Standing with Persecuted Armenian Christians: A Moral and Strategic Imperative
The world is rife with religious persecution, and Armenian Christians are among those being targeted. For people of faith in the United States, the moral imperative to support our Armenian brothers and sisters can't be overstated.
Christians bear a biblical responsibility to be the voice of the persecuted church and the first to speak up on their behalf.
Not only is this issue a biblical obligation for Christians in the United States, but in the broader geopolitical context, Armenia is also the key to stability in the Caucasus region.
Armenia holds a unique place in history as the first nation to adopt Christianity as its official faith in AD 301.
This profound heritage, however, has often come at a steep price.
Over the centuries, Armenian Christians have faced waves of persecution, most notably during the Armenian Genocide in 1915, where over a million and a half Armenian Christians were killed by the Ottoman Empire.
The American Church responded to this tragedy by raising significant financial and humanitarian support that helped sustain the Armenian people.
However, Armenian Christians continue to be targeted. Throughout 2023, Azerbaijan carried out a vigorous campaign of ethnic cleansing against Armenians, during which they displaced 120,000 Armenian Christians and destroyed churches, cemeteries, and holy sites that date back centuries.
Much of the world was silent, and the church must speak up.
As the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere," so now is the time for us to unify and speak out for our Christian brothers and sisters.
Beyond the moral and faith imperative, Armenia occupies a critical geopolitical position directly impacting regional national security interests.
At the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Armenia is bordered by Iran to the south, Georgia to the north, Turkey to the west, and Azerbaijan to the east.
This strategic location makes Armenia a pivotal player in the stability of the Caucasus.
Over the last five years, Armenia has made significant moves away from the Russian orbit of influence and embraced closer ties to the West.
It recently ordered the removal of Russian border guards from its territory and announced that it would inevitably leave the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).
Additionally, Armenia and the U.S. recently upgraded their relationship from a Strategic Dialogue to a Strategic Partnership.
By supporting Armenia, the United States reinforces its commitment to democracy and the rule of law in a region where authoritarianism and instability often reign.
Moreover, a secure Armenia is critical to establishing regional peace and security.
As part of this security consideration, the United States must implement proactive policies communicating U.S. priorities.
The U.S. must clearly signal a willingness to target Azerbaijan’s hydrocarbon industry with sanctions in the event of further Azeri aggression.
Should Azerbaijan threaten Armenia further, strong diplomatic and economic pressure must be employed to ensure that Baku understands that violence and regional instability will not be tolerated.
As Christians, our call to stand with persecuted Armenian Christians is both a moral and spiritual mandate.
As Americans, our support for Armenia aligns with our national security interests and values of democracy and freedom.
It's time for us to heed this call to action, to advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves, and to ensure that Armenia remains a beacon of faith and resilience in a tumultuous region.
I urge all people of faith and Americans to unite in this cause.
Later this week I will be visiting this ancient Christian land with a delegation of notable leaders to learn and stand in solidarity with Armenia.
Let us stand together, pray, and take concrete action to support our Armenian brothers and sisters and uphold the principles that define us as a nation and as followers of Christ.
Dr. Alveda King serves as Chair of the Center for the American Dream at the America First Policy Institute. Read More of her Reports — Here.
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