# How One Peace Agreement Gave America a New Route Through Iran and Russia’s Backyard | Ambassador Narek Mkrtchyan

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/american-thought-leaders-1056274/how-one-peace-agreement-gave-america-a-new-route-through-iran-and-russia-s-backyard-ambassador-narek-mkrtchyan
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/american-thought-leaders-1056274/how-one-peace-agreement-gave-america-a-new-route-through-iran-and-russia-s-backyard-ambassador-narek-mkrtchyan.md
Podcast: [American Thought Leaders](https://stenobird.com/podcast/american-thought-leaders-1056274)
Published: 2026-08-07T01:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://www.theepochtimes.com/podcasts
Audio file: https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/48f5a096-2bef-4b96-ab33-62ec529c6c53.mp3
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Duration seconds: 2695

## Resource

Almost a year after the Washington Declaration, Armenia is trying to turn a hard-won peace with Azerbaijan into something lasting. In this conversation, Armenia’s ambassador to the United States, Narek Mkrtchyan, explains what the agreement means on the ground and why the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity could reshape the region and the country’s future. “We sit in a very tough neighborhood. We sit in a very interesting geography. We are at the crossroads of Europe, Middle East, Central Asia, South Caucasus,” Mkrtchyan says. Mkrtchyan describes how Armenia is trying to turn geography into strategy through the development of diplomacy, new trade routes, and international partnerships. He views this as more than a peace process—it’s a chance to redefine Armenia’s place in the region. “In the center is the concept of crossroads of peace,” Mkrtchyan says. Recently, Armenia also got approval for the biggest artificial intelligence factory in the region—a $4 billion project that officials say could help make the country a hub for computing power and advanced technology. Views expressed in this video are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

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