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

War in the Horn of Africa. What does the conflict there mean for the region and the world?

I'm Sarah Terry sitting in for Warren Allney, and this is To the Point from Public Radio International,

a daily look at the issues Americans care about most.

Fighting continues in Somalia after Ethiopian troops attacked Islamist forces there.

Ethiopia wants to see the secular transitional government of Somalia back in power.

But there are old rivalries in the region.

Will this conflict spread? Do Islamic

fundamentalists pose a real threat in eastern Africa? Our humanitarian agencies able to cope with the

number of refugees fleeing yet another war? On reporter's notebook, the intriguing life of one of the

first African-American missionaries to Africa and his political shift from left

to right. 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. MacArthur Foundation. I'm Sarah Terry, sitting in for Warren

Alney, back with To the Point from PRI. We'll be talking about the fighting between Ethiopia and Somalia

and what the implications are for both the region and the West. What's behind the rise to power

of Islamic clerics in Somalia? How does the conflict pose a threat to regional stability? How is the West responding?

On reporter's notebook, Max Juergen, a look at the influential life of an African-American activist and his political journey from liberal to conservative.

First, this news update. Gerald R. Ford, the 38th president of the United States, passed away last night.

President Bush hailed the man who came to power briefly during the turmoil of Watergate

as a gentleman who reflected the best in American character. Here to talk about President Ford

is Ron Nesson, who served as his press secretary. Prior to joining the Ford administration,

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