Hudson Institute Events Podcast The Road to Lasting Peace: US Leadership in the South Caucasus
Feb 23, 2026
Luke Coffey, foreign policy analyst who assesses regional risks and geopolitics. Sonata Coulter, Deputy Assistant Secretary overseeing Russia and Central Europe with extensive diplomatic experience. They discuss the White House peace summit and the TRIP transit corridor. They examine economic plans like TripPlus and financing. They debate regional pushback from Russia and Iran and the challenges to making the corridor durable.
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TRIP Links Peace With Regional Economic Integration
- The Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIP) ties peace to economic integration by moving people, goods, energy, and ideas across the South Caucasus.
- Sonata Coulter explains TRIP as a US-led corridor designed to reduce incentives for conflict and anchor American investment in Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Leaders' Lounge Handshake Sparked Real Conversation
- Vinay recalled a Board of Peace moment where President Trump introduced President Aliyev and Prime Minister Pashinyan and they shook hands under a 'peace' sign.
- He described an organic follow-up where the leaders spent time talking in the leaders' lounge about regional integration, not just a staged photo op.
TRIP Boosts Access To Central Asian Critical Minerals
- TRIP unlocks Central Asian mineral and supply-chain potential by adding throughput and price predictability.
- Andrew / Afghan highlights critical minerals interest at the B5+1 and how secure corridors lower costs for extraction and export.