On the Ground of Trump's Regional Peace Corridor: FSB Patrols, Iranian Trucks and a Rusting Railway

An abandoned station, a few rusted carriages and a dozen metres of track are all that remains of former Soviet railroad in Armenia's southern region.

It may seem unlikely, this neglected section of railway in the Caucasus region has been selected to become a symbol of diplomatic peace by the US president, referred to as the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity.

Dispersed throughout are remains of a statue from a monument to a Soviet-era figure. A female statue has lost one limb.

"We are on the Trump route, also known as Crossroads of Peace, the Silk Road, and the regional passageway," says Marut Vanyan. "However currently none of this looks American."

Peace Negotiations

This constitutes one of the "unendable wars" the US president asserts to have brought to an end, through an agreement between the Armenian government and its long-time enemy Azerbaijan.

The proposal outlines American corporations moving in under a 99-year deal to develop the 26-mile corridor through Armenian territory along its entire border with Iran, establishing a passageway linking Azerbaijan to its separated territory of Nakhchivan.

A railway, highway and pipelines have all been pledged and the president has mentioned of companies spending "significant funds, which will economically benefit the three participating countries".

On the ground, the magnitude of the undertaking is clear. This connectivity project will have to be built from scratch, but diplomatic obstacles far outweigh economic issues.

International Consequences

The American involvement could reshape the geopolitics of an area that Moscow considers as its regional domain. Hardliners in Tehran express concern and are threatening to halt the initiative.

This peace initiative plays a crucial role in resolving a conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan that started over Nagorno-Karabakh, a part of Azerbaijan historically populated by.

During 2023, Azerbaijani forces regained the contested area, and virtually the entire Armenian population fled their homes. This was not the first such expulsion in this conflict: in the 1990s over 500,000 Azerbaijanis were displaced.

Global Participants

American diplomatic efforts were enabled because of Moscow's diminished influence in the South Caucasus.

Over time, Russian authorities attempted towards restoring the passage that now bears an American president's name.

Despite Moscow's suggestion for Russian security forces to guard the future road has been rejected, they still patrol the stretch of the Armenia‑Iran border that was selected as the peace corridor.

The southern Armenian province is also a key hub for its exports, and commercial vehicles and traders from Iran are a familiar sight. Iranian construction companies are constructing a new bridge that will intersect the future Tripp.

The Aras River that separates the Islamic Republic and Armenia is the very line the corridor will traverse.

Remains uncertain how the US and Iranian companies can operate together in Armenia, given recent US involvement in the Israel‑Iran war.

Regional Cooperation Prospects

Additionally exists increased European presence in southern Armenia.

French authorities initiated selling weapons to Armenian leadership and established diplomatic representation in Syunik. European Union observers operates within this area, and the proposed corridor European officials view as component of an alternative route linking it with Asian markets and avoiding Russian territory.

Ankara shows interest to capitalize on an opening created by waning Russian influence.

Turkish officials negotiate with Armenia to establish diplomatic ties and has voiced support for Tripp, which would establish immediate connectivity from Turkey to Azerbaijan through its exclave.

Armenia's government appears calm about the various competing interests. Authorities aspire for a "Crossroads of Peace" where every neighboring nation can collaborate.

"They say everything will be fine and that we can expect massive European investment, new roads and trade with Iran, America, Europe, Turkey and Azerbaijan," the journalist comments with an incredulous smile.

A formal peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia has not yet been signed, but certain facts emerge: following the American summit, not a single shot has been fired on their shared frontier.

The presidential involvement has provided some immediate respite to residents who long experienced anxiety of renewed fighting.