Is Bahrain’s government committed to reform?

One year ago, inspired by the revolutions in Egypt and Tunisia, Bahrainis took to the streets calling for greater political rights. Hundreds camped on Pearl Roundabout in Manama, which became the symbol of the movement in Bahrain. The Bahraini authorities came down hard on the protesters: Many were detained, some were tortured and others were given long prison sentences.

This week, Sir David Frost speaks to Cherif Bassiouni, the chairman on the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry. He explores whether the government of Bahrain has taken on issues highlighted in his report published a year ago. Is the country’s human rights record improving? Is the Bahraini government genuinely committed to reform?

Jerry Springer, the US television personality, will be analysing Republican frontrunner Mitt Romney’s chances of winning his party’s candidacy and taking on Barack Obama, the US president.

Springer will shed some light on the race for the White House following Romney’s narrow victory in Ohio on Super Tuesday – a key day in the Republican campaign race.

Could the US be facing a brokered convention come August?

Sir David Frost speaks to Ivo Josipovic, the president of Croatia, about why Croatia and other Balkan states are determined to join the EU. With the euro in crisis why are some countries still pushing hard to join the EU?

Christina Ricci, an actress best known for her roles as Wednesday in the Addam’s family, speaks about her new role in a film adaptation of Guy de Maupassant’s Bel Ami, and how she’s flying high on the success of the popular Pan Am series.

And, lastly, Sir David will be turning to cybercrime and digital espionage – how safe is the online world? Joel Brenner, a former senior counsel at the National Security Agency, and the author of America the Vulnerable, debates the growing threat of digital espionage, cybercrime and warfare with Peter Sommer, an expert in cybercrime, and previous Visiting Professor of the London School of Economics.