| Tuesday 29 June 2010 at 10.30pm on BBC Two Presented by Gavin Esler The man chosen by President Obama to lead the international forces in Afghanistan has warned of an escalation of violence there in the coming months. General David Petraeus has been appearing at a Senate hearing, to outline his strategy for tackling the Taliban, and handing more control of security to Afghan forces. Meanwhile David Cameron has indicated he wants British servicemen home from Afghanistan within five years. Labour's acting leader Harriet Harman yesterday warned against "artificial" timetables for withdrawing troops. Tonight we talk to the Defence Secretary Liam Fox, who's in Washington, to find out what the priorities should be for British troops in Afghanistan and ask just how feasible a withdrawal within the next five years might be. We will also have a special film from Lyse Doucet about life in Afghanistan's only women's prison. Badam Bagh is home to 147 women and children. We go inside, see the conditions and meet some of the inmates. But how many of them should be in prison? Even the prison director estimates only 50%. She says many are in there because of problems in the family or personal vendettas. Ian Watson has spent the day in Bradford, where David Cameron has been having an away day with the Cabinet - it's first meeting outside London. Ministers say they're creating a £1bn fund to help English regions. But they're axing nine Regional Development Agencies - set up by Labour to support local businesses. We'll be discussing what effect that will have. We'll also be talking about pensions. The BBC announced today a complete overhaul of its final salary scheme. The changes would dramatically reduce the pension benefits for many. Around five million people are contributing to public sector pension schemes around the country. We'll be asking whether the proposed changes at the BBC could be a blueprint the government could use as it tries to cut spending by reducing the cost of pensions for those on the public payroll. And two internet gurus - Clay Shirky and Alex Krotoski - will be debating whether the internet is a force for good. Do join Gavin at 10.30 tonight on BBC Two. |