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

Al-Qaeda in Iraq and Maliki in Washington.

Hello again, I'm Armin Al-Ni, and this is To the Point from Public Radio International,

a daily look at the issues Americans care about most.

Iraq's Prime Minister Maliki is in Washington today asking for heavy weapons and intelligence aid to combat al-Qaeda's most violent faction. It's averaged 68 car bombings a month,

and many thousands have been killed this year, at open markets around the country. But Maliki's

regime is part of the problem.

He's favored Shiites and outraged Sunnis,

while bureaucratic incompetence cripples the economy.

Did the U.S. withdraw troops too soon?

As the Obama administration's pivot to Asia,

compromised U.S. influence in Iraq and the rest of the Middle East.

Today's talking point, street artist Banksy, ends his New York residency.

First, here's the news.

Listen to KCRW's 24-hour all-news channel.

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Continuous coverage and accessible via our smartphone app or online at KCRW.com. Hello again, Mormon Al-Ni, back with To the Point. When American troops

were withdrawn from Iraq, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said his elected government could maintain order.

Now, the country is being shattered by the worst violence in five years. As Maliki seeks aid today at the White House, we'll hear about a growing Al-Qaeda faction, the war next door in Syria, and Maliki's own failures as a political leader.

Today's talking point, street artist Banksy.

Is he an artistic genius, a marketing genius, or both? We'll hear about his month-long residency in New York City and the Banksy hunters who track down his work every day.

First is news update. There was a shooting this morning at the Los Angeles International Airport, one of America's

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