August 2011, Batumi, Georgia: Oil tankers being transported from Caspian sea to Batumi by rail. Since 2006 the BTC has allowed Azerbaijan to export its oil to world markets through Georgia and Turkey, thus avoiding Russia. It has given Azerbaijan a greater sense of independence and a new role for Georgia in Europe's energy security to the annoyance of Russia. Some blame the BTC for Russia's continued covert involvement in regional latent conflicts especially the South Ossetian crisis which led to the Russia-Georgia war.
August 2011, Batumi, Georgia: Manager of a Casino with his staff in Batumi. Since 2006 the BTC has allowed Azerbaijan to export its oil to world markets through Georgia and Turkey, thus avoiding Russia. It has given Azerbaijan a greater sense of independence and a new role for Georgia in Europe's energy security to the annoyance of Russia. Some blame the BTC for Russia's continued covert involvement in regional latent conflicts especially the South Ossetian crisis which led to the Russia-Georgia war.
August 2011, Dortyol, Aqdam region, Azerbaijan - Young men in the refugee camp, believed to be getting trained to fight the armenians in Nagorno Karabakh. The Agdam region is on the border of the Nagorno Karabakh enclave, controlled by Armenia since 1994 and claimed by Azerbaijan. In spite of a cease fire brokered in 1994 skirmishes between Azeris and Armenians are an almost daily occurence.
