Trump Path to International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP): A New Variable in Geopolitical Gaming and Regional Connectivity

A 42-kilometer corridor connecting the Caspian Sea and the Mediterranean Sea also plays a crucial role in the complex chessboard of great power rivalry.

On August 8, 2025, Armenia and Azerbaijan signed a peace agreement brokered by the United States, ending nearly 40 years of conflict between the two countries. A core component of the agreement included the establishment of a transport corridor called the Trump Path to International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP).

This corridor will pass through southern Armenia, connecting mainland Azerbaijan with its exclave of Nakhchivan.

01 Core Contents of the Agreement and the Roles of the Parties

The TRIPP corridor, approximately 42 kilometers long, is located in the Syunik Oblast of southern Armenia, close to Iran's northwestern border (only 800 meters at its closest point) and just over 100 kilometers from Russia's military base in Armenia.

According to the agreement, the United States obtained an exclusive 99-year concession for the corridor, which will include the construction of railways, oil and gas pipelines, and fiber optic lines.

Operational rights will be held by a US company (reportedly led by Century Bridge Group, a company controlled by former Trump Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin), which will receive 40% of the profits, while Armenia will receive only 30%.

02 Practical Operational Model and Key Technical Details

The TRIPP corridor will be operated under a "business-led" model. After the US company obtains exclusive development rights, it may subcontract specific construction work to other consortiums.

Armenian Parliament Speaker Aren Simonyan stated, "Abstractly or hypothetically, the energy infrastructure could be built by one Armenian company, while the railways could be managed by another. These issues will be determined by a joint Armenian-US organization."

In terms of customs control, cargo information sharing will become standard practice for security reasons. Transiting goods will be required to submit documentation, allowing Armenia to identify the types of goods, particularly dangerous goods, transported through its territory.

03 Innovations in Personnel Movement and Border Management

The personnel movement plan utilizes a remote biometric verification system. Upon crossing the border, travelers place their passports on a scanner to obtain their biometric data, while cameras record the data.

Border guards visually verify that the passport holder matches the data in the system before granting entry. Some countries may not even issue a passport stamp.

This system aims to speed up border crossings and reduce direct contact, but it requires harmonized technical standards and transparent data protection rules.

04 Geopolitical Impact and Great Power Competition

The TRIPP corridor's geopolitical significance far outweighs its economic value. The South Caucasus region, situated at the junction of Russia, Iran, and Turkey, has always been a sensitive area for great power competition.

For the United States, this corridor represents the addition of the American flag to Russia's "backyard" while adding a layer of security pressure to Iran's north.

For Russia, Armenia's shift has resulted in the loss of its "strategic buffer zone" in the South Caucasus. Armenia was once Russia's staunchest ally in the region, hosting a Russian military base there for 27 years.

05 Economic Benefits and Regional Connectivity Potential

Armenian Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan stated, "Opening up communication channels will open up Armenia's 'economic heart,'" and that the country is transforming into a transportation hub.

Residents of Meghri and Kapan witness daily the construction of new north-south roads as mountains are being cut through. For Azerbaijan, the TRIPP corridor will allow its Caspian Sea natural gas to be delivered directly to Europe via Turkey, bypassing Russian pipelines.

This corridor will also compete with the "Middle Corridor" trade route between China and Europe, potentially weakening the influence of China's Belt and Road Initiative in the region.

06 Implementation Challenges and Potential Risks

The implementation of the TRIPP corridor faces numerous challenges. On the engineering front, laying track in the Armenian section is a complex undertaking and may only be carried out from Azerbaijani territory.

This is because track-laying machines must move along the track, and the Meghri section is not connected to the Armenian railway network. Prior to this, the railway subgrade needs to be repaired, tunnels widened, and bridges reinforced, as necessary.

Politically, some in Armenia criticized the government for making excessive concessions during negotiations. Over 2,000 people carrying banners reading "traitor" stormed the Prime Minister's Office, and American flags were burned on the streets of Yerevan.

Regarding security, Iranian Supreme Leader's advisor, Velayati, warned, "This corridor will be a graveyard for Trump's mercenaries." Iran deployed two additional mechanized brigades to the border overnight, and anti-drone jammers were installed on the mountaintops.

The full scope of the TRIPP corridor is still emerging. Julie Staff, the nominee for US ambassador to Kazakhstan, has publicly declared her intention to "expel Chinese energy investment," pointing out that Kazakhstan "possesses half of the minerals needed by the United States."

Geostrategists point out that this corridor will enhance US influence on the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, creating competition with China's Belt and Road Initiative.

The geopolitical landscape of the South Caucasus will continue to evolve in the coming years, and the actual operation of the TRIPP corridor will become a key variable influencing the balance of power in Eurasia.