Breaking
The PEACE Act, introduced in the U.S. Congress, aims to deter and hold Azerbaijan’s ruling elite, military leaders, and oil-and-gas institutions accountable for aggression against Armenia. Global ARM President Timothy Jemal explains: “The main instrument of Ilham Aliyev’s aggression is oil and gas… any bank that has done business with an Azerbaijani bank involving oil and gas sales will no longer be allowed to have accounts or move money through banks in the US.”
Armenian Defense Minister Meets U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon
The discussions focused on the current state of Armenia–U.S. defense cooperation and prospects for launching long-term, institutional programs.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening defense partnership, highlighting the U.S. role in promoting lasting regional stability and exploring joint initiatives in military education and defense reforms.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance Visit the Armenian Patriarchate at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre
During a visit to Jerusalem, U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance toured the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, including its Armenian section. They were welcomed on behalf of the Armenian Patriarch by Bishop Koryun Baghdasaryan, who shared an introduction about the Armenian Church and the Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Following the visit, Vice President Vance wrote on X:
“What an amazing blessing to have visited the site of Christ’s death and resurrection. I am immensely grateful to the Greek, Armenian, and Catholic priests who care for this most sacred of places. May the Prince of Peace have mercy on us, and bless our efforts for peace.”
PM Pashinyan Arrives in Egypt at the Invitation of President Trump to Attend Middle East Peace Summit
Azerbaijan’s Ethnic Cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh and Genocidal Policy
Armenia Urges UN Action Over Ongoing Detention and Reported Torture of Armenians in Azerbaijan
At the UNGA80 Third Committee session, Armenia highlighted the UN Committee Against Torture’s ongoing concerns about the detention of Armenian individuals in Azerbaijan.
The Armenian delegation condemned credible reports of torture and politically motivated abuse, stressing the lack of international access, including by the ICRC.
U.S. Embassy Staff Monitor Trials of Armenians in Baku Amid Concerns Over Fairness and Transparency
U.S. embassy officials in Baku attend Armenian detainees’ trials “where possible,” though access is limited and hearings remain largely closed to observers.
Armenian human rights defenders warn that detainees are held in isolation, with international monitoring severely restricted since the ICRC halted its visits.
Noubar Afeyan Voices Hope for Release of Armenian
POWs in Azerbaijan Moderna co-founder and Aurora Initiative co-founder Noubar Afeyan expressed optimism that Armenian prisoners of war held in Azerbaijan will soon be released, emphasizing ongoing international efforts to address the issue.
Azerbaijan’s Manipulative Use of Humanitarian Issues Highlighted at OSCE Conference in Warsaw
Speaking at the OSCE Human Dimension Conference in Warsaw, Daniel Ioannisyan, Programs Coordinator of the Union of Informed Citizens NGO, criticized Azerbaijan’s leadership for using humanitarian and refugee issues as tools to advance territorial claims against Armenia.
He condemned Azerbaijan’s hypocrisy in exploiting the refugee topic while having carried out ethnic cleansing against Armenians just two years ago in Nagorno-Karabakh. Ioannisyan emphasized that Azerbaijan’s authorities are not interested in human lives or humanitarian values but only in territorial expansion, drawing parallels between the policies of Ilham Aliyev and Vladimir Putin.
Driven by Fear from Nagorno-Karabakh
There Was, There Was Not – An Important Film
By Barbara Keer
“There was, there was” not tells the story of Artsakh, a place I had never heard of. It was a place in Armenia where fairytales didn’t begin with “Once upon a time” but rather “There was, there was not”. As this tale, not a fairy tale spins, we arrive at “There was not”. What began as an observational meditation on women’s roles after conflict becomes an urgent and intimate record of their lives interrupted once again by war. From taking up arms on the front lines to fleeing their homes as refugees, each woman’s life changes irrevocably. Their journey becomes the myth of a homeland lost forever, and the power of story to keep it alive.
Photos of the Week
On October 8, Ambassador Narek Mkrtchyan met with Congressman Frank Pallone, Co-Chair of the Congressional Armenian Caucus.
Photo Courtesy of the Embassy of Armenia to the U.S.
On October 16, Ambassador Narek Mkrtchyan met with Congressman Pat Harrigan.
Photo Courtesy of the Embassy of Armenia to the U.S.
On October 16, Ambassador Narek Mkrtchyan met with U.S. Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff at the Holocaust Museum, within the framework of the event dedicated to Middle East Peace Summit and the Second Anniversary of October 7 attacks.
Photo Courtesy of the Embassy of Armenia to the U.S.
On October 8, Ambassador Narek Mkrtchyan met with Allison Hooker, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs.
Photo Courtesy of the Embassy of Armenia to the U.S.
Security
UK Imposes Sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil — Azerbaijani Nationals Included on the List
The United Kingdom has announced a new round of sanctions targeting Russia’s energy and financial sectors, including two of its largest oil giants–Rosneft and Lukoil – as well as dozens of individuals and companies linked to the Kremlin’s “shadow fleet.”
Armenian Defense Minister Discusses New Military Uniform Design with U.S. Company “Milliken”
In Washington, Defense Minister Suren Papikyan met with representatives of the American company Milliken, which specializes in designing and developing military uniforms.
The meeting focused on the progress and current stage of creating a new uniform for the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia.
EUMA Reaches a Major Milestone: 200 Mission Members from 25 EU States and Canada Working for Peace in Armenia
Armenian Ambassador to U.S., Aspen Security Forum Director Discuss Cooperation
The meeting focused on enhancing collaboration between Armenia and the Aspen Security Forum on regional security and policy dialogue.
Both sides emphasized the importance of strengthening Armenia, U.S. engagement through expert exchange and strategic partnerships.
Armenian Defense Minister Suren Papikyan Attends 2025 AUSA Exposition in Washington, D.C.
Defense Minister Suren Papikyan visited the 2025 AUSA Exposition at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, where he toured exhibits and met with representatives from various defense organizations.
The annual AUSA Exposition, marking the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, serves as a leading global platform for military innovation, policy discussion, and international defense cooperation.
UK Lifts 30-Year Arms Embargo on Armenia and Azerbaijan After Peace Deal
Pope Leo Meets with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia
Pope Leo XIV meets with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia in the Vatican, and during subsequent discussions in the Secretariat of State, the Prime Minister and Cardinal Parolin addressed “the need for a stable and lasting peace in the South Caucasus.”
Pashinyan, OSCE Chair Discuss Strengthening Security, Regional Peace, and EU-Armenia Cooperation
Pashinyan: EU’s Growing Role in South Caucasus and Central Asia Aligns with Armenia’s “Crossroads of Peace” Vision
Speaking at the Global Gateway Conference in Brussels, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan highlighted Armenia’s readiness to serve as a bridge between Europe, the South Caucasus, and Central Asia.
Pashinyan and EU Commissioner Marta Kos Discuss Deepening Armenia–EU Partnership and Regional Peace Projects
Armenian Lawmakers Join NATO Parliamentary Assembly Autumn Session in Ljubljana
An Armenian parliamentary delegation led by Andranik Kocharyan is attending the NATO Parliamentary Assembly’s autumn session in Ljubljana, Slovenia, from October 10–13, 2025.
Economy
UK Ambassador Describes Armenia as Rapidly Emerging Attractive Destination for International Business
“We want to see more action in areas where innovation, entrepreneurship, and international cooperation can flourish because when we invest in Armenia, we invest in a future of resilience, innovation, and shared prosperity,” UK Ambassador to Armenia, Alexandra Cole, said.
EU’s €2.5 Billion Investment Plan Aims to Boost Armenia’s Resilience and Green Growth
EU Ambassador Vassilis Maragos announced that total EU investments in Armenia are set to reach €2.5 billion through infrastructure, energy, and development programs. Major projects include the Sisian–Kajaran highway, “Green Yerevan” initiative, new MAN buses, kindergarten renovations, and upgraded Armenia–Georgia power lines.
Education
EUMA Engages Kapan Students to Raise Awareness of Its Peace Mission
Armenian Vice Speaker Showcases AI Achievements at Washington Roundtable on Innovation and Agriculture
The Armenian Embassy in Washington hosted a high-level roundtable on Artificial Intelligence and Agriculture, focusing on data sovereignty, food security, and climate resilience. Deputy Speaker Hakob Arshakyan highlighted Armenia’s growing success in applying AI across education, healthcare, science, and agriculture, strengthening its global tech reputation.
Opinion
Will Trump’s Peace Hold in Nagorno-Karabakh?
By Grigor Atanesian
Perhaps Trump’s deal will be a respite rather than a solution, but few people here mind. Decades of this conflict led to over 25,000 people killed and almost a million displaced, including virtually the entire Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh, who fled advancing Azerbaijani troops that finally reasserted control over the region in 2023. Maybe, after several cycles of displacement, people want to the turn the page on armed conflict. Not a single shot has been fired on the Azerbaijan-Armenia border since the White House meeting.
“People Here Are So Relaxed That They Have No Idea What’s Coming”: Life in Syunik, Armenia’s Most Disputed Province
By Michele Crestani
Among the ongoing deals to normalize Armenia-Azerbaijan relations, the recent Washington Summit between President Trump, Prime Minister Pashinyan and President Aliyev on August 8th has spotlighted the southernmost Armenian region. At the core of international trade routes between Asia and Europe, this strip of land has been fearing clashes not only after the events in Nagorno-Karabakh in 2023, but throughout centuries.
Finding the Ones Who Stayed
By Maral Davitian
Meditating on Armenian identity, Dink wrote, “For the last century, Armenians have been occupied with trying to keep their identity alive rather than living their identity. Where we stand today, Armenia represents the place where the identity is lived, and the Diaspora the place where one tries to keep the identity alive.”
