Great Pipeline Game Intensifies in C. Eurasia

A series of the latest gas and oil deals appear to indicate that the great pipeline game in Central Eurasia has reached its nadir. As Russian President Vladimir Putin traveled to China last month for talks with President Hu Jintao, Moscow came up with new pledges to raise oil and gas exports to China. However, earlier Russian promises to boost hydrocarbon supplies to Asia Pacific have tended to be slow to materialize.