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

First it was immigration. Now it's energy.

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

A daily look at the issues, Americans care about most.

Today's Detroit News reports that after decades of opposition,

America's auto industry will endorse increased mileage standards for cars, trucks, and SUVs.

That's evidence of the political pressure generated by increased gasoline prices,

global warming, and instability in the Middle East.

But as debate begins on Capitol Hill, one columnist says you could drive a hummer through the gap between words and deeds.

On to the point, does comprehensive energy policy have a chance against a vast range of special interests and political partisanship?

On reporter's notebook later on, international violence, global security, and

American statecraft. 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, Mormon-Aldney, back with To the Point. After two decades of opposition,

America's automakers have bought in to a compromise on new mileage standards for cars, trucks, and SUVs.

On To the Point, gasoline prices, climate change, are creating political pressures, but can't a comprehensive energy bill survive special interests and extreme partisanship?

On reporter's notebook, in a time of increased violence in the Middle East, can American statecraft make a difference?

First, this news update.

Sixteen months ago, destruction of the Golden Dome of the Shiite Ascariaia shrine in Samara touched off sectarian violence

that is still causing bloodshed in Iraq. Today, two minarets of that same mosque were blown up,

and Lila Fidel is Baghdad Bureau Chief for McClatchie newspapers. Lela Fidel, good to have you back

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