🔗 Share this article Field Observations of the US President's Regional Peace Corridor: FSB Patrols, Persian Vehicles and a Rusting Railway The planned international corridor is planned to be built on the ruins of former Soviet railway infrastructure A deserted terminal, a few rusted carriages and a dozen metres of track are all that remains of former Soviet railroad in southern Armenia. It may seem unlikely, this neglected section of railway in the Caucasus region has been selected to become a symbol of peace brokered by the US president, known as the Trump Route for Global Stability and Economic Growth. Dispersed throughout are remains of a statue from a memorial to a Soviet-era figure. A woman's sculpture has lost one limb. "We stand upon this proposed corridor, also known as Peace Junction, the Silk Road, and the Zangezur Corridor," says a local journalist. "But so far nothing here looks American." Regional Conflict Resolution This constitutes a longstanding conflict Trump claims to have brought to an end, through a diplomatic settlement between Armenia and its historical rival Azerbaijan. The plan envisages American corporations moving in under a century-long agreement to develop the 43km route through Armenian territory along its entire border with Iran, establishing a corridor linking Azerbaijan to its separated territory of Nakhchivan. A railway, motorway and energy conduits are all promised and Trump has spoken of companies spending "a lot of money, which will economically benefit the three participating countries". On the ground, the scale of the challenge is clear. This connectivity project will have to be built completely new, but diplomatic obstacles significantly exceed financial considerations. Geopolitical Implications The American involvement might transform international relations of an area that Moscow considers as its regional domain. Hardliners in Tehran are also worried and are threatening to halt the initiative. The Tripp proposal plays a crucial role in resolving longstanding tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan that originated from Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijani territory with historical Armenian presence. During 2023, Azerbaijani forces regained the contested area, and nearly all Armenian population fled their homes. This was not the first such expulsion in these hostilities: in the 1990s half a million Azerbaijani citizens became refugees. Marut Vanyan stands near the border waterway that divides Armenian and Iranian territory International Stakeholders American diplomatic efforts were enabled because of Moscow's diminished influence in this strategic region. Over time, Russian authorities attempted towards re-opening the route that now bears an American president's name. Although Russia's proposal for its FSB border troops to guard the future road was declined, Russian units continue monitoring the section of the Armenian-Iranian frontier that has been chosen for the peace corridor. The southern Armenian province represents an important center for international trade, and commercial vehicles and traders from Iran commonly appear. Iranian construction companies are constructing recent infrastructure that will cross the planned corridor. The Aras River that separates the Islamic Republic and Armenia represents the exact path the corridor will traverse. It is unclear how the US and Iranian companies will co-exist in Armenia, given recent US involvement in the Israel‑Iran war. International Collaboration Authorities anticipate new investment in areas abandoned for three decades There is also increased European presence in southern Armenia. France has recently started selling weapons to Armenian leadership and has opened diplomatic representation in Syunik. European Union observers operates within the region, and the future Trump route is seen by the EU as part of a "middle corridor" linking it with Central Asia and China and avoiding Russian territory. Turkey is also eager to benefit from an opening created by waning Russian influence. Ankara is in talks with Yerevan to normalise relations and has voiced support for the peace initiative, which would create a direct link from Turkey to Azerbaijan through its exclave. Armenia's government shows composure about the various competing interests. Authorities aspire for a "Crossroads of Peace" where all regional powers can collaborate. "They say conditions will improve and that there will be massive European investment, new roads and commercial relations involving Iran, America, Europe, Turkey and Azerbaijan," the journalist comments 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. The presidential involvement has provided some immediate respite to those who for years have lived in fear of renewed fighting.