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

The latest crisis is over. Who won? Who lost?

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

a daily look at the issues Americans care about most.

British Marines and sailors are back with their families as the rest of the world looks at the aftermath of a potentially dangerous episode.

Iran and the European Union already have resumed discussions on Iran's nuclear program.

But what about Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Tony Blair?

On to the point, was the prisoner release a gift from Iran or dramatic damage control? Despite Britain's denials, was there

a deal? We'll hear how perceptions differ from the Middle East to the Western world. On

reporter's notebook later on is money, the last word in presidential politics.

First, here's the news.

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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, Mormon, I'll be back with To the Point. The Marines and sailors are back home in England

as the rest of the world measures the winners and losers. On To the Point, the crisis is

personified by Tony Blair and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. We'll hear how perceptions about them differ

from the Middle East to the Western world.

On reporter's notebook between both parties, the presidential campaigns may top a billion dollars by November of next year.

Beyond the money, what will it take to win?

First, this news update in Damascus, Syria yesterday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said President Bashar Assad responded favorably to a message

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