Field Observations of Trump's Regional Peace Corridor: FSB Patrols, Persian Vehicles and a Rusting Railway

An abandoned station, a few rusted carriages and limited stretches of railway constitute the only remnants of a Soviet railway in Armenia's southern region.

While appearing improbable, this neglected section of track in the South Caucasus has been designated to transform into an emblem of diplomatic peace by America's leader, known as the Tripp initiative for International Peace and Prosperity.

Dispersed throughout are fragments of a head from a memorial to a communist hero. A female statue is missing an arm.

"We are on the Trump route, alternatively called Peace Junction, the Silk Road, and the regional passageway," notes a local journalist. "However currently none of this looks American."

Peace Negotiations

This represents one of the "unendable wars" Trump claims to have brought to an end, through a diplomatic settlement between Armenia and its historical rival Azerbaijan.

The plan envisages US companies establishing presence under a century-long agreement to construct the 43km route through Armenia's sovereign land along the complete frontier with Iran, creating a passageway linking Azerbaijan to its exclave of Nakhchivan.

Rail transport, motorway and energy conduits have all been pledged and Trump has spoken of corporations investing "a lot of money, that will financially advantage the three participating countries".

At the site, the scale of the challenge is clear. This transport link must be constructed completely new, but diplomatic obstacles far outweigh economic issues.

International Consequences

Trump's intervention could reshape the geopolitics of an area that Russia claims as its regional domain. Conservative factions in Iran express concern and are threatening to halt the initiative.

This peace initiative is key to ending a conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan that originated from Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijani territory historically populated by.

During 2023, Azerbaijani forces regained the disputed region, and nearly all Armenian population fled their homes. This didn't represent the first such expulsion in these hostilities: in the 1990s over 500,000 Azerbaijanis became refugees.

Global Participants

US mediation became possible because of Moscow's diminished influence in this strategic region.

Over time, Russian authorities attempted towards re-opening the route that now bears US presidential designation.

Although Russia's proposal for Russian security forces to protect the planned route was declined, they still patrol the section of the Armenian-Iranian frontier that has been chosen for the Trump route.

Armenia's Syunik region is also an important center for its exports, and businessmen and trucks from Iran are a familiar sight. Iranian construction companies are constructing recent infrastructure that will intersect the planned corridor.

The Aras River that divides Iranian and Armenian territory is the very line the route is set follow.

It is unclear how the US and Iranian companies can operate together in Armenia, given recent US involvement in Middle Eastern conflicts.

Regional Cooperation Prospects

There is also growing Western involvement in Armenia's southern territories.

France has recently started selling weapons to Yerevan and has opened a consulate in Syunik. European Union observers is deployed to this area, and the proposed corridor is seen by the EU as part of a "middle corridor" linking it with Central Asia and China and bypassing Russia.

Turkey is also eager to benefit from opportunities arising from diminished Moscow presence.

Ankara is in talks with Armenia to establish diplomatic ties and has voiced support for Tripp, which would establish a direct link from Turkey to Azerbaijan through the separated region.

Armenia's government shows composure about multiple international stakes. It wants to become a "Crossroads of Peace" where every neighboring nation will co-operate.

"They say everything will be fine and that there will be massive European investment, new roads and trade with Iran, America, Europe, Turkey and Azerbaijan," Marut Vanyan says while expressing skepticism.

A formal peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia remains unsigned, but one thing is clear: since the Washington meeting, not a single shot has been fired on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border.

Trump's intervention has provided some immediate respite to residents who long have lived in fear of resumed hostilities.