 1830 (UK time) on BFBS (via webb, App & DAB in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum)  Alternatively listen again on the website 

The reaction to President Putin’s direct appeal to the American people about Syria. What are the practicalities of removing Syria’s chemical weapons stockpile? Why are the Afghan National Army suffering such big losses in Sangin? What’s the future for defence procurement? And,what was life like for the women working at Churchill’s School for Spies?  PRESENTER: Kate GerbeauSTUDIO GUEST: BFBS’s Defence Analyst Christopher Lee  & Professor Eric Grove, Professor of Naval History and Senior Fellow in Security Studies at Liverpool Hope University  OTHER INTERVIEWS:   Chris Abbott, a Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Specialist, discussing Syria's chemical weapons. BFBS reporter Geoff Meade reporting from Camp Bastion BFBS reporter Will Inglis  Defence Equipment Minister Philip Dunne about the defence industry BFBS reporter Claire Sadler interviews Noreen Riols author of “The Secret Ministry of A G and Fish” …………………………………………………………………………………You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and at 1830 (UK time) on BFBS (via webb, App & DAB in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum)  Alternatively listen again on the website 

Can the international community agree on a plan of action for Syria? What will be the long-term impact of the growing humanitarian crisis? There’s increased military activity in the Mediterranean, but what does it mean for Cyprus? Find out about the young Winston Churchill’s early battle experience in Afghanistan. And ….discover a place where computers can still take a backseat to old-fashioned maps PRESENTER: Claire SadlerSTUDIO GUEST: BFBS’s Defence Analyst Christopher Lee  & Daily Telegraph’s Defence Editor Con Coughlin  OTHER INTERVIEWS:   BFBS reporter Carla Prater from Akrotiri , Cyprus BFBS reporter Will Inglis investigating war games…………………………………………………………………………………You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and at 1830 (UK time) on BFBS (via webb, App & DAB in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum)  Alternatively listen again on the website

As the situation grows into a global crisis Sitrep guides you through all the developments… From the country's origins, after the First World War - to the present day, we ask what went wrong? What can the UK do?  Plus: the likely consequences & fallout if the West does attack Syria.  That’s all in Sitrep with Kate Gerbeau today at…………………..   PRESENTER: Kate Gerbeau STUDIO GUEST: BFBS’s Defence Analyst Christopher Lee  & Dr Martin Macauley, international affairs analyst.   OTHER INTERVIEWS:     Sir Andrew Green, former ambassador to Syria,    BFBS reporter James Hirst looks at Syria’s recent history   Professor Michael Stathis, Professor of Political Science & International Relations at Southern Utah University discusses America’s position   BBC’s political correspondent Rob Watson on UK public opinion     ………………………………………………………………………………… You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and at 1830 (UK time) on BFBS (via webb, App & DAB in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum)   Alternatively listen again on the website

In this week's edition of Sitrep......... TODAY'S PRESENTER IS JAMES HIRST Keeping secrets secret...should we all be concerned about the 9 hour questioning of David Miranda at Heathrow Airport? As relations between America and Russia turn chilly again...are we in danger of another Cold War? An Egyptian court orders the release of former President Hosni Mubarak...will that make a real difference to Egypt, or is it just symbolic? Climate change is as big a threat to world peace as terrorism. And...we recommend some good military books to get you through what's left of the summer. PRESENTER: JAMES HIRST STUDIO GUEST: BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee and Professor Paul Rogers who lectures on international security at the University of Bradford. OTHER INTERVIEWS: Rear Admiral Neil Morisetti, William Hague's climate envoy.

TODAY'S PRESENTER IS JAMES HIRST   What next for a divided Egypt?   The complicated  logistics of withdrawing men and equipment from Afghanistan   Following 20th Armoured Brigade on ex Prairie Thunder   Hero, Veteran or simply ex-Forces -  how do you describe yourself?   PRESENTER: James Hirst STUDIO GUEST: BFBS’s Defence Analyst Christopher Lee  & Major General Julian Thompson   OTHER INTERVIEWS:     Nadim Shehadi,  from Chatham House Middle East and North Africa Programme,   BFBS reporter Geoff Meade in Camp Bastion on logistics of withdrawal.    BFBS reporter  Ali Gibson on EX PRAIRIE THUNDER   Hugh Milroy, Chief Executive of Veterans Aid.   ………………………………………………………………………………… You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and at 1830 (UK time) on BFBS (via webb, App & DAB in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum)   Alternatively listen again on the website

How dangerous was the threat of a major terrorist plot in Yemen? Could Iran’s new leadership lead to a thawing of relations with the West? Why Gibraltar’s residents are asking for a stronger Royal Navy presence on the Rock…. And, find out why August is the month for conflict. PRESENTER: Kate GerbeauSTUDIO GUEST: BFBS’s Defence Analyst Christopher Lee  & Middle East analyst Hazhir Teimourian OTHER INTERVIEWS:  Mike Evans, security specialist writer for The Times,  BFBS reporter James Hirst  speaks to the first minister of Gibraltar, Fabian Picardo, is there and sent this report …………………………………………………………………………………You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and at 1830 (UK time) on BFBS (via webb, App & DAB in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum)  Alternatively listen again on the website