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

The president has a strategy after all.

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

A daily look at the issues Americans care about most.

Wednesday, Mr. Obama will address the American people about a new offensive against the Islamic State, which has seized much of Iraq and Syria. Success may depend on alliances between strange bedfellows. In Iraq, bitter enemies, Shiite Iran, and Sunni-Saudi Arabia share common goals. So of the U.S. and Iran.

In Syria, the only credible force against the Islamic State may be the despised regime of Bashar al-Assad.

We'll hear what that could mean for diplomacy, ideology, and military reality in the Middle East.

Today's talking point, immigration reform, and political timing.

First, here's the news.

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Program Fund. Hello again. I'm Armin Alney, back with To the Point.

Many countries with different histories, ideologies, and strategic interests to view the Islamic

state as an existential threat. President Obama's promised offensive to degrade and ultimately

destroy it may bring ancient and current rivals together. We'll hear how long it might take and what the

consequences might be. Today's talking point, executive action on immigration reform is now on hold

until after the midterm elections. We'll hear how partisan reality has produced a broken promise.

First is news update. The outbreak of the Ebola virus in West Africa is now a high priority in the Obama White House.

Here's the president yesterday on NBC's Meet the Press.

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