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Winner for Dec. 27: Trans-Afghanistan gas pipeline

The voting is closed.

This week's winner probes an idea that has been discussed for more than a decade, but appears now to be inching closer to fruition: constructing a gas pipeline from Central Asia across Afghanistan and Pakistan. After looking into this idea, we found that little had changed since the last time GlobalPost covered the topic.

Here's that article:

In Afghanistan, pipe dreams of peace

Bill Holstein suggests:

What must America do economically in response to the rise of China?

Has Japan really lost two entire decades of economic growth?

Why does China seem to support North Korea so strongly?
Build It And... suggests:

What's the deal with the gas pipeline that's supposed to be built from Turkmenistan through Afghanistan? I hear that it's finally going to be built. Is it really feasible, in a war zone? Will it be good for Afghanistan? For Turkmenistan?
Bernadette Scott suggests:

I am particularly interested in coverage of the continent of Africa. I am interested in the emergence of a thriving middle class, economic successes, the plight of women in Africa, as well as the connection between Africa and African Americans.
Ben Job suggests:

It appears that the EU recently confirmed plans to build huge offshore wind turbines in the North and Baltic sea. If so, where will they get the neodymium needed for the construction of the turbines? China currently mines the majority of the rare earth and is keeping it all for its own turbines, so there will very little for Europe. (The story was covered briefly in Private Eye in UK.)
Robert W. "Doc" Hall suggests:

I support the "Afghan pipeline" story. The pipeline was proposed in the 1990s, and maybe even earlier. None of the territory to be crossed is politically placid. It probably travels further through Pakistan than Afghanistan. A lot of money is involved, and the corruption here is legendary, fueling support for the Taliban and others who resent the "elites" benefitting from the pipeline.

I'm writing just from top-of-the head recollections of news articles on this subject. Well done, a piece or a series summarizing the issues and risks in this project would be tough, delving into the history and ethos of the region all along the pipeline that are beyond me, but it has the promise of uncovering many core issues driving or ending the incessant strife among the peoples affected.
Lee Bracy suggests:

I would like to suggest that we be informed of some of the smaller countries that we never hear of until there is a natural calamity or political uprising. This could be on a semi regular basis. Countries that come to mind are Gibraltar(Spain still wants to annex?), Andorra, Mongolia, Benin, Kiribati and so on.