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

Assessing North Korea and Saving Face in Iraq.

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

a daily look at the issues Americans care about most.

Despite doubts that North Korea really tested a nuclear weapon, even China says it ought to be punished just for trying. On To the Point, we'll hear from the UN, see how North

Korea's test compares to those of other nations, and ask about failures of diplomacy.

Also today, are stay the course and cut and run the only alternatives in Iraq.

What options might come from a bipartisan blue-ribbon panel after next month's elections?

On reporter's notebook later on, a journalist's death in Moscow and Vladimir Putin's war in Chechnya.

First, here's the news.

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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, Mormon-Aulney, back with To the Point. In the current election campaigns, Republicans

have limited the options in Iraq to stay the course as opposed to cut and run. Now, a Bush family

advisor says there might be another way. On To the Poet, we'll hear what alternatives might be

proposed by a bipartisan panel after the voting is over.

On reporter's notebook, the death of a journalist shines a spotlight on Moscow's war in Chechnya.

First is news update at the United Nations today. Even China says there must be some punitive action against North Korea for testing a nuclear weapon.

Here's America's ambassador,

John Bolton. I think there is a strong view to move as quickly as we can. And I think certainly

...