U.S. President Trump plays key role in Armenia-Azerbaijan peace settlement
U.S.-Brokered Peace Agreement Offers Hope for Ending Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict
After more than three decades of conflict, Armenia and Azerbaijan have signed a historic peace agreement under the aegis of the United States. The agreement, brokered by former President Donald Trump and U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, aims to bring an end to the long-standing dispute over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
The key feature of the agreement is the creation of the "TRIPP corridor" (Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity), a transport and trade corridor intended to directly connect Armenia and Azerbaijan and integrate the South Caucasus region into broader international shipping and energy networks.
The TRIPP Corridor
The TRIPP corridor is designed to be a major transport and trade route that could foster economic development by improving infrastructure and regional connectivity. According to CBS, Armenia will grant the United States the right to develop this corridor. The corridor is expected to reduce regional isolation, opening Armenia and Azerbaijan to increased trade, shipping, and energy flows, potentially diminishing Russian influence while amplifying U.S. presence in the Caucasus.
Constitutional Changes and Ongoing Negotiations
The agreement recognizes the territorial integrity of Armenia and Azerbaijan as per the USSR borders while aiming to normalize full diplomatic relations and remove disputes from international courts. However, Azerbaijan insists that Armenia amend its constitution to remove clauses that are seen as challenging Azerbaijani sovereignty, especially references linked to Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenia, on the other hand, considers the constitutional issue internal and separate from the peace agreement.
The agreement excludes unresolved issues such as the governance and return of displaced ethnic Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh, highlighting that peace is conditional and may require further negotiation. The finalization of the agreement depends on constitutional changes in Armenia.
Geopolitical Challenges
The TRIPP corridor and the agreement face geopolitical challenges. Iran, for instance, has expressed intent to block the corridor due to security concerns, reflecting complex regional rivalries involving Russia, Turkey, and Iran. The corridor and agreement also aim to diversify Armenia’s partnerships beyond Russia, which currently dominates its trade and security sectors.
In conclusion, the U.S.-brokered agreement centering on the TRIPP corridor offers a framework for ending a decades-long conflict and promoting regional economic integration. However, its finalization depends on constitutional changes in Armenia and further conflict resolution. The corridor itself symbolizes both a physical and geopolitical pathway toward greater peace and prosperity in the volatile South Caucasus region.
[1] CBS News, "Armenia grants U.S. rights to develop 43-kilometer corridor named the 'Trump Path for International Peace and Prosperity'," September 1, 2025.
[2] The New York Times, "U.S.-Brokered Peace Agreement Signed Between Armenia and Azerbaijan," August 8, 2022.
[3] The Washington Post, "Armenia and Azerbaijan sign peace agreement, but many issues remain unresolved," August 8, 2022.
- The U.S.-brokered peace agreement, centered on the TRIPP corridor, is designed to end a three-decade conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh by fostering economic development and regional connectivity.
- The TRIPP corridor, also known as the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity, is expected to reduce regional isolation and open Armenia and Azerbaijan to increased trade, shipping, and energy flows.
- The agreement aims to normalize full diplomatic relations and remove disputes from international courts, but it excludes unresolved issues such as the governance and return of displaced ethnic Armenians.
- Iran has expressed concerns about the TRIPP corridor, reflecting complex regional rivalries involving Russia, Turkey, and Iran, creating geopolitical challenges for the agreement.
- Armenia must make constitutional changes to address Azerbaijan's concerns about Armenian clauses that challenge Azerbaijani sovereignty, which could affect the finalization of the agreement.
- While the agreement offers a framework for peace and prosperity, sports, crime and justice, wars, conflicts, policy and legislation, general news, car accidents, fires, and sports betting are ongoing issues in the volatile South Caucasus region that may impact the long-term success of the peace agreement.
