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An abandoned station, several corroded railcars and a dozen metres of track constitute the only remnants of former Soviet railroad in southern Armenia.

While appearing improbable, this derelict stretch of track in the South Caucasus has been selected to become a symbol of peace brokered by America's leader, referred to as the Trump Route for Global Stability and Economic Growth.

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

"We are on this proposed corridor, also known as Peace Junction, the Silk Road, and the regional passageway," says a local journalist. "But so far nothing here looks American."

Regional Conflict Resolution

This constitutes one of the "unendable wars" Trump claims to have brought to an end, through an agreement between the Armenian government and its historical rival Azerbaijan.

The proposal outlines US companies establishing presence under a century-long agreement to develop the 43km route through Armenian territory along its entire border with Iran, creating a corridor linking Azerbaijan to its separated territory of Nakhchivan.

Rail transport, highway and energy conduits are all promised and the president has mentioned of corporations investing "significant funds, which will economically benefit all three of our nations".

At the site, the scale of the challenge is clear. This transport link must be constructed from scratch, but diplomatic obstacles significantly exceed economic issues.

Geopolitical Implications

The American involvement could reshape the geopolitics of an area that Russia claims as its regional domain. Hardliners in Tehran express concern and have warned to halt the initiative.

This peace initiative plays a crucial role in resolving longstanding tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan that originated from Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijani territory with historical Armenian presence.

In 2023, Azerbaijan recaptured the contested area, and virtually the entire ethnic Armenians fled their homes. This was not the first such expulsion in this conflict: in the 1990s half a million Azerbaijani citizens were displaced.

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American diplomatic efforts became possible because of Moscow's diminished influence in this strategic region.

Over time, the Kremlin worked towards re-opening the route that now bears an American president's name.

Despite Moscow's suggestion for its FSB border troops to guard the future road has been rejected, Russian units continue monitoring the stretch of the Armenian-Iranian frontier that was selected as the Trump route.

Armenia's Syunik region represents a key hub for international trade, and businessmen and trucks from Iran are a familiar sight. Persian engineering firms are constructing a new bridge that will cross the planned corridor.

The Aras River that separates the Islamic Republic and Armenia represents the exact path the route is set follow.

It is unclear the manner in which American and Persian corporations will co-exist in Armenia, considering American participation in the Israel‑Iran war.

Regional Cooperation Prospects

Additionally exists growing Western involvement in southern Armenia.

France has recently started military equipment transfers to Yerevan and established a consulate in Syunik. European Union observers is deployed to the region, and the future Trump route European officials view as component of an alternative route connecting Europe to Central Asia and China and avoiding Russian territory.

Ankara shows interest to capitalize on an opening created by waning Russian influence.

Ankara is in talks with Yerevan to establish diplomatic ties and expressed endorsement for Tripp, which would establish immediate connectivity from Turkish territory to Azerbaijan through its exclave.

Armenia's government shows composure about the various competing interests. It wants to become a "Crossroads of Peace" where every neighboring nation will co-operate.

"Officials claim everything will be fine and that there will be 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 certain facts emerge: since the Washington meeting, no gunfire has occurred on their shared frontier.

The presidential involvement has brought some immediate respite to those who for years have lived in fear of resumed hostilities.