Azerbaijan.US
Russian media and analysts have begun circulating claims that up to 1,000 personnel from a U.S. private military company could be deployed along what they describe as the “Trump Route” (TRIPP – Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity) in the South Caucasus.
According to these reports, the project is allegedly evolving from a purely economic initiative into one with potential military implications.
The claims were voiced by Russian analyst Aleksandr Shirokorad in an article published by Svodnaya Pressa. He argues that any U.S. military presence near the borders of Russia and Iran would pose a strategic threat to Moscow and Tehran.
The article speculates that, in the future, the region could see the emergence of airfields, attack helicopters, air defense systems, and other military infrastructure.
The author also raises the question of whether there are any guarantees that Azerbaijan, Armenia, or Georgia would refrain from joining NATO in the foreseeable future.
Russian commentary further links these concerns to Turkey’s growing regional role. Some analysts suggest that Ankara’s access to the Caspian region could facilitate deeper connectivity with Central Asia and potentially advance broader geopolitical concepts promoted by Turkish policymakers.
In this context, even the hypothetical appearance of Turkish naval vessels in the Caspian Sea is mentioned – claims that remain speculative and unsupported by official statements.
Regional experts note that Moscow’s concerns stem from several overlapping developments.
First, new logistics routes associated with the Middle Corridor and the Zangezur direction could reduce Russia’s traditional transit leverage in the South Caucasus.
Second, increased cooperation between regional states and the United States or NATO-linked structures is perceived in Russia as a shift in the security balance near its borders.
Third, the deepening strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Turkey is seen as challenging Russia’s long-standing political and military influence in the region.
Azerbaijani military analyst Rovshan Maharramov told local media that Russia’s own policies toward post-Soviet states have significantly contributed to its declining influence.
“When pressure is applied to former Soviet republics – and in some cases territories are occupied – neighboring states naturally begin searching for more reliable security arrangements,” he said.
“Some turn toward NATO cooperation, others pursue bilateral military partnerships.”
Maharramov emphasized that Azerbaijan maintains a military alliance with Turkey under the Shusha Declaration and cooperates with NATO within various partnership programs, but has repeatedly stated that it does not seek NATO membership. “This cooperation is not directed against Russia,” he added.
Commenting on speculation that U.S. forces could be deployed to secure the Zangezur corridor, the expert stressed that Azerbaijan and Armenia are sovereign states and have the right to determine how infrastructure security is ensured on their territory.
At present, he noted, there are no agreements or official documents providing for the deployment of U.S. military personnel in either country.
Analysts conclude that claims about American troops along the “Trump Route” remain unsubstantiated and appear to reflect broader geopolitical anxieties rather than concrete policy decisions.
