Status of the lattice and τ decay determinations of α_s

The two highest precision determinations of α s (M 2 Z ),that based on the analysis of short-distancesensitive lattice observables,and that based on an analysis of hadronic τ decay data,have,until very recently,given results which are not in good agreement.I review new versions of these analyses which bring the two determinations into excellent agreement,and discuss prospects for additional future improvements.