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

Our hearts and minds being one or lost in Afghanistan.

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

a daily look of the issues Americans care about most.

General Stanley McChrystal says success against the Taliban depends on support from the Afghan people.

But public opinion is fast turning sour.

Reports of election fraud could sap all confidence in President Ahmed Karzai,

and if he wins, political opponents might turn to violence.

If more U.S. troops are needed contractors for non-combat roles could reduce the number.

But contractors guarding the U.S. Embassy are accused of misbehavior, Afghans find shocking.

We'll hear more today, as questions remain about President Obama's ultimate objectives.

On reporter's notebook later on, a new look at the history of piracy. 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, the John D. and Catherine

T. McArthur Foundation, and the Rockefeller Foundation and its campaign

for American workers. More at rockfound.org. Hello again, Warren Alney, back with To the Point. The latest

U.S. strategy against the Taliban calls for winning the hearts and minds of the Afghan people.

But complaints of election fraud threaten the credibility of President Ahmed Karzai and contractors

guarding the U.S. embassy have shocked Afghan sensibilities.

Will update developments as support in the U.S. is on the decline for what's called Barack Obama's war.

On reporter's notebook, do some pirates really believe in a higher cause?

First, this news update. The Obama administration today announced the largest fine ever

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