In November 2003, the small Caucasus nation of Georgia made headlines around the world, as tens of thousands took to the streets to demand a new government and a new direction. The "Rose Revolution" brought high hopes for democracy, economic opportunity and a decisive tilt westward towards Europe and the United States.

Today, Georgia is still navigating a difficult course between East and West, as its war with neighboring Russia in August proved. VOA Correspondent Sonja Pace was recently in Georgia visiting cities, villages and areas once in the frontline of the fighting. She talked with those directly affected by the war and those fortunate enough to have been away from the shooting and shelling.