US Analyst: Armenia-Azerbaijan Conflict Resolution Weakens Russia’s South Caucasus Influence
Yerevan, July 27 – The resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict allows Washington to deprive Russia of its main levers of influence in the South Caucasus, according to American political scientist Suren Sargsyan. He shared his insights on Monday, July 27, 2026, regarding the prospects of the ‘Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity’ (TRIPP) project.
Sargsyan noted that the Trump administration has achieved an unprecedented level of activity and involvement in the South Caucasus and Central Asia since 1992. This heightened engagement is partly due to Russia’s preoccupation with the war in Ukraine, which has significantly weakened its influence in these regions. The same applies to Iran, whose reduced involvement has further enabled the Trump administration to play a more active role.
Key Factors Driving US Influence
Sargsyan highlighted two primary factors contributing to the rapid and effective progress of this process:
- Steve Witkoff’s Role: Witkoff is reportedly one of the architects of the TRIPP project. The idea of connecting Central Asia with Turkey and Europe through TRIPP, which has significant economic, transport, and geopolitical implications, is attributed to his team. Witkoff’s direct communication with Trump has circumvented bureaucratic hurdles since the project’s inception in February 2025.
- Trump Administration’s Management Style: The administration’s approach is characterized by a significant reduction in bureaucratic processes, particularly in implementing key issues, including the use of force. Sargsyan cited rapid resolutions in Panama, Venezuela, and other long-standing issues as examples.
“Decision-making processes are carried out as quickly as possible, without traditional bureaucratic delays, which allows for rapid advancement of such large-scale geopolitical projects and their solutions,” Sargsyan stated. President Trump’s personal involvement also plays a crucial role. Furthermore, Marco Rubio heading both the State Department and the National Security Council fosters closer coordination between foreign policy and national security systems, minimizing inter-agency competition and accelerating decision-making and implementation.
Bureaucracy and Future Challenges
Sargsyan believes that neither Trump nor his core team members have ever been career bureaucrats. This, he argues, allows them to understand how bureaucracy complicates policy development and implementation, even for urgent and strategically important matters. “In this regard, the current administration compares favorably with all previous administrations, without exception,” he added.
While acknowledging several factors that may hinder TRIPP’s implementation despite these efforts, Sargsyan stated he would address those in a separate publication.
Source: arminfo.info
