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US role could neutralize Armenia-Azerbaijan corridor dispute, says Atlantic Council expert

John Herbst, Director of the Eurasia Center at the Atlantic Council

18 November 2025 12:33 (UTC +04:00)

Within the framework of the Trump administration’s policy, the role of the United States is to help stabilize peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, John Herbst, Director of the Eurasia Center at the Atlantic Council, told APA.

The expert noted that there are serious disagreements regarding the corridor passing through Armenian territory and said that the U.S. would provide assistance on this issue.

“Azerbaijan wants extraterritorial rights on Armenian territory. However, if the United States assumes responsibility for managing the corridor, this issue may lose its urgency. In that case, Armenia would not have to grant extraterritoriality to Azerbaijan, and Azerbaijan would not need to insist on this condition to secure its interests. In other words, Washington’s involvement could neutralize this contentious point.

Touching on the importance of accelerating the construction of roads in Armenian territory, Herbst emphasized that deliberately delaying this construction would not be possible.

“Delays are possible, but there is one thing we know about Trump: if he considers something important, he acts very quickly. During the ten months since he returned to the White House, it has been difficult to keep up with the steps he has taken. Considering his experience in construction, it is possible that he will personally oversee the process and speed up the work,” he said.

Speaking about the contribution the United States can make as a foreign partner to the construction of a railway toward Nakhchivan, the expert said this project would definitely be supported by the Trump administration: “Trump values his relationship with President Aliyev. This issue is a priority for Baku. Therefore, it is completely natural for Trump to take this into account when making decisions.”

As for the possibility that the “Trump route” may not be completed before Trump’s presidential term ends, Herbst expressed confidence that even if this happens, the new administration will not abandon the project.

“If President Donald Trump considers something important, he acts quickly and decisively — and this can have a very convincing effect. Therefore, I believe there is a real opportunity for these projects to be completed while Trump is in the White House. At the same time, it would be a mistake for a future administration to abandon the real progress achieved in the South Caucasus,” he said.