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

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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.

 

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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?

 

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

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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.

 

  

 

PRESENTER:  Kate GerbauSTUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee. 

 

 

 

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.

 

SITREP trail 13th October

The revolutionary forces in Libya are close to securing Sirte - but where is Gaddafi?

How a message in a bottle helped the Royal Navy save a ship from piracy

Why the prisoner exchange between Hamas and the Israelis is vital for the future of the Middle East

And …. why Cyprus continues to be strategically important

PRESENTER

: Matt Teale

STUDIO GUESTS

: BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee.

INTERVIEWS WITH:

Dr Rosemary Hollis,

Professor of Middle East Policy Studies at City University

at City University

British Forces News & Sitrep presenter,

Kate Gerbau in Cyprus

Karen Jacques

from Dryad Maritime Intelligence Services - who monitor the threat of piracy.

It’s been 10 years since British forces were sent to Afghanistan, but are they any closer to securing a successful outcome? 

How has the military strategy changed in that time ?   

Why  Nato says there must be more commitment from its allies

How European security could be threatened by the Eurozone crisis

And , the dogs of war, why our canine friends are so much more than a man’s best friend....

 

 

PRESENTER:     Kate Gerbau

 

STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee. 

 

INTERVIEWS WITH:

 

BBC 's Paul Wood in Afghanistan

 

James Blitz, the Financial Times Defence & Security Editor, on the Eurozone crisis.

 

British Forces News’ reporter Will Inglis on how the forces' equipment has improved in the past 10 years

 

British Forces News’ reporter James Hirst on the Tory Party conference.

 

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 Royal Navy is set to announce details of redundancies tomorrow...former First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Jonathon Band tells Sitrep how he thinks this will affect the Senior Service

What impact will redundancies have on morale?  The Navy Families Federation tell us what support systems are in place to help those affected

There’s been  job losses at BAe – but are we losing too much expertise from the defence industry/

Why the Labour Party claim they are the party for the military

And,  today would have been Admiral Nelson’s birthday –what would he make  of  today’s modern Forces?

 

 

PRESENTER:     Kate Gerbau

 

STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee. 

 

INTERVIEWS WITH:

 

Former First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Jonathon Band, on redundancies in the Royal Navy

 

Kim Richardson, Chair of the Navy Families Association

 

British Forces News’ reporter James Hirst from the Labour Party conference

 
The latest from Libya as anti-Gaddafi forces battle their way to Sirte
Two years ago former Ghurkhas won the right to stay in the UK, but is the infrastructure there to support them?
What the Libl Dem’s think about defence issues.
And why World War One still fascinates us after all these years
 
PRESENTER:     Matt Teale
 
STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee. 
 
INTERVIEWS WITH:
Alastair Leithead, BBC Correspondent en route to Sirte, Libya with the NTC troops.  The BBC’s correspondent in Kabul,, Bilal Sarwary
Gerald Howarth, Conservative MP for Aldershot, one area where former Gurkhas have settled.Peter Carroll, of the Justice For  Gurkhas Campaign
British Forces News’ reporter James Hirst from the Lib Dem Party conference.
British Forces News’ reporter Tim Cooper visits the  replica WW1 trenches used by the popular TV series, Downton Abbey

How the UK is planning to help Libya get back on its feet

 After the siege in Kabul – how prepared are Afghan forces to take control of their country’s security?

 Why cyber security remains a global threat

 And what makes a hero, is it outstanding bravery or just a question of luck?

 PRESENTER:     Matt Teale

 STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee. 

 INTERVIEWS WITH:Oliver Miles the former ambassador to Libya

The BBC’s correspondent in Kabul,, Bilal Sarwary

Claire Yorke, co-author of the Chatham House report on Cyber security

Matt Croucher GC, author of The Royal British Legion  book 90 YEARS OF HEROES

(Published by Collins)

The Baha Mousa Inquiry publishes its report but have conditions changed sufficiently to prevent this happening again?
 
Are former injured service personnel getting the special treatment they were promised in the Military Covenant
 
The legacy of 9/11 on America ten years on
 
And... find out why identifying the enemy could be increasingly difficult with the invention of an Invisibility Cloak
 

PRESENTER:     Matt Teale
STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee. 
INTERVIEWS WITH:
Gisela Stuart, MP, sits on the House of Commons Defence Select Committee, discusses injured service personnel
Simon Marks of Feature Story in Washington talking about the 10th Anniversary of 9/11
Mike Sweeney of BAE Systems on the invention of an Invisibility Cloak that could potentially disguise tanks

SITREP trail 1 September

In an exclusive interview on Sitrep , the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, William Hague, speaks to Kate Gerbau about rebuilding  Libya, the wider Arab Spring and the future of Afghanistan.

Plus: As the Army & RAF find out the details of their redundancy programmes what impact will it have on morale and the future fighting capability of the Services?

PRESENTER:      Kate Gerbau

STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee. 

INTERVIEWS WITH:

The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, William Hague

Patrick Mercer,¸MP, & former British Army officer – discussing Army redundancies.

Dawn McCafferty from the RAF Families Federation on how morale will be affected by the redundancies

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.

After  a six month campaign it’s the end of the road for Gaddafi as Tripoli falls – but what’s next for Libya?
In a special edition Sitrep speaks to the Secretary of State for Defence, Liam Fox, who discusses how Britain has been helping the rebels track down Gaddafi and the help NATO can provide to help a smooth transition of government.
Plus: the key role RAF’s Sentinel spy plane has played in intelligence gathering.

PRESENTER:      Kate Gerbau
STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defence analyst, Christopher Lee
INTERVIEWS WITH: Secretary of State for Defence, Liam Fox
Professor Michael Clarke: the Director of the Royal United Services Institute,

BFBS reporter Cath Brazier on the role of the RAF's Sentinel spy plane

Is Gadaffi's grip on Libya coming to an end?
 
And if so, how ready are the rebels to take control?
 
How bribery and corruption are hampering aid to Afghanistan.
 
The latest controversy surrounding the Carrier programme.
 
And, discover the weird and wonderful ways the allies tried to defeat Hitler during WW11

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 Teale
STUDIO 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 Gerbau
STUDIO GUESTS:  BFBS’s defenceanalyst, Christopher Lee.  & Major General Julian Thompson, formercommander of the Royal Marines
INTERVIEWS WITH:
Fawaz Gerges,Professor of Middle Eastern Policy at the London School of Economics.
Oliver Miles,former UK ambassador to Libya
Catherine Spencer, Army Families Federation
Tabitha 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 future
And..how instrumental was the campaign to save RAF Lossiemouth in securing the base's future?

PRESENTER:Kate Gerbau
STUDIO 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 collapse
A 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?

Why the special relationship with the US is so essential to the UK and its security

And why cooperation between the UK & US is important to the welfare of our Forces

As military action increases in Libya - why the critics are also raising their voice

And It’s the end of an era at RAF Kinloss.........

The military covenant moves one step closer to becoming law, but not everybody’s happy.

There’s a warning of more cuts to come but will the Army be in the firing line?

 How far should NATO forces go in Libya?

And the significance of the Queen’s visit to Ireland – how will it affect future relations?

A Sitrep special as the world reacts to the news of the death of Osama Bin Laden

How will it affect strategy in Afghanistan, and more importantly the role of British Forces there?

How will Al Qaeda react?

The international response & relations with Pakistan

And we look at the implications for international security & terrorism?

What’s the way forwardfor a favourable outcome in Libya?

And how should theinternational community respond to the deepening crisis in Syria?

What are the implicationsof the Taliban prisoner escape? 

 Plus: the final countdown to the Royal Wedding:

As British military advisors head to Libya - should  Nato be doing more and is this the start of "mission creep"?

Why the next few months are the real test of progress in Afghanistan

How the weapons of the future could change the face of modern warfare

And the special roles the Forces will play at the royal wedding...

Could Afghanistan become the West’s forgotten war?

Is the coalition targeting Colonel Gaddafi falling apart?

After 50 years of space exploration why outer-space could be a threat to civilisation

And who is Britain’s greatest general?

Sitrep 31st March (presented today by Paul Osbourne)

How long can the coalition hold together in Libya?

Is the RAF about to run out of pilots?

Why there's a growing role for reservists in Afghanistan

And what did the Government apologise for in Northern Ireland?

In Sitrep today....

In Libya - who’s running the military operation?  What’s the objective?  And is there an exit strategy?

Plus the other Middle East countries on the brink of revolution

And, in Afghanistan as seven provinces are handed over to Afghan security forces, is the end in sight ?

The continuing crisis in the Middle east

 

A top General tells Sitrep he's optimistic about progress in Afghanistan but also urges caution

 

What role would Brtish forces play if the UK had a nuclear emergency?

 

The Cold War ended a long time ago so why are Russian bombers trying to penetrate British Airspace

 

And a special tribute for the town that's honoured our fallen soldiers

In this week’s Sitrep….

 

Why the MoD says there’ll be no U-turn on defence cuts,

 

How should the international community respond to the crisis in Libya?

 

And how did the SAS operation in the desert go so badly wrong?

 

Plus: why China is boosting its influence in Afghanistan

Who’ll win the tug of war over Libya’s future?
 
The harsh realities of the Defence Review as each Service prepares for job losses 
 
The renewed push for a  political surge in Afghanistan
 
And a career change for veterans - from the front-line to the classroom

The Shadow Defence Secretary’s response to the fiasco of the ‘sacking by email’ and the failure to legalize the the Military Covenant
 
And….after successful demonstrations in Egypt and Tunisia, what’s the possible outcome for the protesters in Bahrain, Libya and Iran?
 
Plus: why Prince William’s wedding attire is causing a royal headache…

Has David Cameron broken his promise to the armed-forces?
 
The story behind the botched search-and-rescue helicopter deal
 
If American pressure helps to change Egypt’s Government, can it mend the Middle East Peace process?
 
And should all serving personnel be awarded a medal?

 

 

This week,  Sitrep looks back 20 years ago to the first Iraq War as the legalities of the most recent Iraq war are still being debated ahead of Tony Blair’s return to the Iraq Inquiry

 

Plus: as the governments in Tunisia and Lebanon collapse, what can be done to calm renewed tensions in the Middle East?

Is the government politicising the military convenant

 

How a change to  Forces’ pensions  could leave many out-of-pocket

 

Why the Chief of the Defence Staff believes the UK should have it’s own Cyber Command.

 

And  why one group are campaigning to raise the age of recruitment from 16 to 18.

This week’s Sitrep looks ahead: what can the defence world expect in 2011: what’s the prognosis for peace in Afghanistan ?  And why is Pakistan the key to peace in the region?
 
How will the cuts from last year’s defence review affect British Forces around the world?
 
Plus, why the Government is holding a review into the care of  Forces’ amputees and why Germany’s ending conscription.