Aze.US
The planned visit by U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance to Baku and Yerevan has quickly become one of the most closely watched geopolitical developments in the South Caucasus. Analysts say the trip reflects Washington’s growing strategic focus on the region and could mark the beginning of a new phase in U.S. involvement.
Unlike routine diplomatic travel, the visit is framed around peace facilitation, long-term economic cooperation, and emerging transport initiatives linking East and West. Observers argue this signals a shift from short-term tactical engagement toward a more durable strategic presence.
Particular attention has been drawn to the itinerary itself. The program centers on Azerbaijan and Armenia, leaving Georgia outside the immediate framework – a detail many experts interpret as evidence that Washington’s primary priority is the Armenian-Azerbaijani peace track and the broader connectivity agenda tied to it.
Diplomatic sources suggest the United States aims at minimum to preserve the current momentum in peace negotiations and, if conditions allow, accelerate progress toward a formal agreement. In the wider geopolitical context, the South Caucasus is increasingly viewed not as an exclusive sphere of Russian influence but as a competitive strategic space involving the United States, China, and other global actors.
Potential progress may also depend on domestic political steps in Armenia, particularly legal or constitutional clarity regarding recognition of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity. Azerbaijani officials have indicated that such movement could open the path toward signing and ratifying a peace treaty.
The visit comes amid continued U.S.–Iran tensions, adding a further security dimension. Yet neither Tehran nor Moscow has signaled readiness for direct confrontation over expanding American engagement, limiting responses largely to critical rhetoric.
Technology, economic cooperation, and defense dialogue are also expected to feature in discussions, underscoring the role of innovation and infrastructure in shaping the region’s future strategic balance.
Taken together, analysts say the trip could help accelerate new East-West transport corridors, deepen economic integration, and contribute to a more stable – though increasingly competitive – security architecture across the South Caucasus.