Newsnight - 18/11/2010

Nine years after the ousting of the Taliban, security in Afghanistan - where it exists - is still predominantly down to Nato. The US has allegedly spent more than $25bn training and equipping Afghan army and police forces since 2001- but to little effect. Many troops have failed to meet required standards or have simply deserted. Now a new, expanded recruitment and training programme is underway and the US is ploughing in another $14bn in the hope of meeting the 2014 security target - when President Hamid Karzai believes that Afghan forces can take over security of the country. But is at all realistic? Diplomatic editor Mark Urban reports Plus there's an interview with the conservative congresswoman Michele Bachmann, heroine of the Tea Party movement and arch-rival of Sarah Palin. Also, as The Sun newspaper's Page 3 celebrates 40 years, we'll ask if it's offensive in this day and age or not. Presented by Emily Maitlis.