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 former Soviet railroad in southern Armenia.

While appearing improbable, this neglected section of railway in the Caucasus region has been selected to become a symbol of diplomatic peace by America's leader, referred to as the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity.

Scattered around are fragments of a head from a monument to a Soviet-era figure. A woman's sculpture is missing an arm.

"We stand upon the Trump route, alternatively called Crossroads of Peace, the Silk Road, and the Zangezur Corridor," says a local journalist. "But so far none of this appears Western."

Peace Negotiations

This constitutes one of the "unendable wars" the US president asserts to have successfully resolved, through an agreement between Armenia and its historical rival Azerbaijan.

The proposal outlines American corporations moving in under a century-long agreement to develop the 26-mile corridor through Armenia's sovereign land along its entire border with Iran, establishing a passageway linking Azerbaijan to its exclave of Nakhchivan.

A railway, motorway and pipelines are all promised and Trump has spoken of corporations investing "a lot of money, that will financially advantage all three of our nations".

On the ground, the scale of the challenge becomes apparent. This transport link must be constructed completely new, but diplomatic obstacles far outweigh economic issues.

Geopolitical Implications

The American involvement could reshape international relations of a region that Russia claims as its sphere of influence. Hardliners in Tehran are also worried and are threatening to halt the initiative.

This peace initiative is key to ending a conflict between the two neighboring nations that started over Nagorno-Karabakh, a part of Azerbaijan with historical Armenian presence.

During 2023, Azerbaijan recaptured the disputed region, and virtually the entire Armenian population were displaced. This was not the first such expulsion in these hostilities: in the 1990s over 500,000 Azerbaijanis became refugees.

Global Participants

American diplomatic efforts were enabled because of Moscow's diminished influence in this strategic region.

Over time, Russian authorities attempted towards restoring the passage 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 Armenia‑Iran border that was selected as the Trump route.

Armenia's Syunik region is also a key hub for its exports, and businessmen and trucks from Iran are a familiar sight. Persian engineering firms are building a new bridge that will intersect the future Tripp.

This border waterway that divides Iranian and Armenian territory represents the exact path the route is set follow.

It is unclear the manner in which American and Persian corporations can operate together in Armenia, considering American participation in the Israel‑Iran war.

International Collaboration

There is also increased European presence in southern Armenia.

French authorities initiated selling weapons to Armenian leadership and established a consulate in Syunik. An EU monitoring mission is deployed to the region, and the proposed corridor is seen by the EU as component of an alternative route connecting Europe to Central Asia and China and avoiding Russian territory.

Ankara shows interest to benefit from an opening created by waning Russian influence.

Turkish officials negotiate with Armenia to normalise relations and expressed endorsement for the peace initiative, which would establish immediate connectivity from Turkish territory to Azerbaijan through the separated region.

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 everything will be fine and that we can expect massive European investment, new roads and commercial relations involving Iran, America, Europe, Turkey and Azerbaijan," the journalist comments while expressing skepticism.

An official settlement 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 brought at least temporary relief to those who for years experienced anxiety of resumed hostilities.