🔗 Share this article

An abandoned station, a few rusted carriages and a dozen metres of track constitute the only remnants of former Soviet railroad in Armenia's southern region.

It may seem unlikely, this neglected section of track in the South Caucasus has been designated to become a symbol of diplomatic peace by America's leader, referred to as the Trump Route for Global Stability and Economic Growth.

Dispersed throughout are remains of a statue from a memorial to a communist hero. A woman's sculpture has lost one limb.

"We are on the Trump route, also known as Peace Junction, the ancient trade route, and the Zangezur Corridor," says Marut Vanyan. "However currently nothing here looks American."

Peace Negotiations

This constitutes a longstanding conflict Trump claims to have successfully resolved, through a diplomatic settlement between Armenia and its long-time enemy Azerbaijan.

The plan envisages US companies moving in under a 99-year deal to develop the 26-mile corridor through Armenia's sovereign land along its entire border with Iran, establishing a passageway linking Azerbaijan to its separated territory of Nakhchivan.

Rail transport, motorway and pipelines are all promised and Trump has spoken of companies spending "a lot of money, that will financially advantage all three of our nations".

At the site, the scale of the challenge is clear. This transport link must be constructed completely new, but political hurdles far outweigh financial considerations.

Geopolitical Implications

Trump's intervention might transform international relations of a region that Moscow considers as its sphere of influence. Conservative factions in Iran express concern and are threatening to block the project.

The Tripp proposal plays a crucial role in resolving a conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan that originated from Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijani territory historically populated by.

During 2023, Azerbaijan recaptured the disputed region, and virtually the entire ethnic Armenians were displaced. This didn't represent the initial displacement in these hostilities: during the 1990s over 500,000 Azerbaijanis became refugees.

International Stakeholders

US mediation were enabled because of Russia's weakened position 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 guard the future road has been rejected, they still patrol the section of the Armenian-Iranian frontier that was selected as the Trump route.

Armenia's Syunik region is also a key hub for international trade, and businessmen and trucks from Iran are a familiar sight. Persian engineering firms are building recent infrastructure that will cross the planned corridor.

The Aras River that divides Iranian and Armenian territory represents the exact path the route is set follow.

Remains uncertain how the US and Iranian companies can operate together in Armenia, considering American participation in Middle Eastern conflicts.

Regional Cooperation Prospects

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

French authorities initiated selling weapons to Yerevan and has opened diplomatic representation in Syunik. An EU monitoring mission is deployed to this area, and the proposed corridor is seen by the EU as component of an alternative route linking it with Central Asia and China and bypassing Russia.

Ankara shows interest to benefit from an opening created by diminished Moscow presence.

Turkish officials negotiate with Yerevan to establish diplomatic ties and has voiced support for the peace initiative, which would establish a direct link from Turkey to Azerbaijan through its exclave.

Armenia's government appears calm about the various competing interests. It wants to become a "Crossroads of Peace" where all regional powers will co-operate.

"Officials claim conditions will improve and that there will be massive European investment, new roads and trade with Iran, America, Europe, Turkey and Azerbaijan," the journalist comments while expressing skepticism.

An official settlement between the two nations remains unsigned, but certain facts emerge: since the Washington meeting, no gunfire has been fired on their shared frontier.

Trump's intervention has brought some immediate respite to residents who long experienced anxiety of resumed hostilities.