Unexpected brain surgery has focused attention on the delicate balance of power in the US Senate.  Is the Democrat's one-vote margin in jeopardy?  We hear about politics and advancements in medical treatment. Plus, friction increases between rival factions after an assassination attempt on the Palestinian Prime Minister, and televised soccer unifies Iraq, if only for a single moment.

• Note: Today's edition of To the Point will not be heard on KCRW as it is pre-empted by special holiday programming.