Switching gears for a moment, here is a great article from Untimely Thoughts on the future of Russia and its questionable ability to survive.

Neither states nor borders are permanent. We have recently witnessed the break-up of the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia. The Spanish Empire, with a few exceptions, ended over a 100-year period. The colonial empires of Britain, France, the Netherlands and Portugal largely disappeared after World War II. Earlier in the 20th century, the Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman Empires disappeared (and created a huge power vacuum).

Hat-tip: Coming Anarchy (I am sure I have said this before, but if you missed it the first time: This is a must-read blog)