BUILDING BRIDGES? US-ARMENIA RELATIONS UNDER THE SECOND TRUMP ADMINISTRATION
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54503/2953-8165-2026.5(2)-40Keywords:
US foreign policy, Armenia, South Caucasus , Peace process, Balance of power , Shifting geopoliticsAbstract
This research paper examines U.S.-Armenia relations under the second Trump administration, taking into account developments in the South Caucasus during the post-2020 war period. The war significantly altered the regional balance of power in this volatile area traditionally dominated by Russia, creating new opportunities for global actors such as the United States and the European Union to advance their interests and expand their economic and geopolitical influence through initiatives based on soft and smart power strategies. The study incorporates both a theoretical framework and a historical overview of U.S.-Armenia relations in the post-Soviet era, with particular emphasis on recent bilateral cooperation. Special attention is given to the strategic importance of promoting the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process, which may serve as a foundation for future geo-economic initiatives, including the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP). A qualitative case study methodology is employed to analyze U.S.-Armenia relations. The research is based on an in-depth examination of foreign policy decision-making, bilateral diplomacy, official documents, and geopolitical dynamics within a specific historical and political context. The study concludes that the U.S.-Armenia relationship can transform into a strategic one. The U.S. engagement in the South Caucasus can also play a stabilizing role and can contribute to the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process by fostering opportunities for sustainable economic development, regional interdependence, and cooperation among regional states and international actors.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Josiah Marineau, Emil Ordukhanyan (Author)
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