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

Can the outside world save Zimbabwe?

Hello again, I'm Orman Alney, and this is To the Point from Public Radio International, the daily look at the issues.

America's care about most.

The UN Security Council will debate Robert Mugabe's re-election after deadly violence and intimidation of his political opposition.

Mugabe is now in Egypt for a summit meeting of the African Union, which may or may not play a crucial role in restoring stability to his devastated country.

On to the point, is there any chance for political reconciliation?

Will the opposition try to set up a government in exile?

Can international intervention avert an extended bloodbath?

On reporter's notebook later on, the rhetoric heats up in the presidential campaign.

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 and the John D.

and Catherine T. MacArthur

Foundation. Hello again. Marvin Alney back with To the Point. The Western powers call Robert

Mugabe's election a sham, but the president of Zimbabwe is seeking legitimacy at today's summit

meeting of the African Union. On To the Point, we'll look at the prospects for outside

intervention and at the politics and economics of a devastated country.

On reporter's notebook with the approach of Independence Day, there is tough talk on the presidential

campaign trail about heroism, patriotism, and sacrifice. First, this news update. President

Bush today had rare praise for the Democratic-controlled Congress as he signed a $162 billion plan to continue operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

This bill shows the American people that even in an election year, Republicans and Democrats can come together to stand behind our troops and their families.

David Mark is senior editor at Politico.com.

...