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

Can Iraq hold itself together? The clock is ticking.

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

a daily look at the issues Americans care about most. In the aftermath of the U.S. occupation, Iraq's become a different country, with a

prospect of not surviving as a country at all. The Islamic State has eradicated the border with

Syria. Prime Minister Maliki looks like a Shiite version of Saddam Hussein. He's asking President

Obama for military assistance, which would put the U.S.

on the same side as Iran, Syria, and even Russia. Is intervention an option in a country

torn by internal politics, violent religious extremism, and the threat of terrorism?

Today's talking point, the case against tipping in restaurants and bars.

First, here's the news.

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

Stream BBC World Service, NPRW programs.

Continuous coverage and accessible via our smartphone app or online at kCRW.

Support for To The Point comes from the members of KCRW and from the Public Radio International Program Fund.

Hello again, Mormon, I'll need back with

To the Point. Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki wants U.S. help against the Islamic State

that's taken over part of his country, but Maliki's repressive style has divided his own people.

We'll look at America's limited options in a region where national boundaries are fading away

and religious extremism is on the rise.

Today's talking point tipping is good manners, and it helps servers and bartenders make ends

meat. Does it also encourage discrimination and poverty? First is news update.

...