Conditioning US Security Aid: Azerbaijan Withdrawal and Armenia Defense Support.
This bill requires the US Secretary of Defense to annually certify that Azerbaijan has taken specific steps toward peace with Armenia, including withdrawing troops and releasing prisoners. If certification fails, the US must immediately review and potentially increase security assistance to Armenia while simultaneously restricting the President's ability to waive limitations on aid to Azerbaijan. This legislation ties US foreign policy and financial commitments directly to the actions of foreign governments in the South Caucasus region.
Key points
Annual Certification Requirement: The Secretary of Defense must confirm that Azerbaijan has withdrawn forces from Armenia, released prisoners, and committed to protecting Armenian rights and cultural sites in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Consequence of Non-Certification: If conditions are not met, the US must conduct an immediate review and recommend increased military assistance for Armenia to address defense gaps.
Aid Restriction on Azerbaijan: Failure to certify disqualifies the President from exercising the waiver authority regarding certain US assistance to Azerbaijan.
Introduced
Citizen Poll