Vladimir Putin is settling into a rich niche in the world economy. This week, the Russian president finds himself pen in hand, about to sign a deal to build a $2.5. billion oil pipeline to China. Only weeks before, he and Russian crude were a hot topic in Washington.(What's this oil pipeline to China? I thought we took Afghanistan for the main purpose of getting Caspian Sea reserves to market) As the U.S. looks for new and reliable energy supplies, Russia is finding new and reliable sources of income. The country sells five million barrels of crude and oil products...