Against the backdrop of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the international community has been focused on combating authoritarian aggression. However, amidst this attention, the recent unprovoked assault by Azerbaijan on Nagorno-Karabakh has gone largely unnoticed. With dozens dead and thousands displaced, it is evident that not all crises are given equal importance.
The Unignorable Reality:
During President Joe Biden’s recent United Nations General Assembly address, he rightly questioned whether the abandonment of core principles would lead member states to feel protected. However, just hours prior to his speech, Azerbaijan launched an unprovoked assault on Nagorno-Karabakh, following months of blockading the region and inflicting severe hardships on its Armenian population. This blockade, resulting in shortages of vital supplies, had left the indigenous Armenians in a position of dependence and subservience, thus forcing many to contemplate leaving their homes. Trapped between a dire situation and the uncertainty of fleeing persecution, Armenian lives hang in the balance.
The Neglected Response:
Despite a ceasefire being announced following the recent assault, the United States had ample opportunity to prevent this crisis but opted to prioritize energy ties with authoritarian Azerbaijan over the imminent threat to Armenian lives. By not holding Azerbaijan accountable for its blockade and emboldening its coercive diplomacy, the U.S. turned a blind eye to the plight of the Armenian people. Instead of standing firmly against aggression, the U.S. appeared content with waiting for desperation to force Armenians to accept Azerbaijan’s terms. This neglect must be addressed to prevent further atrocities.
Learning from Past Mistakes:
The U.S. must learn from its past mistakes and make it unmistakably clear that acts of aggression will not be rewarded. With negotiations on the horizon between Azerbaijan and Karabakh’s Armenians, the fate and security of the region’s Armenian population need to be assured. However, given Azerbaijan’s record of violating international conventions, it is clear that they cannot be trusted with the safety of the Armenian people.
Accountability and Action:
Prominent legal experts have already warned that Azerbaijan’s actions constitute a violation of international conventions, including the United Nations Genocide Convention. Failure to hold Azerbaijan accountable places ethnic communities at a high risk of further tragedy. The U.S. must not only make strong statements but translate them into meaningful action. Suspending military assistance to Baku, in line with the provisions of Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act, would demonstrate a firm commitment to preventing further atrocities.
Targeting Human Rights Abusers:
To strengthen its stance, the U.S. should apply targeted sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Act to Azerbaijani officials complicit in human rights abuses. Additionally, the upcoming emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council provides an important opportunity for the Biden administration to pursue guarantees for Nagorno-Karabakh’s Armenians. These guarantees should include the deployment of an international peacekeeping force and a humanitarian mission to protect Armenians from potential harm.
The Test of Commitment:
How the U.S. responds to Azerbaijan’s assault on Nagorno-Karabakh will be a test of its commitment not only to combating authoritarian expansionism but also to preventing further atrocities. Failing to change course not only endangers the survival of Nagorno-Karabakh’s Armenians but also sends a dangerous signal to despots worldwide. It is imperative that the U.S. stands as a stalwart defender of justice and human rights, ensuring that no crisis goes neglected or unnoticed.
Market Capital Research 