The Brutal Blockade of Armenians Reveals the Collapse of the World Order: Los Angeles Times

When Putin signed a military and diplomatic cooperation declaration with Ilham Aliyev just two days before the invasion of Ukraine, it created a horrific crisis that rages alongside the Russian war but attracts much less international attention. This is reported by the Los Angeles Times.

The declaration strengthened ties between the two countries and gave Azerbaijan a blank check to use violence against the Armenians in the region. Azerbaijan launched an attack on Armenia in September. In December, a decision was made to take 120,000 Armenians hostage from Nagorno-Karabakh by blocking their only transportation connection to the outside world.

Prisoners of war have been executed. There are reports of the torture of prisoners of war and civilian detainees. Human life is being devalued as autocrats seek to impose political decisions on their terms. Aliyev is trying to suffocate the Armenian population to achieve a desired political outcome. Food, supplies, and medical assistance cannot be delivered. There is an energy shortage. People cannot leave; families remain divided.

The Armenians are under blockade, while the Russians are not providing peace. Instead, Russia has made it clear to Armenians that their “western paths” – democracy and open, free society – are not only undesirable but also punishable. Azerbaijan seeks to establish control over the territory without those who want to continue democracy where they have lived for almost 30 years.

The actions of Azerbaijan can only change through pressure or sanctions from the international community. Armenians now stand as a bulwark of freedom in a restless neighborhood, and they are paying the price with a winter blockade – completely isolated and defenseless.