BFBS Sitrep

This week there’s more pressure from Argentina over its claims to the Falklands Islands   Why America thinks Europe should pay for its own defence and security including Afghanistan.   There’s a warning over military intervention in Syria & the consequences of drone strikes in Yemen.   And there’s concerns over the future capabilities of the Royal Navy.     PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbeau STUDIO GUEST:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee & Professor Paul Rogers, from the Dept of Peace Studies at Bradford University.   OTHER INTERVIEWS:    Jonathan Foreman from Civitas Institute discussing moving the international aid budget to the armed forces.   Professor Sir Paul Newton on Syria    Iona Craig, the Times Yemen correspondent, on drone strikes in Yemen   Steve Bush editor of British Warships And Auxiliaries 2013/14 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.

This week Sitrep looks back at events that have shaped 2012  & Britain’s Armed Forces From transition in Afghanistan to civil war in Syria A year that remembered the Falkland's conflict & saw trouble returning to the streets of Belfast It was a summer of celebration and ceremony for the military, but what’s in store for 2013? Listen to this week’s Sitrep and find out… 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. PRESENTER:  Kate GerbeauSTUDIO GUEST:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee and Major General Julian Thompson OTHER Contributors:  BFBS Reporters Tim Cooper in Cyprus, Rob Olver in Germany and Steve Britton in Brunei.

What next for Syria as the violence continues to escalate?   What’s behind the latest trouble in Northern Ireland ?   Could North Korea’s rocket launch elevate their  status on the world stage?   How a mother’s story of her soldier son may help young officers.   And why women might make better spies than men..........     PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbeau STUDIO GUEST:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee   OTHER INTERVIEWS:    Northern Ireland analyst Alan Murray on the latest troubles   Aidan Foster Carter, Korean expert on the rocket launch   Margaret Evison, author of "Death of a Soldier: A Mother's Story"   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.

  The Chancellor’s Autumn statement – what does it mean for  Defence?   Find out how much progress has been made with the military covenant one year on   The new Deputy Commander of ISAF speaks about his hopes for the Afghan people.   Was this week’s NATO meeting Hilary Clinton’s farewell as US Foreign Secretary?   And, could the new US Ambassador be wearing Prada…….     PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbeau STUDIO GUEST:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee   OTHER INTERVIEWS:    BFBS Reporter James Hirst on the Autumn Statement and James Blitz – the security and defence editor of the Financial Times   Catherine Spencer, Chief Exec of the Army Families Federation on the military covenant & the hardships facing US Army wives .   The Deputy Commander of ISAF Lt General Nick Parker     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.

What’s the state of Britain’s military justice system? Find out what concerns Nato's Secretary General has for Afghanistan and his hopes for a smooth transition. Who are the M23 & why we should be concerned And, the search for Burma’s missing spitfiresPRESENTER:  Kate Gerbeau STUDIO GUEST:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee  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.

  A ceasefire’s been declared but what’s next in the long quest for peace between Gaza and Israel?   Find out why the British Army in Kenya have been building a new base   And why former Cypriot dissidents might sue the British Army   Plus...  the story behind Portsmouth’s new Book shop and Naval art gallery   PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbeau STUDIO GUEST:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee     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.

The Chief of Defence Staff warns ministers not to expect too much from a cut-down military.    A Royal Navy Submariner admits attempting to pass secrets to the Russians. Professor Eric Grove explains the dark history of spying submariners.   Britain calls for restraint in Gaza - what could be the consequences of this latest outbreak of violence?   Geoff Meade reports from Exercise Albanian Lion.   And after the Petraeus scandal, we look at America's relationship with it's generals.   PRESENTER: Kate Gerbeau  STUDIO GUEST:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee and Professor Michael Clarke from his studio at the Royal United Services Institute.     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.

The Government's plans to attract more reservists to the Army What’s the global reaction to President Obama’s election victory? Find out which countries wish he hadn’t won and why Should we trade arms with the Middle East? And why the CIA are funding social media in Cuba PRESENTER:  PAUL OSBOURNESTUDIO GUEST:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee  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.

With one week to go until America elects its President who has the best foreign and defence policy And why the Middle East will be foremost in the next President’s mind Why getting inside a terrorists mind could help us counter the terrorism threat Find out about the campaign to protect the graves of Victoria Cross heroes And British Forces say goodbye to the last Military hospital in Cyprus   PRESENTER:  JAMES HIRST STUDIO GUEST:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee   Interviews:   Dr Michael Stathis  , from Southern Utah University on the US Elections. Roger Griffin on his new book ‘the British Forces News’ reporter Tim Cooper reporting on the closing of the last military hospital Ben Harris from the think-tank The Bow Group on protecting the graves of the Victoria Cross recipients.     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.

Why British troops could be involved in Mali, Africa (pro: Mar-lee)   Who’s leading the race to become America’s next President?   The logistics of withdrawal from Afghanistan, what  plans are being drawn up for the eventual exit?   Plus.... the forgotten voices of the Second World War who still have so much to say………   PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbeau STUDIO GUEST:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee   Stephen O’Brien, David Cameron’s special advisor on Mali. British Forces News’ reporter James Hirst reporting from the States on the forthcoming Presidential elections Major General Julian Thompson discussing logistics of withdrawing from Afghanistan & his new book, Forgotten Voices ‘Desert Victory’.    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.