(First broadcast on Thursday 21st May 2015 at 4.30pm)

AS IS gathers ground in both Syria & Iraq, Sitrep speaks to a leading expert on Islamic State as the militants continue to gather ground in Iraq and Syria.

Also this week, is America sending weapons into space?

Nato chiefs of staff list new security challenges.

And why more people are dying in conflict despite fewer wars being fought.

---------------------------

PRESENTER THIS WEEK: Kate Gerbeau

STUDIO GUEST:    BFBS defence analyst Christopher Lee

OTHER INTERVIEWS: 

Abdel Bari Atwan, author of "Islamic State - The Digital Caliphate"

BFBS reporter Victoria Smith interview with the International Institute for Strategic Studies Director of transnational threats and political risk, Nigel Inkster, as it publishes its 2015 Armed Conflict Survey.

X-37B Spacecraft  with Kenneth Chang ,Science Reporter from The New York Times,

BFBS reporter James Hirst talks to the people behind a new film giving a unique insight into the Afghan Army in Helmand .  "Tell Spring Not To Come This Year"

THURSDAYS at 4:30pm UK TIME on BFBS RADIO 2and at 6:30pm UK TIME on BFBS & UK Bases

You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and at 1830 (UK time) on BFBS (via web, App & DAB in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum)

 Sky Channel 0211

Alternatively listen again on the website, or download the Sitrep Podcast.

PRESENTER THIS WEEK: Kate Gerbeau

In Syria - have the Generals had enough of Assad?

Is NATO lining up it's Baltic army?

Who will be the new Chair of the Defence Select Committee?

RAF Chinooks are being prevented from helping in Nepal. Has Britain sent the wrong type of helicopter?

And some right royal opinions have aired about the Ministry of Defence.

---------------------------

PRESENTER THIS WEEK: Kate Gerbeau

STUDIO GUEST:           BFBS defence analyst Christopher Lee

OTHER INTERVIEWS: 

Sir Andrew Green, a former British Ambassador in Damascus.

Former Chief of the General  Staff, Lord Dannatt, discussing the possibility of Nato troops being deployed to Baltic states.

The Conservative MP Colonel Bob Stewart talking to Tim Cooper about the now vacant position of Chair of Commons Defence Select Committee.

Nepal Aid - Yurendra Basnett , Research Fellow from the Overseas Development Institute (ODI)

THURSDAYS at 4:30pm UK TIME on BFBS RADIO 2and at 6:30pm UK TIME on BFBS & UK Bases

You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and at 1830 (UK time) on BFBS (via web, App & DAB in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum)

 Sky Channel 0211

Alternatively listen again on the website

PRESENTER THIS WEEK: Kate Gerbeau

In Syria - have the Generals had enough of Assad?

Is NATO lining up it's Baltic army?

Who will be the new Chair of the Defence Select Committee?

RAF Chinooks are being prevented from helping in Nepal. Has Britain sent the wrong type of helicopter?

And some right royal opinions have aired about the Ministry of Defence.

---------------------------

PRESENTER THIS WEEK: Kate Gerbeau

STUDIO GUEST:           BFBS defence analyst Christopher Lee

OTHER INTERVIEWS: 

Sir Andrew Green, a former British Ambassador in Damascus.

Former Chief of the General  Staff, Lord Dannatt, discussing the possibility of Nato troops being deployed to Baltic states.

The Conservative MP Colonel Bob Stewart talking to Tim Cooper about the now vacant position of Chair of Commons Defence Select Committee.

Nepal Aid - Yurendra Basnett , Research Fellow from the Overseas Development Institute (ODI)

THURSDAYS at 4:30pm UK TIME on BFBS RADIO 2and at 6:30pm UK TIME on BFBS & UK Bases

You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and at 1830 (UK time) on BFBS (via web, App & DAB in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum)

 Sky Channel 0211

Alternatively listen again on the website

How Gurkha engineers and the RAF are providing aid to Nepal

Trident - why the debate goes on?

There's a new man in charge of Northern Cyprus, will that help the stalled peace talks?

And Britain's Greatest Generation with stories of VE Day and beyond.

---------------------------

PRESENTER THIS WEEK: Paula Middlehurst

STUDIO GUEST:           BFBS defence analyst Christopher Lee.

OTHER INTERVIEWS: 

TRIDENT

Interview with former Chief of the Defence Staff Lord Boyce, and BFBS defence analyst Christopher Lee

NEW PRESIDENT OF NORTHERN CYPRUS

Correspondent - Mike Theodoulou

BOOK REVIEW

Sue Elliot, Co-Author of "Britain's Greatest Generation”

How Gurkha engineers and the RAF are providing aid to Nepal

Trident - why the debate goes on?

There's a new man in charge of Northern Cyprus, will that help the stalled peace talks?

And Britain's Greatest Generation with stories of VE Day and beyond.

---------------------------

PRESENTER THIS WEEK: Paula Middlehurst

STUDIO GUEST:           BFBS defence analyst Christopher Lee.

OTHER INTERVIEWS: 

TRIDENT

Interview with former Chief of the Defence Staff Lord Boyce, and BFBS defence analyst Christopher Lee

NEW PRESIDENT OF NORTHERN CYPRUS

Correspondent - Mike Theodoulou

BOOK REVIEW

Sue Elliot, Co-Author of "Britain's Greatest Generation”

The Mediterranean migrants crisis…did we heed the warnings?

The use of drones -  are we being told everything?

100 years on what did we learn from Gallipoli?

and…with two weeks to go…what are the main defence issues dominating the election?

---------------------------

PRESENTER THIS WEEK: Kate Gerbeau

STUDIO GUESTS: BFBS defence analyst Christopher Lee and former Royal Marine, Major General Julian Thompson.

OTHER INTERVIEWS: 

General Sir Nick Parker, former Commander, Land Forces speaking to BFBS reporter James Hirst ahead of the general election on defence issues.

Book review with author Chris Woods, a former BBC Panorama producer whose new book is Sudden Justice, America’s Secret Drone Wars

The Mediterranean migrants crisis…did we heed the warnings?

The use of drones -  are we being told everything?

100 years on what did we learn from Gallipoli?

and…with two weeks to go…what are the main defence issues dominating the election?

---------------------------

PRESENTER THIS WEEK: Kate Gerbeau

STUDIO GUESTS: BFBS defence analyst Christopher Lee and former Royal Marine, Major General Julian Thompson.

OTHER INTERVIEWS: 

General Sir Nick Parker, former Commander, Land Forces speaking to BFBS reporter James Hirst ahead of the general election on defence issues.

Book review with author Chris Woods, a former BBC Panorama producer whose new book is Sudden Justice, America’s Secret Drone Wars

How the US UK Joint Exercise in The States is helping to cement the special relationship.

Russia - The Big Question, should we be frightened of Putin?

Find out about the report on Britain's nuclear deterrent that no-body wants published.

In Syria, Is President Assad still using chlorine and cyanide in attacks against his own people?

And The Election - why no one wants to talk defence.

PRESENTER THIS WEEK: Kate Gerbeau

STUDIO GUESTS: BFBS defence analyst Christopher Lee,