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Kanaal • 11 programma’s

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Nieuwscommentaar

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Persoonlijke dagboeken

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Geschiedenis

Geschiedenis

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Geschiedenis

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American football

American football

Bijgewerkt 11-05-2021
Carrières

Carrières

Bijgewerkt 10-06-2024

20 UUR GELEDEN · BONUS

Sitrep live from the Munich Security Conference

The Prime Minister chose a stage in front of dozens of fellow world leaders to announce he’s sending HMS Prince of Wales to lead a carrier strike group to the arctic. But why? The US changed it’s tone towards Europe, but not it’s criticisms, after last year’s bombshell speech by J.D. Vance. And President Zelensky told the world that Ukraine will only accept a “real” peace. Simon Newton and Professor Michael Clarke explain what we’ve learned, and what if anything has been achieved, at this key event for Defence. They break down the key moments, and what they mean, with the help of Lt. Gen (retd) Ben Hodges, former Commanding General US Army Europe, and Oana Lungescu who spent 13 years at the heart of NATO.

20 uur geleden · Bonus

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1u 6m
5 FEB

Russia turns the screws on freezing Ukrainians

Despite temperatures below -20C attacks are targeting not just electricity and gas infrastructure in Ukraine, but heating plants which supply thousands of homes at a time. Is there any military logic or justification? Colin Freeman updates us from the city of Kharkiv, and Simon Newton explains how the extreme cold affects everything from drone batteries to the targeting of artillery shells. As the final nuclear-arms-control treaty between Russia and the US expires, Professor Michael Clarke explains why Britain’s nuclear deterrent has just become more important. And after a doubling of drone-sightings near UK military bases will new powers for the Armed Forces to shoot them down be the solution, or is that too low-tech?

5 feb

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47 min
29 JAN

Could UK troops defend Greenland and does it even need defending?

Much buzz about a possible NATO Arctic Sentry operation helped calm Donald Trump’s talk of taking over Greenland, and the UK is one of the big backers. But do we have enough troops properly trained to operate in some of the world’s harshest conditions Ex-Royal Marine Tip Cullen shares the hard realities, including freezing eyeballs, while former Infantry officer Ed Arnold assesses whether it would be a worthwhile use of troops. As a project leader is sacked, and the Defence Secretary says it’s nearly “back or scrap” time for the Ajax armoured vehicle programme, former tank commander Hamish de Bretton-Gordon gives his verdict from a test drive. And Professor Michael Clarke has read the new US Defense Strategy so you don’t have to. Spoiler alert – it namechecks President Trump more than fifty times, but says nothing about troop numbers.

29 jan

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47 min
3 DGN GELEDEN

NATO’s big military shake-up explained

A reshuffle of who-commands-what in NATO puts a British General in charge of the only NATO operation on US soil, while an American will take over at Maritime Command in the UK. Tim Henry explains all about the UK’s new command in Norfolk, Virginia, from his time as Deputy Commander there, and former senior NATO official Jamie Shea explains the wider moves to put Europeans in charge of joint operations while the US leads all force components. The Chief of Defence Staff says he wants NATO postings to improve promotion prospects rather than hamper them, but what needs to change? And as the CIA shutters its publicly available “World Factbook” Mike tells us why he thinks it’s a big loss.

3 dgn geleden

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51 min
22 JAN

Why UK defence is “uniquely vulnerable” to US threats

Donald Trump crossed a line by threatening economic warfare against the UK and other allies. He may have backed down, for now, but former Defence Secretary Sir Ben Wallace says we should be preparing for the potential of the US turning its back on NATO. From nuclear missiles, to fighter jets and spare parts Professor Michael Clarke and Matthew Savill, a former policy chief in the MoD, explain our Armed Forces’ dependence on the US and how it could be de-risked. It also raises yet more questions about US commitment to back any Ukraine peace plan. Sitrep shares the latest from the battlefield, and hears from Ukrainian soldiers buying kit from a new Amazon-style online store, with incentive programmes to shape and monitor how they fight.

22 jan

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43 min
15 JAN

Reality bites for the future of the Armed Forces

The Chief of Defence Staff refuses to say cuts are coming, but has confirmed there isn’t enough money for everything they want to do to make the Armed Forces war-ready and transformed for a high-tech future. Professor Michael Clarke and former RAF Deputy Director of Operations Greg Bagwell explain the “hard choices” once again facing defence, with the vital Defence Investment Plan still not ready. We’ve also learned that there isn’t a national defence plan for the event of war, but one is being worked on. Sian Grzeszczyk Melbourne explains why new rules making it easier to call up veterans are a key part of that. And Alex Baker MP tells Kate Gerbeau why she’s lobbying for a new Defence Investment and Resilience bank, and how she thinks it could ease the money worries.

15 jan

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53 min
15 JAN · BONUS

EXTRA – Mindful Soldier, how combat offers resilience lessons for us all

In his 22 year army career Ash Alexander-Cooper was shot multiple times, targeted by a suicide bomber, and caught in numerous explosions. But he has taken those traumatic moments, learnt from them, and now uses those experiences to help others with leadership and resilience. Now he’s teamed up with leading neuropsychologist Dr Jessica Miller for a new book, “Mindful Soldier”, which tells the stories of Ash’s experiences and explains the science of how our brains manage such extreme moments. They tell Kate Gerbeau how we can all use techniques, from squaddie humour to “helicopter view”, to adapt and thrive when we face life’s challenges. (Author profits from Mindful Soldier will support the Royal British Veterans Enterprise charity, and the Gurkha Welfare Trust. It is available from their stores at https://rbveshop.org/products/mindful-soldier-ash-alexander-cooper and https://www.gwt.org.uk/ )

15 jan · Bonus

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24 min
27-11-2025

Will the Army ever be able to use Ajax?

Just two weeks after being declared safe, with a squadron ready to go, a “Do Not Use” order has been issued for Ajax armoured vehicles, because of more noise and vibration injuries. James Wharton from BFBS Forces News, who used to drive the vehicles Ajax is supposed to replace, reveals the levels of concern among troops and Professor Michael Clarke explains why this is looking like a huge problem for the Army. The MoD says rules of engagement have been updated after the Russian spy-ship Yantar aimed a laser at an RAF plane. From playground-games to bumper-cars, retired Commodore Steve Prest explains the options they may have taken. And can a digital-first hybrid-navy make up for gaps in the surface fleet, amid new signs of delays to the UK’s next-generation frigate?

27-11-2025

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45 min
04-12-2025

How can ‘toxic leadership’ be stopped?

The Royal Navy is “vulnerable to promoting toxic leaders”. This is not a warning from a pressure group, or a critical MPs report, it has come from the new First Sea Lord. Former Royal Navy Commander Tom Sharpe shares personal experiences to explain why and how leadership assessment could be overhauled, and how he thinks it can learn from civilian organisations. Germany is spending big on defence and doing it quickly, while the UK’s transformation is much slower but has much more strategic thinking. Could we combine our strengths to overcome our weaknesses? And the Royal Navy’s biggest deployment for decades has concluded. After more than 7 months and 40,000 miles, has the 2025 carrier strike group shown British strength or exposed fragility?

04-12-2025

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41 min
28-12-2025 · BONUS

The World in 2026 – China rising and Asia tensions

China is the world’s fastest growing military power and likes to keep the world guessing. Might it use that military power against Taiwan in 2026, or will this standoff remain the dog that doesn’t bark? Will the crisis between Japan and China remain a diplomatic one, or could harsh words become hard action? And might tensions in the South China Sea boil over? Dr Zeno Leoni, author of “Grand Strategy and The Rise of China” and a lecturer at the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom, shares his thoughts on what lies ahead.

28-12-2025 · Bonus

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14 min

Looking for British military related content? We’re the experts. BFBS has been serving the British armed forces with audio content since 1943. Our podcasts tell incredible stories about military life, whether on or off the battlefield. We connect the British armed forces community wherever they are in the world, while keeping everyone up to date about defence.

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