Elections are being held in Egypt for the first time in many years. The field of candidates is quite crowded and there is a high likelihood that a run-off election will be necessary sometime in June. But the election pits secularists against religious parties and the entire world will be watching to assess the outcome. Regardless of who wins or loses, the simple act of holding free elections is a major step away from the dictatorship the Egyptian people have suffered under for so many years.
The IAEA talks with Iran in Baghdad have apparently gone far better than expected. We don’t really know the details yet and there is always the chance that the talks will break down, but the tone of optimism is unmistakable. The stumbling block in the past has always been on the issue of IAEA access to the enriching facilities in Iran. The Iranians may only be playing for time, and the P5+1 are willing conspirators to a delay. But the embargo on Iran is clearly hurting the Iranian economy, so there is a reason to think that progress may be occurring.
The Economist has published a highly intriguing essay on the role of human beings in climate change. I recommend the essay for the way it changes the way one thinks about a problem.
World Politics News 
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