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

The Highway Trust Fund encounters congestion in Congress.

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

A daily look at the issues Americans care about most.

America's transportation system is falling apart. More than half, all roads, highways, and bridges

are obsolete or at high risk for catastrophe. The Society for Civil Engineers says the cost of

repair will be $3.6 trillion if money's available over the next five years. But the Highway Trust Fund

will run out on Friday, with Congress leaving for summer vacation after passing another

short-term fix. We'll look at the consequences of falling behind compared to what's possible

for the world's most advanced nation. Today's talking point, New York Times columnist Nicholas

Christoph describes the human faces of civil war in the world's newest nation, South Sudan.

Listen to KCRW's 24-hour all-news channel, stream BBC World Service, NPRW and KCRW programs, continuous coverage on our mobile app or online at kCRW.com.

Support for To the Point comes from the members of KCRW and from the Public Radio International

Program Fund. Hello again, Warren Alney, back with To the Point. With America's transportation

system on the verge of collapse, the Highway Trust Fund is about to run out of money, even if Congress passes a short-term fix, what are the consequences of falling behind for competition in the global economy?

Today's talking point in just four years, the triumphant creation of South Sudan has turned into tragedy. We'll talk

with the New York Times columnist New York, Nicholas Christoph, about human faces of civil war.

First is news update. Turkey called a rare emergency session of the NATO alliance today

as Turkey opens new offenses against both ISIS and Kurdish forces, which are mutually opposed.

James Jeffrey is former U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and Iraq.

He's currently a distinguished fellow at the Washington Institute.

Mr. Ambassador, welcome back to our program.

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