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

Politics in America and reality in Afghanistan.

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

a daily look at the issues Americans care about most. Admiral Mike Mullen, chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, indicated today that

commanders are likely to ask for another increase of troops in Afghanistan. But after eight

years, public support for the war is fading fast, and Democrats are suggesting that if the

president asks, they might have to say no. Republicans, backed by

militant neocons, insist, more force is the only way to win, but what would winning look like?

How long would it take? Will the White House have any options to seek common ground?

On the Porter's notebook later on, a judge says a federal settlement with a Wall Street bank

punishes the victims. 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-Ale,

back with To the Point. Despite fading support from the public in Congress, President Obama will

likely be asked for another increase in troops for Afghanistan. We'll look at some difficult

options on the battlefield and on Capitol Hill. On reporter's notebook, a federal judge rakes

Wall Street and federal regulators over the coals.

First, this news update. In Warren, Ohio today, President Obama signed the hoods of Chevroletes

coming off the assembly line and told cheering workers that reinventing General Motors has been

good for the economy. He also said new efficiency standards for vehicles are overdue.

For too long, our auto industries faced uncertain and conflicting fuel economy standards.

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