- May 15, 2025
Washington, D.C. — Global ARM, a U.S.-based nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Armenia and the Armenian people, has formally submitted its Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) appropriations requests to the U.S. Senate and House Appropriations Committees. These targeted recommendations aim to deepen U.S.-Armenia relations, reinforce regional stability, counter escalating threats posed by Azerbaijani aggression, and accelerate Armenia as the anchor for both American and Transatlantic interests in the South Caucasus.
Independent of any political affiliations within or outside Armenia, Global ARM advocates for stronger U.S.-Armenia cooperation across defense, economic development, and human rights accountability.
“Armenia is a valuable and strategic partner in advancing U.S. foreign policy and security interests. Strengthening Armenia as a sovereign, resilient, and self-reliant nation aligns closely with U.S. priorities and the Trump Administration’s agenda. We look forward to working with House and Senate Appropriations Committees to achieve these goals,” said Global ARM President Timothy Jemal. “Now is the time for the U.S. to provide targeted support to a Strategic Partner who shares its values and strategic vision for regional peace.”
In light of persistent threats from Azerbaijan—including continued shelling of Armenian villages and escalatory rhetoric from Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev—Global ARM urges swift and decisive U.S. action to prevent a new wave of violence and support Armenia’s westward pivot. Despite recent announcements of progress toward a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Global ARM’s FY26 security cooperation requests were developed to respond to the high risk of yet another Azerbaijani invasion.
Additionally, Global ARM is seeking funding in other accounts to support Armenia in managing the humanitarian fallout from Azerbaijan’s ethnic cleansing of over 120,000 ethnic Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh—an act that underscores the critical need for sustained international support, while simultaneously creating new economic opportunities through bilateral cooperation. Global ARM welcomes the Trump Administration’s renewed commitment to implementing the U.S.-Armenia Strategic Partnership Charter and calls on Congress to use FY26 appropriations as a critical tool for advancing shared goals under the agreement.
Building upon key pro-Armenia provisions in the FY25 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Bills, and developed in consultation with bipartisan Congressional partners and members of the new administration, Global ARM’s FY26 appropriations requests include:
- $20 million in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) to modernize Armenia’s defense forces, enhance cyber defense, and improve interoperability with U.S. and allied militaries.
- $10 million for International Military Education and Training (IMET) to expand Armenia’s access to U.S. military colleges and professional development programs.
- A new directive for the Secretary of State to review Armenia’s defense needs and recommend increased support in the event of renewed military aggression.
- $50 million for expanded bilateral military cooperation, including training, intelligence-sharing, and border security.
- $25 million in humanitarian assistance to aid displaced Armenians with housing, healthcare, and economic integration.
- $75 million for energy independence initiatives, including renewable energy development and cybersecurity for critical infrastructure.
- A State Department human rights report documenting Azerbaijani war crimes, assessing treatment of ethnic Armenian prisoners in Azerbaijan, outlining the humanitarian needs of displaced persons, evaluating preservation of cultural and religious heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh, identifying mechanisms to facilitate a dignified right to return to their homes, and proposing recommendations for U.S. actions to achieve accountability and justice for those impacted by ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh.
“We are grateful for the leadership shown during the FY25 appropriations process and look forward to continuing our partnership with Congressional appropriators on both sides of the aisle to secure a peaceful, democratic, and prosperous future for Armenia and the South Caucasus,” said Jemal.
A detailed proposal with draft programmatic and report language has been submitted to the relevant committees. Global ARM is prepared to serve as a resource and to engage with policymakers and staff throughout the FY26 appropriations cycle to advocate for these pro-Armenia requests.
For More information, Contact:
Victoria Khederian: victoriakhederian@mckeongrp.com