‘U.S.-Armenia security ties are growing’, says President of Global ARM

Timothy Jemal, President of Global ARM, a U.S. nonprofit organization with a mission to build a strong and secure Armenia, talks to CivilNet’s Stella Mehrabekyan about Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s visit to the U.S. last week. A strong advocate for providing greater cooperation between the U.S. and Armenia, Jemal says the implementation of the U.S.-Armenia Strategic Partnership is now overseen by the Trump Administration. In his view, there is substantial bipartisan support in Congress for establishing a strong strategic partnership.

Pashinyan’s first visit to the U.S. under the Trump administration culminated in a White House meeting with Vice President JD Vance. The meeting sparked debate in Armenian political circles and media due to its informal nature, which some interpreted as a lack of proper diplomatic recognition by U.S. officials. Questions were also raised about the vice president’s limited authority in foreign policy. What do you make of all this?

Having a meeting with the newly elected vice president of the United States is important and not informal. While it’s true that the vice president’s actual authority over implementing U.S. foreign policy may be limited, he is likely to exert significant influence. As you may have seen, Vice President Vance also met with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu last week.

It would be a mistake to assume that Vice President Vance will not have influence over foreign policy. Since the end of World War II, several U.S. Vice Presidents have had significant influence over American foreign policy including Richard Nixon, George H.W. Bush and Dick Cheney.

Each U.S. Administration is different, and I believe Vice President Vance will be an active participant in foreign policy decision-making during the Trump Administration.

The substance of what was discussed at the meeting is most important and that there is a timely and ongoing follow-up from Armenia to establish trust and move forward on many common interests.

Global ARM remains confident that key decision-makers in the Trump Administration and from both parties in Congress are actively working to grow U.S.-Armenia ties.

Additionally and importantly, Azerbaijan has lost the narrative in Washington. The Aliyev regime keeps hiring lobbyists to buy more influence, but this does not change the facts. Their aggression against Armenia, consistent anti-American policies, and the ethnic cleansing of Nagorno-Karabakh are well known by the Trump Administration and Congress. The veil has been lifted and people in both parties see right through Baku’s deception.

Armenia is viewed as a strong and growing U.S. partner, and we expect legislation and policies from Washington to continue strengthening ties while holding Azerbaijan accountable.

Pashinyan’s visit agenda included several key stops: the International Religious Freedom Summit, the Atlantic Council, meetings with members of Congress and a senator, and an engagement with the Armenian-American community. There was an expectation for more diplomatic official meetings. Why do you think this did not happen?

Addressing the International Religious Freedom Summit, National Prayer Breakfast and the Atlantic Council as well as meeting with the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee and other members of Congress are important in furthering U.S.-Armenia ties.

Of course, it is always better to secure as many meetings as possible with key decision-makers. We are less than one month into the Trump Administration with many Cabinet officials still awaiting confirmation. When the Prime Minister is in Washington, each moment must be spent strategically to advance bilateral relations in all areas. To make the most of a visit to the U.S. from a head of state requires significant advanced preparation. I anticipate many additional meetings to occur over the next few months that will reinforce the strength of U.S.-Armenia ties.

U.S.-Armenia relations are a priority in Washington. Global ARM has already conducted dozens of meetings in Congress and with the Trump Administration to advance our priorities: advocating for stronger U.S.-Armenia economic and security ties, justice for Armenians for the crimes committed against them by Azerbaijan, the right of return for Artsakh Armenians, withdrawal of Azerbaijani military forces from sovereign Armenian territory, and the immediate and unconditional release of Armenian hostages illegally held in Baku.

The current state of U.S.-Armenia has never been stronger since Armenia became independent. It’s imperative to take advantage of each opportunity to strengthen ties and demonstrate that a strong U.S.-Armenia relationship is important to American strategic interests.

The community meeting itself became a point of contention, with critics arguing it failed to include broad representation from the Armenian-American diaspora. The meeting’s format and participant selection have prompted discussions about its effectiveness and inclusivity.

I, along with dozens of others, attended the community meeting at the Armenian Embassy. That does not mean that others should not have been invited.

I would encourage the government to consider live-streaming future gatherings so that those not in attendance can view the event.

From a broader perspective, the Armenian government would be well-served to do a better job of strengthening ties with the Diaspora. There is never going to be unanimity on many issues, but the Diaspora overwhelmingly wants a strong and free Armenian state as well as justice for ethnic Armenians who have been victims of heinous crimes committed by Azerbaijan.

In this context, Diaspora Armenians should be encouraged by the Armenian Government to live, work and invest in Armenia. Most Diaspora Armenians are simply pro-Armenia and want to find ways to contribute to a homeland they love. For example, creating Armenia Bonds should be considered as well as other ways for Diasporans to make financial investments to develop every sector of Armenia’s economy. The Armenian government should foster practical pathways to investment opportunities and cultural exchanges.

Non-governmental organizations such as Birthright Armenia excel at connecting young Diaspora Armenians with their ancestral homeland. The Armenian government should lead efforts to connect Diaspora Armenians of all ages to their homeland by offering concrete opportunities to invest in strengthening Armenia.

A key topic of interest is the Armenian-American strategic document signed during Biden’s final days in office. There’s uncertainty about its future under Trump’s administration, particularly regarding what specific agreements might emerge from this framework. What concrete outcomes will this strategic partnership have?

The implementation of the U.S.-Armenia Strategic Partnership is now overseen by the Trump Administration. There is substantial bipartisan support in Congress for establishing a strong Strategic Partnership. During his time in the Senate, Senator Marco Rubio was a staunch advocate for Armenia and one of the most outspoken defenders of holding dictators accountable for human rights violations. His rise to U.S. Secretary of State with a unanimous confirmation vote bodes well for strengthening ties, holding Azerbaijan accountable, and deterring Aliyev from pursuing his policies of hatred and aggression against Armenians.

I believe the Trump Administration, with support from Congress and think tanks, will move in a positive direction to implement this partnership.

While energy collaboration is important, the security aspect of any agreement is particularly crucial. In this respect, would the U.S. consider providing military aid to Armenia, and importantly opening the US weapons sales to the country.

U.S.-Armenia security ties are growing. Much of Global ARM’s lobbying work is focused on strengthening the U.S.-Armenia security relationship. As a result, last year, for the first time, the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee requested that the Pentagon seek ways to enhance U.S.-Armenia security ties. We expect the U.S. Department of Defense to identify ways to build on the existing defense relationship and joint exercises, especially since the Strategic Partnership Agreement includes an entire pillar focused on defense and security. This is an important opportunity for the Trump Administration to make modest investments in security cooperation while actively deterring Azerbaijan from launching reckless new aggression that is counter to U.S. interests and will destabilize the entire South Caucasus region.