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

As the fighting in Lebanon enters its third week, questions as to whether this is a proxy war between allies of Israel and Hezbollah.

I'm Conan Nolan of KNBC TV 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.

From the start, the White House has said this is not our war, but is that true? There are reports that the U.S. recently supplied the Israeli military with laser-guided smart bombs.

And some have suggested Hezbollah represents a third division of the Iranian army.

How much of what is going on along the Israeli-Lebanese border represents a conflict between two other nations?

On reporter's notebook later on, once again, there are questions about an American champion at the Tour de France. This time it's too much testosterone. First, 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 Conan Nelden sitting in for Warren Allney, back with To the Point from PRI. In a moment,

the influence of the United States and its Middle Eastern enemy, Iran, in what is now taking place

between Israel and Lebanon. On reporter's notebook this morning the newly

crowned champion of the world's greatest bicycle race defended himself against

accusations that his victory in the Tour de France was somehow improper. Yes, the

test show he was producing a lot of testosterone but he says it was all done

naturally. First this news update though, British Prime Minister Tony Blair is in Washington, D.C.,

meeting with President George W. Bush to discuss the deteriorating Middle Eastern crisis.

This comes as the two are being pressured by even moderate Arab states to call for an immediate ceasefire,

something they have resolved to seek through a UN resolution.

Lane Green is the global agenda correspondent for the Economist magazine.

Mr. Green, let me ask you.

You saw the news conference this morning.

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