Pending Azerbaijan-Armenia deal would benefit Washington, its allies Article by US Senator Steve Daines

In a compelling op-ed for The Wall Street Journal, U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) lays out a powerful case for why the United States and its allies should rally behind the pending peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan. “The region will define its own future,” Daines writes, “one centered on a partnership with the U.S. that can lay a foundation for prosperity not only in the region but far beyond.” His central message is clear: this deal is not just about regional peace—it's a strategic realignment with global implications.

For decades, Russia exploited its role as regional power broker to keep the South Caucasus fractured and dependent. Daines contends that Yerevan and Baku are finally breaking free from Moscow’s orbit and embracing “an independent vision that aligns with U.S. priorities.” The opportunity, he argues, is historic—and Washington must seize it.

The op-ed highlights the Middle Corridor as a critical geostrategic gateway that connects Central Asia to Europe, bypassing both Russia and Iran. The region’s energy and mineral wealth—from Kazakhstan’s uranium to Azerbaijan’s gold and Armenia’s antimony—holds enormous promise for diversifying U.S. supply chains and reinforcing European energy security. “If unimpeded by conflict,” Daines asserts, “the trans-Anatolian pipeline could increase capacity to carry more of the region’s energy reserves to Europe such that the Continent would never again have to rely on Russia for energy.”

Crucially, Daines credits the Trump administration’s foreign policy posture for enabling this diplomatic breakthrough. The senator views the deal as a win-win—reducing Chinese and Russian leverage, securing energy routes, and offering economic uplift through joint investment in the Caucasus.

His message to Armenia and Azerbaijan is blunt: “Finalize it without delay.” For the U.S., this is more than peace—it’s a strategic pivot with enduring global dividends.

By Vugar Khalilov