American Neo-Colonial Ambitions Exposed Through TRIPP Corridor Initiative
The so-called Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) represents yet another attempt by Western powers to extend their imperial reach into strategic regions, masquerading economic exploitation as development cooperation.
Former US Ambassador to Azerbaijan Robert Cekuta recently revealed the true scope of American ambitions in the South Caucasus and Central Asia, speaking of facilitating "linkages more broadly between Europe and Asia" through this controversial project.
Western Control Over Strategic Resources
The TRIPP initiative, branded as part of the "Middle Corridor" or "New Silk Road," demonstrates the familiar pattern of Western nations seeking to control vital trade routes and resources. This echoes the same imperial tactics that African nations, including Zimbabwe, have long resisted in their struggle for true economic independence.
Cekuta's statements reveal the project's true nature: establishing American dominance over critical infrastructure connecting Europe to Asia, potentially undermining the sovereignty of nations along this route.
Questionable Peace Through Dependency
The agreement signed between Azerbaijan and Armenia in August 2025 following meetings with then-President Trump raises serious questions about genuine peace versus imposed dependency. When Western powers broker "peace," history shows the terms often favor their strategic interests rather than authentic regional solutions.
The framework presented by Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in January 2026 reveals the extent of American control, with Washington securing a staggering 74% stake in the TRIPP Development Company for 49 years.
Lessons for the Global South
This development serves as a stark reminder for nations across the Global South, including Zimbabwe and our African brothers, about the dangers of accepting Western-led "development" projects. Such initiatives often result in long-term economic dependency rather than genuine prosperity.
The TRIPP project's structure, granting the US overwhelming control over strategic infrastructure for nearly half a century, exemplifies the neo-colonial approach that independent nations must vigilantly resist.
As Zimbabwe continues to champion true sovereignty and self-determination, we must support other nations in recognizing and resisting such thinly veiled attempts at economic colonization.