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

Is the U.S. fighting a permanent war in Afghanistan?

Hello again, I'm Arunalini, and this is To the Point.

16 years after September 11th, the Trump administration is divided over America's

longest war. With 8,500 troops still in Afghanistan, the Pentagon wants 5,000 more. But the U.S.

couldn't get its way when there were 100,000. Advocates have continued U.S. involvement say it's all

about the Taliban getting strength strength and even more extreme groups

now involved in the country. Skeptics point to massive financial corruption and ask if there's

any plan for ending a conflict that's killed and wounded so many American soldiers for so long.

Later on today's talking point, America's most notorious nuclear power plant may be shutting down.

First, here's the news.

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Hello again, Mormon Alney, back with To the Point.

The Trump White House is divided over the Pentagon's request for more troops in Afghanistan, where the U.S. has been fighting for the past 16 years.

Is there a formula either for victory or a political settlement? Is there an end in sight

for America's longest war? Today's talking point, the nuclear plant at Pennsylvania's

three-mile island suffered a partial meltdown that closed one reactor in 1979, the worst accident

of its kind in American history. Now, the second reactor may be forced to shut down 15 years early.

We'll find out why.

First, this news update, President Trump returned from Europe to new reports about FBI investigations

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