BREITBART.COM - Number of electoral democracies reaches 122 as freedom spreads: "The number of electoral democracies around the world rose from 119 to 122 this year, setting a new record as freedom made inroads in the Middle East and Africa, an independent monitoring group said. But in its annual report rating every nation in the world as 'free,' 'partly free' or 'not free,' Freedom House on Monday expressed concern about countries like the United States and France, where it saw 'looming problems' with electoral setups and immigrant integration."

Important progress, but some 3 big steps (Afghanistan, Iraq, Ukraine?), with some small backward nudges.