A Rare Display of Bipartisan Consensus
In an uncommon display of bipartisan unity, the United States Senate last week voted by a unanimous margin of 100–0 to suspend all military and financial assistance to Azerbaijan for a period of two years. This landmark action, enshrined in the newly enacted Armenian Protection Act, was motivated by mounting concerns over Azerbaijan’s intentions toward neighboring Armenia and the increasingly dire humanitarian situation in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. By conditioning U.S. aid on strict adherence to ethical standards and respect for human rights, the Senate has sent a clear message regarding America’s expectations of its foreign partners.
Setting the Stage: Rising Tensions in the South Caucasus
The South Caucasus has long been a region fraught with ethnic, territorial, and geopolitical tensions. Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the contested territory of Nagorno-Karabakh has been the flashpoint between Armenia and Azerbaijan, with both countries staking claims to the predominantly ethnic-Armenian enclave. Over decades, the region has witnessed intermittent clashes and ceasefires, yet the humanitarian toll has grown more severe in recent months.
In late 2024 and early 2025, reports emerged that Azerbaijani forces were amassing troops along the borders of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. International observers warned that the scale and nature of these deployments indicated preparations for a full-scale military operation. Concurrently, a blockade of key supply routes precipitated shortages of food, medicine, and fuel within Nagorno-Karabakh, further imperiling its civilian population.
Against this backdrop of mounting alarm, the Armenian Protection Act was introduced in the Senate. Its sponsors argued that conditioning U.S. support on Azerbaijan’s compliance with basic humanitarian norms was both appropriate and necessary.
The Armenian Protection Act: An Overview
The Armenian Protection Act, sponsored by Senator Gary Peters (D–Mich.), establishes a two-year moratorium on all U.S. military and economic aid to Azerbaijan. The legislation specifies that any further assistance would be contingent upon demonstrable improvements in Azerbaijan’s treatment of ethnic Armenians and a cessation of hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Key provisions include:
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Aid Suspension: A complete freeze on Foreign Military Financing (FMF), International Military Education and Training (IMET), and certain development funds for a period of 24 months.
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Reporting Requirements: Quarterly reports to Congress assessing Azerbaijan’s compliance with human rights obligations and transparency in governance.
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Humanitarian Carve-Out: Exemptions allowing non-governmental organizations and international relief agencies to continue delivering life-saving assistance within Nagorno-Karabakh.
The Act passed the Senate by unanimous consent—a procedural mechanism that allows swift approval of non-controversial measures without roll-call votes. That the legislation achieved unanimous consent underscores the depth of concern among both parties about the unfolding crisis.
The Humanitarian Calamity in Nagorno-Karabakh
For nearly nine months, Nagorno-Karabakh’s 120,000 civilian residents have endured a suffocating siege by Azerbaijani forces. Humanitarian aid convoys have been repeatedly turned away or delayed at checkpoints, resulting in severe shortages of essential supplies. Hospitals in the region have been forced to ration medical care, while elderly and disabled civilians face heightened risk owing to limited mobility and disrupted services.
International human rights organizations have characterized the blockade as collective punishment, and some have accused Azerbaijan of engaging in de facto ethnic cleansing. The exodus of over 100,000 ethnic Armenians—many fleeing under harrowing conditions—has strained Armenia’s resources and prompted urgent calls for international relief efforts.
By conditioning U.S. aid on the alleviation of this crisis, the Armenian Protection Act leverages American influence to pressure Azerbaijan into reopening routes for humanitarian assistance and to halt any actions that target civilians or seek to alter the region’s demographic composition.
Senator Gary Peters: Championing Accountability
During floor debate, Senator Peters delivered a forceful address underscoring the importance of tying U.S. assistance to adherence to human rights standards. As a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, he emphasized:
