On the Ground of the US President's Regional Peace Corridor: FSB Patrols, Iranian Trucks and Decaying Soviet Infrastructure

An abandoned station, several corroded railcars 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, known as the Tripp initiative for International Peace and Prosperity.

Scattered around are remains of a statue from a memorial to a Soviet-era figure. A woman's sculpture is missing an arm.

"We are on the Trump route, alternatively called Peace Junction, the ancient trade route, and the Zangezur Corridor," says a local journalist. "But so far nothing here looks American."

Regional Conflict Resolution

This represents a longstanding conflict the US president asserts to have successfully resolved, through a diplomatic settlement between Armenia and its long-time enemy Azerbaijan.

The plan envisages American corporations moving in under a century-long agreement to construct the 43km route through Armenian territory along the complete frontier with Iran, establishing a passageway linking Azerbaijan to its exclave of Nakhchivan.

A railway, motorway and pipelines have all been pledged and the president has mentioned of companies spending "significant funds, that will financially advantage all three of our nations".

On the ground, the magnitude of the undertaking becomes apparent. This connectivity project will have to be built completely new, but political hurdles significantly exceed economic issues.

Geopolitical Implications

The American involvement might transform international relations of an area that Russia claims as its sphere of influence. Conservative factions in Iran express concern and have warned to block the project.

The Tripp proposal plays a crucial role in resolving longstanding tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan that started over Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijani territory with historical Armenian presence.

During 2023, Azerbaijan recaptured the disputed region, and virtually the entire Armenian population fled their homes. This was not the initial displacement in these hostilities: during the 1990s over 500,000 Azerbaijanis were displaced.

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US mediation became possible because of Russia's weakened position in the South Caucasus.

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

Despite Moscow's suggestion for its FSB border troops to protect the planned route has been rejected, they still patrol the stretch of the Armenian-Iranian frontier that has been chosen for the peace corridor.

Armenia's Syunik region represents a key hub for international trade, and businessmen and trucks from Iran commonly appear. Persian engineering firms are constructing a new bridge that will intersect the future Tripp.

This border waterway that separates the Islamic Republic and Armenia is the very line the route is set follow.

It is unclear how the US and Iranian companies will co-exist in Armenia, considering American participation in the Israel‑Iran war.

Regional Cooperation Prospects

There is also increased European presence in southern Armenia.

France has recently started military equipment transfers to Armenian leadership and established diplomatic representation in Syunik. European Union observers operates within 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.

Turkey is also eager to benefit from an opening created by diminished Moscow presence.

Ankara is in talks with Yerevan to normalise relations and expressed endorsement for the peace initiative, which would establish a direct link from Turkish territory to Azerbaijan through its exclave.

Yerevan's administration shows composure about the various competing interests. It wants to become a "International Peace Junction" where all regional powers will co-operate.

"They say everything will be fine and that there will be billions of euros, modern infrastructure and trade with Iran, America, Europe, Turkey and Azerbaijan," the journalist comments with an incredulous smile.

An official settlement between the two nations remains unsigned, but certain facts emerge: following the American summit, no gunfire has been fired on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border.

Trump's intervention has brought at least temporary relief to residents who long have lived in fear of resumed hostilities.