Possible outcomes for Syria (click for full-size infographic)

by The Guardain

reuters:

America Offline

Reuters interactive showing which parts of the United States have limited broadband and are facing Post Office closures.

Interactive | Special Report: Towns go dark with Post Office closings

Shan Carter at the New York Times does a nice job turning Obama’s 2013 budget into an infographic

zeitvox:

New Great Game in Afghanistan

Today, Afghanistan’s natural resources are estimated to be worth billions of dollars. The resources in the neighboring Central Asian states are thought to be worth even more - the cake is huge and as yet largely untouched.

…The Chinese government has been conducting an offensive “shopping spree” in Afghanistan and other Central Asian states for some time now. To Washington’s displeasure, Beijing was able to secure the exploitation rights for the region’s biggest copper mine, by shelling out three billion dollars. Now, fully-laden trucks head from the mine in eastern Afghanistan to China on roads built by the Americans.  >continue<

Vast Mineral Riches  |  New Oil Deposits in Afghanistan

“We do the heavy lifting…they pick the fruit”