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

Is it war by other means against Iran?

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

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

President Bush said flatly yesterday, there's no intention of invading Iran, but there's no doubt the U.S. is becoming more confrontational. Nuclear development is not the only issue.

There are Iran's alleged activities in Iraq and its support for Hamas and Hezbollah.

Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia reportedly

are increasingly alarmed. Even Israel now calls those countries helpful. On to the point,

what's the state of relations between Iran and Iraq? After their long and bloody war,

are Shiite rulers bringing them closer together? Will the proxy war between the U.S. and Iran turn

into the real thing? 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. Warman Alney back with To the Point. President Bush denies any intention of invading Iran,

but he's been warning about its activities in Iraq and the growing influence in the Middle East.

On To the Point, after years of enmity, what's the state of relations between Iran and Iraq?

With America's military buildup in the

Persian Gulf, could the proxy war with Iran turn into the real thing? First, this news update,

Army General David Petraeus is already the new commander of troops in Iraq. Today, senators

heard from Admiral William Fallon, who's nominated as commander of all forces in the Middle East,

Africa, and Afghanistan.

South Carolina Republican Lindsey Graham asked how Fallon feels about the president's increase of 21,500 troops in Iraq. I don't know how many troops are going to be necessary to affect the outcome that we

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