TRIPP provides the US with a business presence in the South Caucasus – Suren Sargsyan

Vice President Vance’s regional visit is just days away. “This visit will be one of the important milestones in advancing American geopolitical interests in our region,” said Suren Sargsyan, international affairs expert and director of the Armenian Center for American Studies.

According to Sargsyan, the current situation reflects a natural regional geopolitical competition, in which, at this stage, the advantage lies with the United States.

“It is worth noting that this advantage is also achieved at the expense of the interests of the region’s weakest link, which is a bitter but real manifestation of realpolitik. However, I do not consider this a victory solely for the Trump administration, since such strategies have been developed and gradually implemented by all US administrations since 1991.

In my assessment, TRIPP at this stage still provides the US with a business presence in the South Caucasus, but it has the potential to evolve this business presence into a strategic American foothold – something that has never existed before.

By the way, the possibility that such a step could negatively affect the implementation of TRIPP or its timelines has also played a role in the decision not to strike Iran, at least until now,” he added.