Describing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Biden referred to Putin’s “sinister vision for the future of our world — one where nations take what they want by force.” The same words can equally be applied to Azerbaijan, and so too should Biden’s response, that “it is a vision that the United States and freedom-loving nations everywhere will oppose.” Given Azerbaijan’s ongoing flagrant violation of Armenia’s sovereignty and the severe threat it poses to peace, stability, and democracy, the United States should make decisive moves to support Armenian democracy.

The first and easiest step the Biden administration should take is to immediately reinstate Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act, ending the flow of more than 100 million dollars in military aid to Azerbaijan. Despite promising to enforce Section 907, since taking office Biden has twice issued waivers allowing continued funding for Azerbaijan’s military. The second waiver came just months after the Government Accountability Office found the Department of State and Department of Defense had failed to meet requirements demonstrating that aid to Azerbaijan would not be used for offensive purposes. If the United States is serious about promoting democracy and bolstering a rules-based international order, it cannot continue to fund the military of an autocratic regime that consistently violates the borders of its democratic neighbor.

There is already considerable and growing support in Congress to end military aid to Azerbaijan. On Wednesday, a draft resolution was introduced to the House of Representatives condemning Azerbaijan’s “flagrant violation of international law” and calling “for all assistance to Azerbaijan to be immediately ceased.” The resolution would find ready support in the diverse group of representatives and senators, ranging from Marco Rubio to Chuck Schumer, that have issued statements condemning Azerbaijan’s invasion.

While ending military assistance is a vital first step in holding Azerbaijan for its abhorrent war crimes and violation of Armenia’s sovereignty, the United States must also deepen its lasting engagement in the South Caucasus to ensure Azerbaijan does not renew its invasion at the next available opportunity. Pelosi’s visit to Armenia is a promising sign that the Biden administration is committed to maintaining peace and stability in the region, but it will have little effect if the eyes of the United States turn elsewhere and Azerbaijan is allowed to continue its assault. If the United States uses its influence to prevent Azerbaijan from launching a new invasion, it will find an eager partner in the people of Armenia—and an island of democracy in a region increasingly sliding towards dictatorship.

Raffi Toghramadjian graduated from Boston College in 2021 with a double major in Political Science and Finance. While at Boston College he wrote a senior honors thesis on the 2020 war between Armenia and Azerbaijan. He currently lives and works in New York City.

Image: Reuters.