Russia is positively gigantic in the energy news today, dominating headlines as crises in Japan and Libya allow it to step forward as the country that has all the answers, or at least, all of the supplies.  Solidifying its image as a reliable provider, Gazprom has been supplying gas to Europe to make up for a lack of Libyan supplies, and it was reported today that Russia will double its oil exports to Japan this year (to reach a total of 18 million tons), as well as sending a 100,000 ton shipment of LNG, as the country struggles to meet additional demand.  And let’s not forget that, should Gaddafi remain in power, Russia will be the first country to benefit from its energy resources, reminding us today that it is ‘maintain[ing] diplomatic relations with the current Libyan authorities,‘ as calls for a ceasefire garner increasing global support and the stakes rise over the possibility of Gaddafi stepping down.