The US-backed Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) initiative seeks to expand East-West connectivity through Armenia, Nakhchivan and Azerbaijan, bolstering Turkiye’s and Western influence. However, critics contend that its economic benefits are overstated and that its primary purpose is geopolitical.
Moscow and Tehran are accelerating the development of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) across multiple routes – including the Caspian, Central Asia and the Western corridor – while leveraging existing infrastructure and exploring new links via Georgia, Abkhazia and Nakhchivan to strengthen their regional presence.
Although TRIPP was expected to undermine Russia and Iran, it has thus far mainly stimulated connectivity that benefits Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia. Its long-term viability remains uncertain, hinging on political will, economic justification, and competition from alternative strategic initiatives.
Emirates Policy Center | The Clash of Corridors in the South Caucasus
