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

Can the U.S. hit the Islamic State where it really hurts?

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

The daily look at the issues Americans care about most. President Obama is looking at air strikes in Syria to slow the advance of the

ultra-extremist Islamic State a growing threat to America and its interests. But that could help

Syria's brutal dictator Bashar al-Assad stay in power by assisting him against his most effective enemy.

We'll hear about the risks of military action and a possible alternative, striking the real

source of the Islamic State's power, the modern financial system that keeps it armed and fed

and guarantees its continuity.

Today's talking point, the World Health Organization calls for a partial ban on e-cigarettes.

First, here's the news.

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

Stream BBC World Service, NPRW programs,uous coverage and accessible via our smartphone app or online at

KCRW.com.

Support for To the Point comes from the members of KCRW and from the Public Radio International

Program Fund.

Hello again, Warren Al-Neback with To the Point.

The Islamic State is a nightmare out of the Middle Ages,

but it uses ultra-modern military tactics and a financial structure that's made at the richest terrorist group in the world.

Should the U.S. target armed units and charismatic leaders

or bookkeepers and business agents and fixers.

Today's talking point with the number of non-smoking teenage users of e-cigarettes tripling in

...