To the Point

In the Middle East, Do Elections Mean Real Democracy?

For the first time in the history of Saudi Arabia, voters are going to the polls nationwide, but only men are allowed to go to the polls, and it's not clear what they're voting for. Elections have been held already in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Palestinian Territories, and Lebanon plans them in May. Condoleezza Rice says Islam is compatible with democracy, but is that what Middle Eastern voters are getting? Will the voting in Iraq and the Palestinian Territories bring real change or diminished expectations? What happens after the votes are counted? We discuss the impact of this blossoming "democracy" in Saudi Arabia, Iraq and the Middle East with journalists from BBC and Weekly Standard, and experts from the Royal Institute of International Affairs, University of Michigan and American Enterprise Institute. Making News: North Korea Suspends Nuclear Talks North Korea today admitted for the first time that it has developed nuclear weapons, and because the US has called it -an outpost of tyranny,- it is suspending participation in talks on its nuclear program. In Paris, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld resisted directly confirming knowledge of a Korean program. Joseph Cirincione is Director of the Non-Proliferation Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Reporter's Notebook: Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles to MarryIt has been officially announced that the prince will marry his long-time partner, but when Charles becomes King, Camilla Parker Bowles won't become Queen. Neither will she use the sensitive title of "Princess of Wales." Prime Minister Tony Blair has given his approval and Queen Elizabeth her consent. The palace has been monitoring public opinion almost since Princess Diana's death in a car crash in 1997. That's according to Stephen Bates in today's Guardian.