大象传媒

In a five part series for Outlook, the 大象传媒’s Tom Esslemont follows the spark of war that spread through the Caucasus republics as the Soviet Union collapsed. More than 20 years on, those conflicts remain unresolved.

Part One: Azerbaijan

Tom Esslemont opens the series in Azerbaijan.

In the capital, Baku, he meets Farman and Sahib, who were both injured in what has become known as Black January.

Approximately 130 people died in January 1990 when Soviet tanks rolled into the city with the aim of putting down a separatist insurrection and ending clashes between Armenians and Azeris.

Those tensions began in the disputed territory of Nagorno Karabakh, and spread to the city of Sumgait, where Tom starts his report.

First broadcast on 2 August 2010

Part Two: Nagorno Karabakh

Tom travels to Nagorno Karabakh, under ethnic Armenian control since the ceasefire of 1994.

He joins soldiers in the trenches looking out over Azerbaijan.

In the capital, Stepanakert, new facades cover the cracks of war. But local people tell him everyone has been marked by war, and it is impossible to imagine the return of the Azeris - or maybe only in a hundred years.

First broadcast on 3 August 2010

Part Three: South Ossetia

In the breakaway region of South Ossetia, Tom meets Grecia, who has been living in a tent since his home was destroyed in fighting two years ago, when Georgia tried to reimpose its authority on the region.

Tom sees the ruins of a Georgian village, where the only building left standing is the church. Routes to Georgia have been closed, and Tom took the only road into the territory - through the mountains from Russia.

First broadcast on 4 August 2010

Part Four: Georgia

In Georgia, around a quarter of a million people are still living far from their homes having had to flee in the conflicts of the early 1990s.

Many come from the breakaway region of Abkhazia. They were driven out in fierce fighting in 1993, and thousands fled through snow-covered mountain passes.

Tom hears the story of one woman caught up in those events, and discusses with her the part war plays in Georgian culture.

First broadcast on 5 August 2010

Part Five: Abkhazia

Tom Esslemont ends his journey in Abkhazia, a tiny territory sandwiched between the Black Sea and the Caucasus mountains. In the early 1990s, it declared itself independent from Georgia.

After fierce fighting, Georgian troops and most of the Georgian community were driven out. Tom discovers why Abkhazia has such a hold on its existing and former population.

He visits Stalin's holiday home, and a sanatorium for the Russian military. He also talks to some of the Georgians who still live in Abkhazia.

First broadcast on 6 August 2010