BFBS Sitrep

Should the Army have been brought in to help with this week’s riots?What are the wider consequences for America’s engagement in Afghanistan?How climate change has become a threat to our security.And the wider message of Aghanistan’s new TV Sitcom. PRESENTER: Matt TealeSTUDIO GUESTS: BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee and Robert Fox, the EveningStandard’s Defence Corresponent INTERVIEWS WITH:Captain DougBeattie, who’s been in the Armyfor almost thirty years and is now in the TA on this week’s riots & whether or not the Army should have been involved.Dr. Michael Stathis, Professor of Political Science and International Relations at Southern Utah University on public opinion in Amercia after the loss of the Chinook helicopter last weekend.The Energy and Climate Change Secretary, Chris Huhne, on why climate change is a threat to our future security.

SITREP Thursday 28 July  The reasons behind the UK's decisionto recognise the Libyan rebels as Libya’s sole power What’s the prognosis of the Arabspring -  is it fizzling out ? Plus, Sitrep finds out how Forces’ familiesare coping as the Army faces even more redundancies  And, the political consequences of therecent explosions in Cyprus. PRESENTER:      Kate GerbauSTUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defenceanalyst, Christopher Lee.  & Major General Julian Thompson, formercommander of the Royal MarinesINTERVIEWS WITH:Fawaz Gerges,Professor of Middle Eastern Policy at the London School of Economics.Oliver Miles,former UK ambassador to LibyaCatherine Spencer, Army Families FederationTabitha Morgan, Cypriot analyst

What sort of shape will the UK's army be in after yet more cuts are announced?  And what impact will it have on morale?Why the hand-over of Lashkar Gah is critical to Afghanistan's futureAnd..how instrumental was the campaign to save RAF Lossiemouth in securing the base's future?PRESENTER:Kate GerbauSTUDIO GUEST:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee.  INTERVIEWS WITH:Lt General Sir Graeme Lamb & MP Patrick Mercer on the cuts to the Army and the increase in reserves.George McIntyre, Convener of Moray Council and part of the 'save Lossiemouth campaign'.BFBS's Rob Olver, in Afghanistan on the handover of Lashkar Gah Kim Sengupta, The Independent's defence correspondent, on Afghanistan.

The verdict on the Chinook crash – why did it take so long to clear the pilots?The fragile relationship between America and Pakistan comes under more pressure.And Afghanistan’s security policy is questioned after the assassination of President Karzai’s half-brother. Plus: Sitrep gets the NATO perspective on the Libyan campaign.

In an exclusive interview the Secretary of Statefor Defence. Liam Fox,  gives Sitrep his views on the MoD, defence cuts, Libya &Afghanistan ....... We get the reaction from the Royal British Legionand from troops in Afghanistan to the phone-hacking allegations Plus...... what the Afghan National Army can learnfrom Sierra Leone..

In this week’s Sitrep we talk to Lord Levene – the man responsible for the biggest shake-up at the MoD for a generation. Will the news that Colonel Gaddaffi is wanted for war crimes mean he’ll cling on to power until the bitter end? Nimrod makes its last flight - but does its exit leave a big hole in our defence capability? Plus Robert Gates’ end of term report......

Obama's announces his exit strategy for Afghanistan - but what does it mean for British Troops? Why some believe the Strategic Defence & Security Review should be re-opened What's behind the latest outbreak of violence in Northern Ireland? And......do we really need Armed Forces Day?

Yemen’s violent uprising pushes the country to the brink of collapseA warning to Iran - 'Stop arming the Taliban'What difference are the Apaches bringing to the Libyan campaign?Why the Reserves should be increased rather than decreased.And, are relations warming up between Nato & Russian?