In Kazakhstan, the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) concluded in the capital Astana with just enough time for the Presidents of Russia and China to attend the G8 summit in Scotland.

During the meeting the SCO called for a withdrawal of American troops from two member states, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, and included representatives from Iran, Pakistan, India, and Mongolia who may join the anti-terrorist security group in the near future.

Also in Asia, the International Olympic Committee met in Singapore and selected London for the 2012 Olympics despite personal appearances from French President Jacques Chirac and Senator Hillary Clinton of New York on behalf of candidate cities Paris and New York City.

No celebration for Londoners though as bombs exploded throughout the city's famed mass transit in time for the G8 conference opening in distant Scotland. The G8 agenda focuses on Africa and a deal to wipe clean (USA $) billions of African debt in exchange for an open door policy on the continent.

The Great Games of the 21st Century are on and at stake now is not just central Asia but all of Asia and Africa as well with Europe unfortunately in the crosshairs.

©2005 Ben Calmes, Sinomania!