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

Barack Obama, the Middle East, and Iran.

Hello again, I'm Orman Al-Nan. This is To the Point from Public Radio International.

A daily look at the issues, Americans care about most. Israel and Hamas have rebuffed peace

overtures and the fighting in Gaza goes on, with President-elect Barack Obama in the midst

of choosing his foreign policy team. Israel says Iran is behind Hamas's rocket fire, and Obama

today called Iran a genuine threat to America's national security. He also repeated his campaign

pledge to rely on diplomacy in the region. Today we'll hear about his most likely advisors. Will

they open up to Arab and Muslim interests or continue the tough pro-Israel line of the Bush

administration? On reporter's notebook later on, the impeachment of Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich. 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. MacArthur

Foundation, and the Skoll Foundation, supporting social entrepreneurs around the world, uncommon heroes

dedicated to the common good. Learn more at Skoll.org. Hello again, Warren Alney, back with To the Point.

As the fighting continues in Gaza, Barack Obama is choosing a team to deal with the Middle East,

including Iran. Today, he repeated his campaign pledge to rely on diplomacy. Will that mean a new

approach to Arabs and Muslims? Or are his likely advisors committed to Israeli interests above all?

On reporter's notebook, we'll hear what's next for Governor Rod Blagojevich, who has been impeached

for abusing his powers. First, this what's next for Governor Rod Blagojevich, who has been impeached for

abusing his powers. First, this news update. The government reported today that 2.6 million

Americans lost their jobs during 2008. That's more than in any single year since World War

2. Unemployments at 7.2%. President-elect Obama says that is further evidence of how much the nation needs

his stimulus program.

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