From PRI, Public Radio International and KCRW Santa Monica, this is To the Point.

A shaky start for the new way forward.

Hello again, I'm Orinnelly, and this is To the Point from Public Radio International,

the daily look at the issues, Americans care about most.

Another hanging has gone awry. The civilian death toll is higher than anyone thought, and Iraq's

government may not be on board. All this, as Secretary of State Rice visits Iraq's Arab neighbors,

trying to sell the president's plan for more troops to control sectarian violence and avoid total chaos.

On to the point, does America's war in Iraq make for tension between the Arab governments and their own people?

How worried are the regimes about the rising influence of Iran?

Will talks between Israel and the Palestinians make any difference?

On reporter's notebook letter on, California's cold spell and the price of oranges.

First, here's the news.

Support for To the Point comes from subscribers of KCRW Santa Monica and from the Public Radio

International Program Fund, whose contributors include the Ford Foundation and the John

D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

Hello again. Marloni, back with To the Point. As Condoleezza Rice tours the Middle East, Egypt says it supports President Bush's new way forward. Saudi Arabia is decidedly lukewarm.

On To the Point, we'll get a progress report on a delicate selling job. How worried are Arab governments about Iran's rising influence and about their own people?

On reporter's notebook, California's cold snap means oranges will be more expensive as soon as next week.

First, this news update, jury selection has begun in what could be one of America's juiciest political trials in decades.

Vice President Cheney is expected to be a key witness in defense of his former top aide,

Lewis Scooter Libby.

Josh Gerstein has been reporting the story for the New York Sun, and Josh, good to have you with us.

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