TRIPP`s proximity to Iranian border could slow its implementation -  expert 

ArmInfo.  The Trump administration has achieved something in the South Caucasus that no  other American administration since 1991 has managed. Political  scientist and Americanist Suren Sargsyan writes about this in his  article.

According to him, this refers to the idea of connecting Central Asia  with Europe through the South Caucasus and the Middle Corridor, as  well as the prospect of integrating Armenia into global supply  chains. 

This initiative is of strategic importance to Washington, as it  creates uninterrupted communication routes, bypassing Russia, China,  and Iran. "This idea isn't new, but it has never reached this stage  of implementation. Clearly, time is of the essence here, and the  project must be implemented as quickly as possible. That's why the  role of the Washington bureaucracy in this process has been  significantly reduced.  Essentially, everything is being done to  ensure the project is implemented as quickly as possible and to avoid  any additional obstacles within the Washington administrative system  that could impact its implementation timeline. This applies both to  the State Department, where decision-making is often slow, and to the  National Security Council, where decision-making and scenario  development can also take quite a while. Currently, these obstacles  are virtually nonexistent. Rubio leads both competing structures, and  decisions, as I've noticed, are being made quite quickly, at least  with regard to this project," the political scientist noted.

In this context, he noted the importance of Konstantin Sokolov's  appointment, which has generated considerable commentary. "His  appointment should be viewed in the same strategic context. Sokolov  has a keen understanding of the Armenian business environment, both  its positive and negative aspects. 

However, it's important that his appointment also fits within the  logic of reducing bureaucracy. He has direct contacts with key  figures in the Trump administration and will benefit from the  administration's direct and unconditional support for the  implementation of the TRIP project and the entire project. 

Currently, the main obstacles to the implementation of the TRIP  project are the railway issue and the tense relations between Iran  and the United States. Ultimately, TRIPP is the American strategic  project closest to the Iranian border, with all the ensuing  consequences. Therefore, this could raise certain concerns on the  American side, especially at this tense stage, which could result in  the project's implementation being slowed down," says Suren Sargsyan.