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

Iraq and the Democrat.

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

a daily look at the issues. Americans care about most.

Even in the Republican

South, 64% tell pollsters they oppose the president's handling of the war in Iraq. With their

party now a majority, anti-war Democrats are demanding action to stop the so-called surge

of additional troops. But on Capitol Hill, leaders of both houses are backing away from the toughest proposals.

On To the Point, we'll hear how political risks and limitations of power have led to a lack of

consensus. We'll also hear about the new oil deal in Iraq itself. Will it unite that

divided country? On reporter's notebook later on, disappearing honeybees, a national mystery.

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. McArthur Foundation.

Hello again, Mormon. I'll be back with To the Point. When they left on vacation, a week ago,

Democrats said they'd be back with tough measures to discourage the president from increasing troops in Iraq.

On To the Point, why isn't that happening after all? In Iraq itself, will the new oil agreement unite a divided country?

On reporter's notebook, hundreds of millions of honeybees have turned up missing in 24 states from California to Pennsylvania.

We'll hear about an ecological mystery that threatens $14 billion worth of food crops.

First, this news update in Afghanistan today. A suicide bomber attacked America's

principal military base while Vice President Cheney was visiting. He was unhurt. At least 23 other people

...