It's no surprise that the global recovery is facing a new round of setbacks, as the IMF reported in a new report issued today. But after high food prices, slow growth, and heavy debt, there's another potential force emerging that could block the global recovery.

This one starts with metal. Too much, as it's turning out. China's property market is showing signs of rusting. Home buys in major cities are slowing down. Construction outside the megatrapolises has infamously produced dozens of "ghost" towns that are actually more like stillborn cities, because they were designed for residents that never materialized (images and commentary via Gus Lubin at Business Insider):