BFBS Sitrep

After a British soldier was killed in Woolwich – today’s Sitrep programme analyses the terror threat ….were they lone operators or part of a more sinister group -  and what does this mean for our Service men and women?  PRESENTER: Kate Gerbeau STUDIO GUEST: BFBS’s Defence Analyst Christopher Lee OTHER INTERVIEWS:  PM David Cameron speaks to BFBS Reporter Claire Sadler Admiral Lord West, former minister for security and counter-terrorism Professor Michael Clarke, Director General of the Royal United Services Institute  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 longer tours of duty in theatre may be beneficial. If the UK left the EU what impact would it have on defence? Discover what it takes to be a great foreign secretary. What’s behind the spy story in Moscow? And a special report from Colorado Springs on the Warrior Games  PRESENTER: Kate Gerbeau STUDIO GUEST: BFBS’s Defence Analyst Christopher Lee OTHER INTERVIEWS:    Major General Patrick Sanders, the Assistant Chief of Defence Staff (Operations), talks about extended tours of duty Alexander Nekrassov, former Kremlin advisor on spies.Jonathan Powell, who was Tony Blair’s Chief of Staff, discussing foreign secretariesThe BBC’s political correspondent, Rob Watson on EU & defenceBFBS reporter Tim Cooper reporting from the Warrior Games in the US. 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

Why the Defence Reform Bill plans to change the way military equipment is bought   Securing Somalia – the country’s top soldier talks about building his army from scratch.   Could drones spell the end for those magnificent men in their flying machines?   The mother of one of the four soldiers who died at the Deepcut Army barracks tells us why she’s pushing for a public inquiry.   And the 70th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic – why it was the longest continuous military campaign of the Second World War.     PRESENTER: Kate Gerbeau STUDIO GUEST: BFBS’s Defence Analyst Christopher Lee   OTHER INTERVIEWS:   James Blitz, Defence and Security Editor at the Financial Times discusses the Defence Reform Bill    BFBS reporter Laura Hawkins meets General Dahir Adan Elmi, Commander-in-chief of the Somali National Army   Douglas Barrie, Senior Fellow for military aerospace at the international Institute for Strategic Studies discusses the increased use of drones.   Yvonne Collinson Heath author of a new book "A Mother's War: One Woman's Fight for the Truth Behind Her Son's Death at Deepcut” which is published today…   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

Ten years on how influential are the Taliban in Afghanistan?   Why Camp Delta in Guantanomo is giving President Obama a headache   How the battle lines are being drawn in cyber space   And UK veterans land in South Korea with war memories on their mind.     PRESENTER: Kate Gerbeau STUDIO GUEST: BFBS’s Defence Analyst Christopher Lee   OTHER INTERVIEWS:       BFBS Reporter James Hirst reports from Camp Bastion   Middle East analyst Hazhir Teimourian comments on the Taliban’s spring offensive & Al Qaida’s influence   Cyber specialist David Livingstone on cyber security.   BFBS Reporter Fiona Weir reports from South Korea on a new war memorial dedicated to veterans of the Korean War You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and on BFBS Radio & BFBS UK Bases at 1830 (UK time)   Alternatively listen again on the website

As the Government prepares to tighten its belt further how safe is defence from more cuts and what impact would a cut in the counter-terrorism budget have on Britain’s security? Are chemical weapons being used in Syria? What does the future hold for Afghan interpreters post 2014? And ...... find out the definitive reading list for military minds    PRESENTER: Kate Gerbeau STUDIO GUEST: BFBS’s Defence Analyst Christopher Lee OTHER INTERVIEWS:   Professor Eric Grove, the Director of the Centre for International Security and War Studies at Salford University and Richard Norton Taylor who writes on defence and security affairs for The Guardian.  They discuss the forthcoming spending review and implications of a cut to the counter-terrorism budget. Tom Porteous, the program director for Human Rights Watch – looks at the claim that Syria has used chemical weapons. BFBS Reporter Rosie Laydon interviews ………………………Who are fighting for the right to live in the UK Christopher Lee and Eric Grove discuss the former CDS Sir David Richards' recommended reading list which You can view the full  list herehttp://www.da.mod.uk/recommended-reading You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and on BFBS Radio & BFBS UK Bases at 1830 (UK time) Alternatively listen again on the website

As transition in Afghanistan’s continues there’s still concern over insurgency   The Syrian President’s Al Qaida warning to the West   North Korea says it is ready to talk but is China running out of patience?   Remembering the Iron Lady & her military legacy.   Plus there’s an exclusive look at the F35 Lightning Two jet simulator.     PRESENTER: Kate Gerbeau STUDIO GUEST: BFBS’s Defence Analyst Christopher Lee   OTHER INTERVIEWS:     Brigadier Bob Bruce discusses transition & insurgency in Afgfhanistan   Andrea Berger – from the Department of Peace Studies at Bradford University discussies North Korea and China   Major General Julian Thompson, who commanded the Marines during the Falklands campaign, shares his memories of Baroness Thatcher.’s funeral   BFBS Reporter Tim Cooper, goes to an excusive preview of the F35 Lightning, the new jet for the Aircraft Carriers. You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and on BFBS Radio & BFBS UK Bases at 1830 (UK time) Alternatively listen again on the website

In Sitrep this week..........   Why there’s continued concern for Afghanistan’s future after ISAF forces leave   Find out who’s the power behind the throne of North Korea’s young leader   The military legacy of Baroness Thatcher & why the Lady loved Milk Tray…..   And it’s been 15 years since the Northern Ireland Good Friday Agreement, but how much of a difference has it made to lasting peace?     OTHER INTERVIEWS:     Professor Paul Rogers – from the Department of Peace Studies at Bradford University discussing Afghanistan and North Korea     Major General Julian Thompson, who commanded the Marines during the Falklands campaign, shares his memories of meeting Baroness Thatcher.   Northern Ireland analyst Chris Ryder, reflecting on the 15th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement

There’s warnings from UK and US commanders in Afghanistan ahead of the summer fighting season   And there’s concern in Pakistan as they head towards national elections   As America reacts to North Korea’s rhetoric just how seriously should we be taking the threat?   Plus:  the RAF celebrates 95 years – but what will the air force look like in the future?     PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbeau STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee     OTHER INTERVIEWS:     Forces News’ reporter James Hirst reporting from Camp Bastion   Jason Strother, a reporter based in Seoul, discussing the North Korean crisis   Air Marshall Sir John Walker –Chief of the Intelligence Staff from 1991 to 1994, discussing the Korean crisis and also talking about the RAF   Elizabeth Quintana – an expert in unmanned air vehicles and the use of space assets at the Royal United Services Institute, looking at the future of the RAF   

Why there’s going to be more cuts to the defence budget Who are the different rebel groups  in Syria and what do they want? Now the banks are open – what does the future hold for Cyprus, and could it happen here in the UK? And, It’s the end of an era for the military’s Search and Rescue.  PRESENTER:  Kate GerbeauSTUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee   OTHER INTERVIEWS:   Professor Rosemary Hollis, professor of Middle East policy studies at City University discussing Syria. Forces News’ reporter Tim Cooper reporting on the financial crisis in Cyprus. Forces News’ reporter Julie Knox on the Search & Rescue team You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and on BFBS Radio at 1830 (UK time)Alternatively listen again on the website

Ten years since the invasion of Iraq Sitrep reflects on the anniversary and speaks to former Prime Minister Tony Blair and Colonel Tim Collins, who led his men into Iraq. Plus, the man dubbed the ‘Vicar of Baghdad’ who initially supported the war explains why he’s now changed his mind The latest from Cyprus where the financial crisis continues And find out what the new Chief of the Defence Staff has in his in-tray  PRESENTER:  Kate GerbeauSTUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee   OTHER INTERVIEWS:   Colonel Tim Collins, who commanded the 1st Batallion, Royal Irish Regiment during the Iraq war in 2003 Canon of Baghdad Andrew White, dubbed the ‘Vicar of Baghdad’, he runs a Christian church in Baghdad. Former Prime Minister Tony Blair. Forces News’ reporter Carla Prater from Cyprus discussing the financial crisis and its affects on British Forces over there. You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and on BFBS Radio at 1830 (UK time)Alternatively listen again on the website