BFBS Sitrep

• Has the US just raised the risk of war in Europe?

  Donald Trump’s new National Security Strategy prioritises improving relations with Russia and China, while calling for resistance to “weak leaders” in Europe.Professor Michael Clarke explains why he thinks this will embolden Russia rather than giving it an incentive to de-escalate, and former US State Department insider Dr Karin von Hippel assesses what it could mean for the US military footprint in Europe.The head of the Royal Navy has warned we’re “only just holding on” against Russia deep in the Atlantic. Former submarine captain Ryan Ramsey explains why the service is struggling, while Sian Grzeszczyk Melbourne reveals how and why the First Sea Lord’s speech has caused big waves in Whitehall.And our sovereign bases in Cyprus have played a key role in almost every major British overseas operation in living memory. So why did the UK nearly abandon them 50 years ago?

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• Cyprus 1974 - when Britain nearly gave up its vital sovereign bases

  When a Greek military coup and Turkish invasion plunged Cyprus into a bloody conflict, more than 30,000 British military personnel and their dependents were caught up in the crisis.They didn’t want to be part of the fighting, but came perilously close to being dragged in, more than once.Kate Gerbeau talks to historian Andrew Southam about his new book, which sheds new light on those events and how they led the government of the time to consider our Cyprus bases “a liability”.

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• 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?

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• 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?

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• Protecting those who defend us

  Investigations into past actions by British forces, from Northern Ireland to Afghanistan, are damaging morale, leading some to quit the forces, and threatening our national security. So said 8 retired generals and a retired Air Marshal in an open letter calling on the government to “restore legal clarity” with a “new honest framework”Sitrep asks how do we can ensure servicemen and women have confidence they won’t be dragged through inquiries, or court, for doing their job properly?Kate and Mike talk to the Reverend Nicholas Mercer, who was Commander Legal for the 2003 invasion of Iraq, and former Army officer turned barrister Patrick Hennessey. They explain how legal decisions worked when they were in uniform and the need to balance protections with accountability when wrongdoing happens.

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