Breaking
The Center for Truth and Justice (CFTJ) has published an updated report documenting the ongoing unlawful detention of Armenians, the systematic destruction of Armenian cultural heritage, and Azerbaijan’s occupation of sovereign Armenian territory, while noting the recent release of four Armenian POWs.
- Four Armenian captives were released in January 2026, marking limited progress; however, 19 Armenians remain unlawfully detained in Azerbaijani prisons and subjected to sham trials.
- Dozens of additional Armenian POWs remain unacknowledged, with CFTJ documenting enforced disappearances supported by video and testimonial evidence.
- All Armenian detainees are held in total incommunicado detention, following the suspension of ICRC prison visits at Azerbaijan’s request.
- Political prisoners from Nagorno-Karabakh leadership face fabricated charges, military tribunals, and systematic violations of fair trial guarantees, including life sentence demands.
- Azerbaijan continues its military occupation of Armenia’s sovereign territory, occupying approximately 215 square kilometers (83 sq miles) across Syunik, Gegharkunik, and Vayots Dzor.
- Repeated cross-border attacks in 2025 targeted Armenian civilian villages, creating fear, displacement, and psychological harm among border communities.
- Armenian cultural heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh is being systematically erased, including the destruction of war memorials, cemeteries, churches, ancient sites, and entire villages.
- These acts directly violate binding ICJ orders, which require Azerbaijan to protect Armenian cultural and religious heritage.
CFTJ is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit human rights organization that collects testimonial evidence to document human rights violations and war crimes against Armenians.
Armenia Joins the “Board of Peace” as a Founding Member at Davos
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan participated, at the invitation of U.S. President Donald Trump, in the signing ceremony of the Charter of the “Board of Peace” in Davos, marking Armenia’s role as a founding member of the initiative.
PM Pashinyan Engages Global Tech Leaders in Davos to Advance Armenia’s Investment and Innovation Agenda
During his visit to Davos, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held meetings with global business and technology figures, including Oliver Blum (Schneider Electric), Michael Dell (Dell Technologies), and Noubar Afeyan, focusing on potential cooperation.
Azerbaijan’s Ethnic Cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh and Genocidal Policy
PACE Demands Immediate Release of Armenian Hostages Held in Baku
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has adopted Resolution 2633 during its annual winter session on January 26, reviewing the monitoring situation in several member states, including Azerbaijan.
- Demands the immediate release of Armenian hostages held in Baku, including 23 Armenian prisoners, as well as journalists, civil society activists, and opposition figures.
- Stresses that the continued detention of Armenian captives constitutes a serious humanitarian and political violation.
- Calls on Azerbaijan to fully comply with rulings of the European Court of Human Rights.
Freed Armenian Hostage Exposes Political Detention, Sham Trials, and Systematic Denial of Legal Rights in Azerbaijan
Gevorg Sujyan, recently released from Azerbaijani captivity, recounts over five years of unlawful detention, sham trials, and psychological torment, including being blindfolded in court, denied legal defense, and sentenced despite admitted innocence. He says that during captivity he was told he was missing and that his family was searching for his body, highlighting the extreme psychological pressure. Sujyan notes that fellow prisoners Alyosha Khosrovyan and Lyudvig Mkrtchyan, captured in October 2020, remain detained, alongside former Nagorno-Karabakh leaders facing long sentences.
Global Campaign Urges Nobel Nominators to Spotlight Armenian Hostages and Uphold International Law
Free Armenian Hostages initiative launches an international campaign calling on Nobel Peace Prize nominators to highlight the plight of Armenians held in Azerbaijani prisons since 2020
Driven by Fear from Nagorno-Karabakh
Last Armenians Evacuated from Nagorno-Karabakh, Ending Indigenous Armenian Presence in the Region
Eleven individuals, including ten Armenians and one ethnic Russian, believed to be the last remaining residents of Nagorno-Karabakh, were evacuated to Armenia, effectively marking the end of the region’s indigenous Armenian civilian population and marking Azerbaijan’s complete ethnic cleansing.
Former Artsakh Human Rights Ombudsman Gegham Stepanyan highlights that relatives and Artsakh authorities were not informed in advance.
The evacuation follows the forced displacement of over 100,000 Artsakh Armenians after Azerbaijan’s September 2023 unlawful military attack against Nagorno-Karabakh.
Photo of the Week
Prime Minister Pashinyan participates in the signing ceremony of the Charter of the “Board of Peace” in Davos.
Photo Courtesy of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia.
Security
Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Meets Bipartisan U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee Delegation
The sides reaffirmed the important role of the U.S. House of Representatives in further advancing the Armenia–U.S. strategic partnership and exchanged views on possible ways in which the U.S. legislative body could contribute to peace and the unblocking of regional communications.
Armenia–U.S. Bilateral Working Group Advances Implementation of Peace Summit Outcomes
Deputy Foreign Minister Vahan Kostanyan and U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Sonata Coulter reviewed progress on implementing the outcomes of the August 8, 2025 Peace Summit, including the establishment of the Board of Peace, with Armenia joining as a founding member.
Both sides highlighted the strengthening of the Armenia–U.S. Strategic Partnership and marked the adoption of the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) Implementation Framework as a significant milestone.
Economy
Armenian Ambassador Explores Economic and Technology Cooperation During Utah Visit
During his working visit to Utah, Ambassador Narek Mkrtchyan met with the leadership of the World Trade Center of Utah, discussing Armenia’s economic developments, U.S.–Armenia relations, and opportunities for expanding cooperation, particularly in the technology sector. At the headquarters of DoTerra, the Ambassador held talks with Founder and CEO David Sterling on potential areas of collaboration and gained firsthand insight into the company’s operations and business model.
Armenian Ambassador Engages Arizona Leaders to Advance Economic and Diplomatic Cooperation
Ambassador Narek Mkrtchyan participated in a reception hosted by Congressman Abraham Hamadeh, engaging with prominent figures from Arizona’s business, political, and cultural communities, as well as U.S. Special Envoy Ambassador Rick Grenell.
Armenia and Corporación América Amend Airport Concession, Unlocking $425 Million in Investments
Armenia and Corporación América S.A. signed the fifth amendment to the airport concession agreement, following its approval by the Armenian Cabinet, reinforcing the long- term partnership governing the operation of the country’s airports.
Under the amended agreement, Corporación América S.A. committed to investing a total of $425 million in Armenia by 2033, supporting infrastructure development and broader economic growth.
Education
Armenian Ambassador Visits Brigham Young University, Discusses Academic Cooperation and Foreign Policy
Ambassador Narek Mkrtchyan met with BYU President Shane Reese to explore opportunities for student exchanges, academic initiatives, and deeper institutional partnerships between Armenian and U.S. universities.
The discussions highlighted education as a platform for expanding Armenia–U.S. cooperation and fostering long-term people-to-people and institutional connections.
Armenian Ambassador Meets LDS Church Leaders, Highlights Humanitarian Cooperation and Religious Freedom
Ambassador Narek Mkrtchyan met with senior leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including Dallin H. Oaks, Henry B. Eyring, and D. Todd Christofferson, underscoring the importance of dialogue with faith- based institutions.
The Ambassador praised the Church’s humanitarian efforts in Armenia, which began with assistance following the Spitak earthquake, and expressed appreciation for its continued charitable and community support.
Opinion
Atlantic Council: TRIPP Could Transform South Caucasus Geopolitics and Strengthen U.S.– Armenia Ties
By Andrew D’Anieri and Joseph Epstein
But the United States is the only power capable of truly offering Armenia an exit ramp from Russian domination. By conducting peace negotiations under U.S. auspices and placing U.S. interests directly over TRIPP, Pashinyan and Aliyev have protected the most sensitive part of the deal with a U.S. deterrent. But more than that, they tied the success of the peace process to closer relations with Washington.
What Would the Collapse of Iran’s Regime Mean for Armenia and Azerbaijan?
By Nicholas Castillo
With limited military or economic power and a demonstrated lack of public legitimacy, sizable change in Iran’s regime seems inevitable. Armenia and Azerbaijan on Iran’s northwestern doorstep, the fall of the Islamic Republic could spell dramatic changes for the Caucasus.
With proximity and ethnic ties, both Armenia and Azerbaijan could face an influx of refugees in the event of a prolonged conflict.
Armenia Under Pressure from Hybrid Attacks: who is Spreading Disinformation and Why
By Armine Martirosyan
Armenia’s Foreign Intelligence Service of Armenia disclosed some details of the hybrid attacks in its annual report.
Local media experts also monitor the situation. They say Russian bot networks and Azerbaijani propaganda outlets spread most of the fake content. Political analyst Boris Navasardyan spoke about the campaign targeting Armenia, the differences between Russia’s and Azerbaijan’s goals, the potential risks and ways to counter disinformation.