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Medvedev “not afraid of Cold War” after approving Georgian regions’ independence DEBKAfile Special Report August 26, 2008, 10:41 PM (GMT+02:00) Russian president Dimitry Medvedev The move sparked a sharp exchange between Washington andMoscow. President George W. Bush said it exacerbates tensions and complicates negotiations. The Russian president warned of “military responses” to the US missile shield in Europe. Signing the decrees confirming South Ossetian and Abkhazian independence, Russian president Dimitry Medvedev said Tuesday, Aug. 26, Russia is prepared to go any length to defend the enclaves. “We are not afraid of anything, including the prospect of a Cold War.” DEBKAfile's Moscow sources report the Kremlin is planning further sanctions against Georgia and its US-NATO backers, possibly in Eastern Europe.  More...

US aid warship will defy Russian control of Georgian port of Poti DEBKAfile Special Report August 26, 2008, 2:34 PM (GMT+02:00) Russian Black Sea missile cruiser Moskva The US embassy in Tbilisi said Tuesday, Aug. 26, that two warships will deliver aid to Georgia Wednesday through the Black Sea port of Poti, the day after Russian forces announced they would search all incoming cargoes. The first US aid warship docked at Batumi Saturday, to avoid friction with the Russian naval, infantry and armored forces which control Poti port. The Black Sea confrontation between Russia and the US-led NATO forces predicted by DEBKAfile last week is building up inexorably to a climax.  More... Cheney to visit Georgia, Iwo Jima sails for Middle East DEBKAfile Special Report August 25, 2008, 2:13 PM (GMT+02:00) US Vice President Dick Cheney to visit Tbilisi and Kiev The Georgian conflict over South Ossetia is spiraling into a contest between the US and Russia over control of the Black Sea region and the eastern Mediterranean. The US Vice President Dick Cheney will stop over in Georgia, the Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Italy during a trip starting Sept. 2. These steps were Washington’s response to a rapid volley of decisions in Moscow.  More... Barak flew to Egypt, heard Mubarak on new Gaza plan DEBKAfile Special Report August 26, 2008, 7:01 PM (GMT+02:00) The Israeli defense minister Ehud Barakwanted to hear about progress in Egypt's mediation for the release of the Israeli soldier kidnapped in 2006 by Hamas, when he met the president Hosni Mubarak Tuesday, Aug. 26. However, DEBKAfile reports that Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak preferred first to lay before his Israeli visitor the 11-point scheme he and Saudi king Abdullah have developed for theGaza Strip.  More... Russian Mediterranean warships placed under Black Sea Fleet command DEBKAfile Special Report August 25, 2008, 11:00 PM (GMT+02:00) Russian Navy chief Adm. Vladimir Vysotsky confers with Chief of Staff Gen. Nikolay Makarov The Russian Navy chief, Adm. Vladimir Vysotsky announced Sunday, Aug. 24, that its warships in the Mediterranean region have been placed under the command of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet. DEBKAfile’s military sources report extreme concern in Israel’s military and navy.  More... Explosion severs Azerbaijan-Georgia-Europe fuel railway link DEBKAfile Special Report August 24, 2008, 11:20 PM (GMT+02:00) Fuel train on fire near Gori The train hit a mine Sunday, Aug. 24 at the village of Skra, 5 km west of Gori, on the main track of the railway line linking Eastern and Western Georgia – a vital trade route for oil exports from Azerbaijan to European markets. Azerbaijan restored its oil consignments via Georgia only two days ago.  More...