Across the globe, there are small pockets of land where citizens have chosen to "break away" from their mother countries and forge new communities, often to escape war or turmoil.

While many of these countries begin with noble intentions, they often end up in political limbo, unable to gain recognition as legitimate countries from the global community.

Since 2005, photographer Narayan Mahon has set out to document these unrecognized states, photographing five would-be nations that are attempting to separate themselves from such war-torn countries as Georgia, Azerbaijan, Cyprus, and Somalia.

Mahon tells the New York Times that, while he expected these breakaway nations to be filled with pride, patriotism, and determination, he actually found that many nations were still at the whim of their former homes, begging for recognition while being used as pawns in a larger, geopolitical game.

“It all just comes down to nationalism, and chauvinism, and the uglier parts of humanity,” he says. “That’s kind of sad, actually.”

Mahon's series, entitled "Lands in Limbo," show that sadness and disillusion front and center.