In a press briefing on Tuesday, former ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom, Sam Brownback, along with other Christian leaders, expressed concerns about the ongoing conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia and its impact on Christian communities in the near east. Brownback's statements came shortly after his visit to Armenia with the Christian human rights group Philos Project.

Brownback, described Azerbaijan's invasion of Armenia and the ongoing blockade of the 90,000 Nagorno-Karabakh region as a form of "religious cleansing" targeting the Christian nation. He emphasized that Azerbaijan, with the support of Turkey, is gradually suffocating Nagorno-Karabakh, aiming to make the region uninhabitable for its Armenian-Christian population and forcing them to leave.

Sam Brownback urged immediate U.S. intervention to prevent the forced displacement of another ancient Christian population from their homeland. He called for the passage of a "Nagorno-Karabakh Human Rights Act" by Congress, ensuring security guarantees for the people of Nagorno-Karabakh. He also stressed the need to reinstate sanctions on Azerbaijan if the blockade persists. Brownback highlighted the unique aspect of this situation, where the religious cleansing is supported by U.S.-supplied weaponry and backed by Turkey, a NATO member.

Armenia, located between Turkey and Azerbaijan, has a long history of Christianity. The majority of its population is Christian, according to a 2019 report by the U.S. State Department. The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh stems from competing claims by Armenia and Azerbaijan after the Soviet Union's dissolution. Armenia gained control over Nagorno-Karabakh following the First Nagorno-Karabakh War in 1994.

In September 2020, tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan escalated into a full-scale military conflict as Azerbaijani troops aimed to seize control of the disputed region. The conflict lasted approximately two months until a peace agreement, brokered by Russia, was reached in November.

As a result of the conflict, Azerbaijan gained control over significant portions of the region, leaving Armenia with only the narrow "Lachin corridor" as its access point to Nagorno-Karabakh.

According to a study published in the Population Research and Policy Review, an estimated 3,822 Armenians and at least 2,906 Azerbaijanis lost their lives during the 2020 conflict.

The ongoing blockade of the Lachin corridor by Azerbaijan is causing significant harm to Armenian infrastructure in Nagorno-Karabakh. Robert Nicholson, the President of Philos Project, emphasized the urgency and existential threat faced by Armenia, stating that it is facing the possibility of genocide for the second time in a century. He referred to the Armenian genocide recognized by the U.S. but strongly rejected by Turkey.

The blockade has had severe consequences, including the inability to deliver 500 tons of humanitarian equipment to Nagorno-Karabakh. Since March, the region has been deprived of natural gas, and other energy supplies, such as electricity, are unreliable. This has resulted in separated families, canceled surgeries, and a desperate situation for the approximately 120,000 people residing in Nagorno-Karabakh.

While the media often portrays the Armenian-Azerbaijani war as a territorial dispute, both Brownback and Nicholson emphasize that the conflict is rooted in ideology and religion.

Nicholson states that the dispute goes beyond territorial issues and reflects a clash of values. He highlights that the Armenian demands are minimal, centered on the desire to live securely in their homeland.

Despite the challenges they face, Nicholson believes that the Armenian Christian communities' situation is not without hope. He describes Armenia as a vibrant country, and he sees an opportunity for the United States to play a constructive role in facilitating a peaceful and just resolution to the conflict, considering that both parties involved are allies.