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

Diplomacy and Promises of Democracy in the Middle East.

Hello again, I'm Orinolny, and this is To the Point from Public Radio International, a daily look at the issues Americans care about most.

The Arab Summit is reaching out to Israel, led by the regional powerhouse Saudi Arabia,

which has taken up where Egypt left off. In Egypt itself, voters have increased the powers of President

Mubarak, but the elections being criticized as a violation of his promise to increase democracy.

Pakistan's president Musharraf is another U.S. ally accused of stifling dissent to strengthen his own position.

On to the point, how great is the risk of extremist takeover in Egypt or Pakistan?

Is U.S. aid promoting democracy or propping up repressive regimes?

On reporter's notebook later on, the president threatens a veto.

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and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

Hello again, Mormon AllAulay, back

with To the Point. At the Arab Summit, Saudi Arabia, has taken the lead from Egypt in the effort

to make peace between Israel and the Palestinians. Meantime, two participants at the meeting,

Egypt's President Mubarak and Musharraf of Pakistan, are accused of reneging on promises of democracy.

On To the Point, is the U.S. supporting repressive leaders to pursue its own interests?

How great is the threat of extremist takeover in either Egypt or Pakistan?

On Reporters' Notebook, another showdown shaping up between President Bush and the Congress

...