it provides two-thirds of its exports, half of the federal government's revenues. the russian state has used these revenues to dole out patronage across the country. it is widely believed in the west that putin stays in power through repression. actually, he does so in larger measure through bribery. in the short run, putin will be able to win the march election and consolidate power through a mixture of repression and patronage. his problems are more long term. his government has ramped up revenues that it needs to get to $125 a barrel. it has a population which is aging and shrinking which means pension and health care costs will rise as people retire. labor productivity is abysmal. the region is almost turning into a separate couldn'ty, and the rethnic diversity is straining. like iran, like venezuela, all somewhat dysfunctional regimes, the russian regime will survive these challenges unless and until oil prices come down. for more, read my column in this week's "time" magazine. let's get started. >>> the violence in syria escalated this week. hundreds and hund