BFBS Sitrep

  SITREP TRAIL 12th January   Why Scottish  independence would have huge implications for defence. What could be behind the assassination of another one of Iran’s nuclear scientists? There are more diplomatic tensions in South America as the Argentines are accused of starting a squid war against the Falklands Plus, how military academies could help to prevent future riots.     PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbau ................................................................................................................................................................. You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and on BFBS Radio 1 at 1830 (UK time).   Alternatively listen again on the website.

The Strategic Defence Review recommends that the future British Army will be supplemented by the TA but is it too much to ask of the reserve forces?   The US Forces brace themselves for their Defence Review but what will it mean for relations with Europe, and the UK’s 'special' relationship?   Why the Taliban are planning to open an office in Quatar.   Is Iran upping the ante with its warning to America not to send its carriers back to the Persian gulf   And we hear how the huge advances in medical science on the front-line are saving more lives than ever before   PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbau   STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee    Interviews with:   Col Richard Williams former commanding officer of 22 SAS, and contributor to the Future Reserves 2020 report, the review of the Reserve Forces.   Capt Doug Beattie, former soldier now in the Territorial Army   BFN's James Hirst on the US Defence Review   Professor Porter on advances in trauma care

This week it’s a Sitrep special looking back at the year of defence & current affairs in 2011.   How much progress been made in Afghanistan?   The extraordinary story of the Arab Spring…..will history judge it a success or failure?   What impact has the SDSR had now its findings are being implemented?   And we look at the challenges that lie ahead for 2012    PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbau   STUDIO GUESTS:    BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee    Michael Codner, director of military sciences at the Royal United Services Institute   BFBS's reporter Geoff Meade ................................................................................................................................................................. You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and on BFBS Radio 1 at 1830 (UK time).   Alternatively listen again on the website.

  The US and NATO ends their mission in Iraq – but have they achieved what they set out to do?   The Defence Committee raise concern about the long-term care of injured service personnel   What are the implications for European defence initiatives given the current financial climate?   And….. find out why the Jolly Roger is flying high at Portsmouth   PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbau   STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee    Interviews with:   Sir Jeremy Greenstock:  former representative to Iraq   James Arbuthnot, Chair of the House of Commons Defence Select Committee on treatment of injured Service personnel.   Tomas Valasek from the Centre for European reform on the Eurozone crisis   Victoria Ingles from the Royal Naval museum at Portsmouth on the Jolly Roger.

There’s criticism of our policy in Afghanistan but is it really all tactics without strategy?   And who and what are behind the latest attacks this week?   Find out why they’re demonstrating in Moscow   Why mass immigration is a danger to us all   Plus, what’s the attraction of describing war?  We find out from one RAF Sgt.   PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbau   STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee    Interviews with:   Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles:  former ambassador of the UK to Afghanistan and Pakistan.   Alexander Nekrassov, former advisor to the Kremlin   Sgt Alex Ford AKA, RAF Airman who’s blog and tweets have attracted a huge follow     You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and on BFBS Radio 1 at 1830 (UK time).   Alternatively listen again on the website.

  What can be done to heal diplomatic relations between the UK and Iran?   How can Nato salvage its relationship with Pakistan?   Why there’s continued unrest over borders in the Balkans    And, find out about a new invention to remove barnacles from the bottom of ships     PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbau   STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee    Interviews with:   Middle East Analyst Hazhir Teimourian on Iran   Lord Ashdown on , Nato, Pakistan and US relations; the Balkans and European security   BFBS News' reporter Tim Cooper on removing barnacles.   ................................................................................................................................................................. You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and on BFBS Radio 1 at 1830 (UK time).   Alternatively listen again on the website.

  Why military top brass say it's too early to judge whether the war in Afghanistan has been successful   The Government will appoint a chief coroner but what will it mean in practical terms to Service families?   Why Turkey is forging closer military ties with the UK    And there's growing unrest in Egypt  - so what happened to the Arab Spring?       PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbau   STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee    Interviews with:   British Forces News reporter Geoff Meade in Camp Bastion, Afghanistan.   BBC Correspondent Hugh Sykes, in Cairo, Egypt   Middle East analyst Jon Marks on the Arab Spring.   Kevin Shinkwin from the Royal British Legion on the role of the Chief Coroner ................................................................................................................................................................. You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and on BFBS Radio 1 at 1830 (UK time).   Alternatively listen again on the website.

Why Britain's top general in Afghanistan is happy with the progress so far. The best way for politicians and the top brass to work out military strategy. Why Cap Badges are an integral and honourable part of the British Army. And what battles would make the Top 20 of Britain’s worst military disasters?  PRESENTER:  Kate Gerbau STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee  Interviews with: British Forces News reporter Geoff Meade talking to Lft Genearl James Bucknall on his time in Afghanistan. Major General Mungo Melvin, talking about military strategy.  Julian Farrance from the Army Museum, discussing Cap Badges. uthor John Withington talking about his new book 'Britain's 20 Worst Military Disaster

SITREP TRAIL 10th November It’s the end of an era as British troops in Germany prepare for a long march-out. How worried should we be about Iran’s nuclear weapons programme? After another fatal accident, just how essential are the Red Arrows? And we hear how the soldiers in Afghanistan will be remembering their comrades both past and present this coming weekend . PRESENTER : Kate Gerbau STUDIO GUESTS: BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee Interviews with: British Forces News reporter James Hirst on the drawdown of British troops in Germany. Hazhir Teimourian, Middle Eastanalyst on Iran's nuclear weapon building programme. Air Chief Marshall Sir Michael Graydon discussing the role of the Red Arrows. British Forces News reporter Geoff Meade in Afghanistan on remembrance.

Why the West feels so threatened by Iran…   Is the Government doing enough to counter the cyber security threat?  And find out how we can all help to police Cyber-Space.   How British Forces in Afghanistan have changed the mind set of one former Taliban commander to denounce violence   Plus, a very special celebration for the Royal British Legion   PRESENTER:  James Hirst   STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee    Interviews with:   Professor Michael Clarke, director of the Royal United Services Institute talking about the threat Iran poses and the findings of the RUSI survey on defence matters.   General Sir Graeme Lamb, former commander of Special Forces, on cyber security   British Forces News reporter Geoff Meade in Afghanistan.    Lt General Sir John Kiszely, head of the Royal British Legion   You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and on BFBS Radio 1 at 1830 (UK time). Alternatively listen again on the website.