On Aug. 8, President Donald Trump hosted the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan for the signing of an historic peace deal between the two countries and the U.S. The deal is aimed at normalizing relations between the two nations which have been at odds for decades over a border dispute. This is another diplomatic win from the Trump administration that shows that many of these long-standing global conflicts that were ignored or even fueled by the Biden administration and deemed “unsolvable” are in fact solvable.
Of course, nothing can get resolved overnight, and there is still work to be done in many of these instances, but the initial steps have been taken which are often the most important as they stop fighting and unnecessary killing.
Many may be wondering why the Trump administration bothers to focus on such relatively small conflicts, such as the Armenia-Azerbaijan dispute, or the Democratic Republic of Congo-Rwanda dispute or the Thailand/Cambodia dispute when we have larger conflicts still ongoing in Russia/Ukraine and Israel/Gaza. But the Trump administration is showing wisdom that the so-called “adults in the room” in the Biden administration lacked. These small conflicts offer opportunities for larger states such as Russia that benefit from conflict that keeps smaller states weak and dependent. Ending small conflicts not only saves lives, it eliminates opportunities for Russia, China, or other global bad actors to gain a foothold in these places and cause more trouble.
As an American with Armenian heritage, I am particularly optimistic about the opportunities this deal will create for economic partnerships. And I am thankful to have a president who is paying attention to this region and bringing both Azerbaijnis and Armenians closer to peace.
The details of the deal include two separate agreements that Azerbaijan and Armenia signed with the United States. The agreements include points on energy, technology, economic cooperation, border security, infrastructure and trade. Additionally, the two countries signed a historic declaration together brokered by the U.S. and centered on ending conflict.
The deal creates a shared transit corridor dubbed the “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity” which will no doubt bring economic success for the U.S. and the South Caucasus region. One needs only to look to the Armenian diaspora in America to see the work ethic, ingenuity, and craftsmanship that Armenian culture can contribute when given the opportunity.
According to several articles the corridor is going to run through a mountainous region between Armenia and Azerbaijan. In the agreement Armenia has agreed to award the U.S. exclusive special development rights on the Zangezur Corridor land for 99 years. The U.S. would sublease the land to a consortium that will develop rail, oil, gas and fiber optic lines and possibly electricity transmission along the 27-mile corridor.
The joint declaration is the first-ever declaration signed between the two countries, which were both previously states of the former Soviet Union and regained their freedom when the USSR was disbanded in 1991. There are still issues to be worked out between the two nations, such as alleged human rights abuses by Azerbaijan toward ethnic Armenians, but in order to address any of these concerns the two nations must first stop the fighting and resume relations.
Although this agreement may not address every issue right now, I believe it is better to take the first step than to stall progress completely. This opportunity may not be around forever. With Vladimir Putin’s ongoing battlefield adventures in Ukraine pulling his focus and economic resources completely to that conflict, Russian influence is finally waning in Azerbaijan, which created an opening for the U.S. to facilitate this deal.
The significance of these agreements extends beyond mere signatures; they represent a tangible investment in the future stability and prosperity of the region. According to statements from the leaders of both Azerbaijan and Armenia this deal wouldn’t have been possible without Trump. For those who are concerned about tariffs or Trump’s global trade policy potentially driving away partners, it is clear that Trump’s reputation as the peacemaker is far more valuable to small states around the world than unbalanced trade. The relationships that are formed when Trump is able to achieve deals like this in Asia, Africa, and now the South Caucasus region are real and lasting because they show the benefit of American strength and leadership.
Additionally, these efforts send a clear message to adversarial powers that the era of unchecked influence in strategically sensitive zones may be coming to an end. By inserting American expertise and oversight, and by empowering local stakeholders, the deal lays a foundation for sustainable development and mutual benefit. Such diplomatic achievements demonstrate that when the United States leads with resolve and creativity, even seemingly intractable disputes can give way to hope and renewed partnership.
While we may never see the cliché “World Peace” that some dream of, the Trump administration is showing that there is a real benefit to trying anyway. Balancing America First policies and strength with fast-paced action that takes advantage of opportunities for diplomacy when they arise is a winning approach for America in the Golden Age.
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