Russia's financial inroads into Eastern Europe;

Call it the Great Game, round three. The first such contest, famously chronicled by Rudyard Kipling, involved the 19th century struggle for dominance between the British and Russian empires over access to India and its lucrative trading routes. The second centered on the post-Soviet scramble for resources and influence in energy-rich Central Asia. Today, a third such round of geopolitical competition is emerging in South Asia, spurred by the vast energy potential of the post-Soviet space and the uncertain political disposition of Afghanistan.

Last month, this competition took a giant step forward when Afghan President Hamid Karzai met with the presidents of Turkmenistan and Pakistan, as well as with India's oil and gas minister, in the Turkmen capital of Ashgabat. The meeting netted an agreement to begin construction of a new natural gas route known as the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India pipeline in two years' time.

Israel and Lebanon clash at the border; Arming the Saudis; Terror title shifts to South Asia; IMU leader Yuldashev dead

Iron Dome ready in November; Saudi legal reform takes a step forward; Iran's hand in Iraq highlighted by U.S. general; France "at war" with AQIM; Turkey gives boost to Azeri enclave

Back in the USSR;
Umarov: public enemy number one

Iraq seeks info on Iran nuke sites; Turkey beats back PKK, with U.S. help; AQAP tries its hand at western media, targets Yemen gov.; Tajikistan's lonely airbase

Number of female smokers, cancer patients skyrockets; Taiwan universities to accept mainland students for first time

China endures wave of attacks on schoolchildren; South Korea fingers north in ship sinking, irked China hosts Kim

Another step forward for Nabucco; North Korea arms bound for more than Iran?; Turkey deal on Iran sanctions -- breakthrough or delay tactic?; Turkmen leader endorses new party; Political gridlock in Baghdad

Kyrgyzstan erupts; Scuds to Hezbollah a game-changer; Georgia seizes HEU... again; Iran and UAE spar over Gulf islands