Join left-right and center host Bob Shear for his new podcast, Shear Intelligence. The twice-monthly

podcast features thinkers and trendsetters in conversation with one of political journalism's leading voices.

Through the show's unique and sometimes surprising perspectives, you'll get up to speed

on the current issues shaping the Beltway and the world. Find sheer

intelligence on KCRW's iTunes page. From KCRW in Santa Monica and PRI, Public Radio International,

this is To the Point. Russia's withdrawal from Syria, is it real?

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

A daily look at the issues Americans care about most.

Vladimir Putin has ordered the main part of his military forces out of Syria, but the Pentagon

says the Russians aren't going away.

Long-range missiles and bombs are still falling, and Russia's airbase and naval station are

permanent fixtures. For the moment, Putin's surprise move has kept him out of the quagmire,

predicted by President Obama, but his long-range intentions are unclear. His air assaults did enough damage to emboldened President Assad to join talks in Geneva,

but are Syrians any closer to ending their savage civil war?

Today's talking point, the presidential debates,

and the boundaries of political discourse.

First, here's the news.

Check out KCRW's All News Channel News 24, programming from KCRW, NPR, NPR, the BBC, and more 24 hours a day.

Go to KCRW.com slash News 24, or you can listen on KCRW's app.

Support for To The Point comes from the members of KCRW and from the Public Radio International Program Fund.

Hello again, Warren Alney, back with To the Point. Vladimir Putin's surprise withdrawal of military forces from Syria appears to be less than he promised. We'll hear what's happening and not happening on the ground and how Putin's intentions are being interpreted from Washington to Moscow. Today's talking point, presidential debates appear to be over for the Republicans this year, although Democratic candidates will talk their way through two more. Beyond boosting the ratings for cable TV, what is the real purpose of these confrontations?

And do they achieve it? First, as news update, Michigan's Republican Governor Rick Snyder took a beating today on Capitol Hill

...