Finally, it is asked: "New Cold War?"

I've been saying for several years now that a new Cold War exists, if not between the U.S. and Russia, then between Russia and its neighbor states.

Quoting the BBC:

"The Russian military operation against Georgia and its recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia have led to concerns amounting at times to near panic about whether a new Cold War is under way."

Furthermore:

"The Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has said that he does not want a new Cold War but is not afraid of one either."

While it's clear that Putin is still in charge, even as he boosted Russian nationalism and asserted some regained military might, Putin never so directly acknowledged the increased tensions as has Medvedyev.

Link: Testing for a new 'Cold War' in Crimea