Breaking
Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) filed an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY 26) National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would require the Pentagon to recommend ways to strengthen U.S. security assistance to Armenia if Azerbaijan fails to take meaningful steps to curb its aggression.
“We thank Congressman Bilirakis for proactively introducing this important amendment. Azerbaijan’s aggression is well documented and must stop if a just and durable peace is to be achieved,” said Timothy Jemal, President of Global ARM. “We are hopeful this amendment will receive broad, bipartisan support as the NDAA moves forward.”
The amendment directs the Secretary of Defense to certify to Congress that Azerbaijan has taken meaningful steps to:
- Uphold commitments under the August 8 Joint Declaration.
- Withdraw all military forces from Armenia’s sovereign territory.
- Unconditionally release all Armenian prisoners.
- Cease hostilities against Armenia.
- Recognize the right of return for ethnic Armenians to their homes and commit to
preserving Armenian cultural and religious sites in Nagorno-Karabakh.
If these conditions are not met, the Department of Defense (DoD) would be required to conduct an immediate review of U.S. security assistance for Armenia, assessing its deterrence and self- defense capabilities. The resulting report to Congress would include:
- An assessment of the scale and nature of threats facing Armenia.
- An evaluation of historical and current trends in U.S. security assistance for Armenia in key accounts.
- Identification of gaps in Armenia’s short- and long-term defense needs, including weapons, services, and training.
- A summary of immediate steps being taken to expand security cooperation with Armenia.
- Recommendations for additional U.S. assistance to strengthen Armenia’s self-defense.
Azerbaijan’s Ethnic Cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh and Genocidal Policy
UK Corporate Watchdog Launches Human Rights Probe into Chapman Taylor’s Shushi Redevelopment Project
The United Kingdom’s National Contact Point (NCP), a major corporate social responsibility agency and watchdog, announced an official examination of UK-based architectural firm Chapman Taylor for violations of human rights related to the company’s redesign of Shushi, Nagorno-Karabakh.
Monument to Armenian Alphabet and Nagorno- Karabakh Foreign Ministry Destroyed in Stepanakert
The Azerbaijani authorities destroyed a monument dedicated to the Armenian alphabet at Stepanakert School No. 1 in Nagorno-Karabakh. In a related development, Azerbaijan has also begun demolishing the Nagorno-Karabakh Foreign Ministry building in Stepanakert. The demolition coincides with the anniversary of Nagorno-Karabakh’s declaration of independence.
Judge Gassia Apkarian on Seeking Justice for Armenian War Crimes Through Universal Jurisdiction
Judge Gassia Apkarian, an advisor to the Yerevan-based Center for Truth and Justice and Superior Court Judge in California, explains how Armenian war crime survivors are turning to universal jurisdiction to hold Azerbaijani perpetrators accountable. With Armenia unable to prosecute directly, evidence collected by CFTJ enables cases to be pursued in select countries in Europe and Latin America.
Decades of Anti-Armenian Hate Persist Activists Warn
By Aytan Farhadova and Nate Ostiller
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan sign a peace agreement on 8 August, including a clause to combat intolerance, racial hatred, discrimination, separatism, violent extremism, and terrorism. Despite the agreement, hate speech against Armenians continues in Azerbaijani media and online platforms. Activists and legal scholars argue that institutionalised anti-Armenian sentiment remains deeply rooted.
Driven by Fear from Nagorno-Karabakh
Life Under Fire: ICRC Supports Syunik Border Communities and Displaced Families to Build Resilience
The ICRC assists residents of Syunik border communities to adapt to post-war realities after the 44-day war and mass displacement in 2023. Programs also support displaced residents from Nagorno-Karabakh who lost their homes. Long-term projects aim to improve living conditions and prevent migration.The ICRC helps 50 displaced Nagorno-Karabakh families establish apiaries, providing 4 hives, equipment, and training per family.
Photos of the Week
The closing ceremony of the U.S.-Armenia joint exercise “EAGLE PARTNER 2025.”
Photo Courtesy of U.S. Embassy Yerevan.
Kansas Army National Guard personnel conduct medical and tactical training for Armenian peacekeepers as part of the “Eagle Partner-2025” exercise in August.
Photo Courtesy of Kansas National Guard.
During the August 23 rally in Gyumri organized by the For the Republic Party demanding the closure of Russia’s 102nd military base, protesters carried banners reading “Russia is a traitor,” “Only Armenian soldiers in Armenia,” and “Murderers”.
Photo Courtesy of Jam News.
Security
Kansas Guards Participate in Plains Cyber Guardian Exercise
Kansas Army and Air National Guardsmen took part in the Plains Cyber Guardian exercise, hosted by the Kansas Office of Information and Technology Services and the Kansas Information Security Office. The two-week cyber exercise, held August 18–29 in Topeka and Wichita, involved government entities across Kansas. In addition to the Kansas Guardsmen, their State Partnership Program counterparts in Armenia, participated as well.
Global ARM: Need Sanctions to Deter Aliyev
Timothy Jemal, President of Global ARM, highlights the potential impact of sanctions tied to the recent US-brokered peace deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan. In an interview with CivilNet, he stated, “We are working right now with Congress on developing a sanctions package that is meaningful, that will impact Ilham Aliyev and his family, and state-owned economic interests. If they engage in an attack on sovereign Armenia, anywhere, including the Trump route, there will be meaningful sanctions, financial conditions, and harsh financial penalties on himself, his family, and state-owned entities. We believe that this will get support in Congress, and we are hopeful to get support of the administration.”
“Landmine Free South Caucasus 2025” Campaign Launches Across Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia
LINKS Europe launches the fourth Landmine Free South Caucasus campaign, running from 1 September to 15 December 2025. The campaign is regional, covering Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia.
Armenia Hosts Annual Ambassadors’ Conference in Kapan Amid New Era of Regional Peace
The annual conference of Armenia’s ambassadors started on August 24 in the city of Kapan, Syunik province, highlighting the new regional peace. Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan delivered opening remarks, touching upon the agreements reached during the meetings on August 8 in Washington, D.C., and emphasized the significance of the Armenia-Azerbaijan initialed agreement.
Pashinyan Emphasises Armenia’s Security, Peace with Azerbaijan, and US-Mediated “Trump Route” Project
On 28 August 2025, at his latest weekly briefing, Pashinyan says that Armenia is now “in its least vulnerable position in modern history.”
- Stresses that peace with Azerbaijan is established and irreversible, with a focus on institutionalizing the agreement.
- Supports the US-mediated “Trump Route” project as a factor for security and investment opportunities.
- Says leaving the EAEU is possible and commits to the EU accession process.
- Confirms upcoming meetings with US officials for diplomatic purposes.
Economy
Ambassador Kvien Visits Spayka LLC to Highlight U.S.-Armenia Economic Ties
Ambassador Kvien met with founder Davit Ghazaryan at Spayka LLC, Armenia’s leading agro-industrial company, to showcase deepening U.S.-Armenia economic cooperation. Spayka also participated in the Select USA Investment Summit in Washington, D.C. in May, reflecting growing momentum in bilateral trade and investment.
Ambassador Kvien Discusses Boosting U.S.-Armenia Economic Cooperation
Ambassador Kvien met with Enterprise Armenia CEO Gohar Abajyan to discuss ways to increase U.S. investment in Armenia and strengthen bilateral economic cooperation.
Economist: “Trump Route” Could Unlock Investment and Boost Armenia’s Regional Role
Economist Armen Ktoyan says the U.S.-brokered Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP), reopening a road between Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan through Armenia, could attract new investment and strengthen Armenia’s position as a transit hub.
Opinion
Azerbaijan Is Already Undermining Peace with Armenia
By Elizabeth Samson
Elevating a dictator like Aliyev as a partner for peace by inviting him into the Oval Office while he holds Armenians hostage is troubling, as is the prospect that Aliyev may refuse a final signature on the Agreement if Armenia fails to amend its constitution. But there is a silver lining: Azerbaijan seeks to enter into the Abraham Accords for the economic benefits and regional influence, and the Trump administration requires resolving the dispute with Armenia as a prerequisite for Azerbaijan’s participation.
Armenia Turns Its Back On Moscow – But For How Long?
By Anri Shengelia
The future of the South Caucasus, much like the peaceful future of Europe, depends on Ukraine winning the war against Russia. A weakened Russia would give countries like Armenia and Georgia a real chance to finally step out from under Moscow’s shadow and rejoin the European family—a place where they truly belong.
Vatican Ties with Azerbaijan Under Fire Amid Accusations of Cultural Genocide
By Claire Giangravé
Azerbaijan’s hefty donations to restore Vatican treasures are drawing sharp criticism from Armenian activists, who accuse the Holy See of whitewashing the country’s destruction of their Christian heritage.
Without Return and Justice, Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Deal Cements Tragedy for Nagorno- Karabakh Armenians
By Artak Beglaryan
President Trump now has a choice. He can celebrate August 8 as a historic achievement and another big deal—or he can ensure it becomes a foundation for true peace. Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders, responsible for this shameful deal, have already whispered about a Nobel Peace Prize for President Trump. But does legitimizing mass atrocities merit the world’s highest peace honor?
Advocating for Justice After the Peace Agreement
By Gabriel Armas-Cardona
The point is simpler, but essential: anyone who advocates for justice should know that the work doesn’t end with a signature. A peace agreement can set the terms for interstate relations, but on its own it cannot resolve injustices, deliver accountability, or heal relations between people.