There is new interest in Nabucco, a pipeline to bring gas from Central Asia and the Caspian to Europe via Turkey.

ECONOMIST: Energy in eastern Europe

Add to this a proposed pipeline to carry Turkmen gas to eastern China, and Central Asia could be fuelling China's economy soon.

ECONOMIST: China��s rebellious province | The

China recently completed a 1, 100-mile gas pipeline to connect its factories and power plants to the vast gas reserves of Central Asia, part of China's stiff competition with Europe over a key energy source.

WSJ: Thirst for Energy Drives Beijing's Global Push