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An abandoned station, several corroded railcars and limited stretches of railway are all that remains of a Soviet railway in Armenia's southern region.

It may seem unlikely, this derelict stretch of railway in the Caucasus region has been selected to become a symbol of diplomatic peace by America's leader, known as the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity.

Dispersed throughout are fragments of a head from a monument to a communist hero. A female statue has lost one limb.

"We are on the Trump route, also known as Crossroads of Peace, the Silk Road, and the regional passageway," notes a local journalist. "However currently none of this appears Western."

Peace Negotiations

This constitutes a longstanding conflict the US president asserts to have successfully resolved, through an agreement between the Armenian government and its long-time enemy Azerbaijan.

The plan envisages American corporations establishing presence under a 99-year deal to develop the 26-mile corridor through Armenian territory along the complete frontier with Iran, creating a passageway linking Azerbaijan to its separated territory of Nakhchivan.

Rail transport, highway and pipelines are all promised and Trump has spoken of companies spending "significant funds, which will economically benefit the three participating countries".

On the ground, the scale of the challenge becomes apparent. This connectivity project will have to be built from scratch, but diplomatic obstacles significantly exceed financial considerations.

Geopolitical Implications

The American involvement might transform international relations of an area that Russia claims as its regional domain. Hardliners in Tehran express concern and are threatening to block the project.

This peace initiative plays a crucial role in resolving a conflict between the two neighboring nations that originated from Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijani territory with historical Armenian presence.

During 2023, Azerbaijan recaptured the contested area, and virtually the entire Armenian population were displaced. This didn't represent the initial displacement in this conflict: during the 1990s half a million Azerbaijani citizens were displaced.

Global Participants

American diplomatic efforts were enabled because of Moscow's diminished influence in the South Caucasus.

For years, the Kremlin worked towards restoring the passage that currently carries an American president's name.

Although Russia's proposal for its FSB border troops to guard the future road was declined, Russian units continue monitoring the stretch of the Armenian-Iranian frontier that has been chosen for the Trump route.

Armenia's Syunik region is also an important center for its exports, and commercial vehicles and traders from Iran commonly appear. Iranian construction companies are building 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.

Remains uncertain the manner in which American and Persian corporations can operate together in Armenia, given recent US involvement in Middle Eastern conflicts.

Regional Cooperation Prospects

Additionally exists growing Western involvement in Armenia's southern territories.

France has recently started selling weapons to Armenian leadership and has opened a consulate in Syunik. European Union observers operates within the region, and the future Trump route European officials view as component of an alternative route connecting Europe to Asian markets and bypassing Russia.

Turkey is also eager to capitalize on opportunities arising from diminished Moscow presence.

Ankara is in talks with Armenia to normalise relations and expressed endorsement for Tripp, which would establish a direct link from Turkey to Azerbaijan through its exclave.

Armenia's government shows composure about multiple international stakes. It wants to become a "Crossroads of Peace" where every neighboring nation can collaborate.

"Officials claim conditions will improve and that we can expect billions of euros, modern infrastructure and trade with Iran, America, Europe, Turkey and Azerbaijan," the journalist comments while expressing skepticism.

A formal peace treaty between the two nations remains unsigned, but one thing is clear: following the American summit, not a single shot has occurred on their shared frontier.

The presidential involvement has provided some immediate respite to residents who long experienced anxiety of resumed hostilities.