PEACE Act without peace Who is undermining Trump’s peace initiatives?

Republican congressmen Darrell Issa and Gus Bilirakis have introduced the “Preventing Escalation and Advancing Caucasus Engagement Act” (PEACE Act) to the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill envisions “To impose sanctions with respect to Azerbaijan upon renewed acts of aggression […] against the Republic of Armenia.”

As we can see, despite the harmonious title of this initiative, behind the façade of peace-oriented rhetoric lie crude political bias, cynicism, and a one-sided approach. The authors of this bill are once again attempting to impose on the international community a distorted picture of the region, where Armenia is traditionally portrayed as a “potential victim” and Azerbaijan as a “possible aggressor.”

Such an approach not only distorts reality but also undermines the very principles of justice and balance on which the decisions of the American legislature should be based. For if one examines the history of the Armenian–Azerbaijani conflict without ideological blinders, the facts are evident: it was Armenia that, for nearly three decades, kept 20 percent of Azerbaijan’s internationally recognised territory under occupation, drove hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis from their homes under threat of death, and turned entire cities into ruins — for instance, Aghdam, dubbed the “Hiroshima of the Caucasus” as a symbol of barbarity and devastation.

The authors of the PEACE Act deliberately omit from this document any mention of the UN Security Council resolutions or the missile strikes launched from Armenian territory against peaceful Azerbaijani cities during the 44-day war of 2020. In Ganja, Barda, and Tartar, dozens of civilians were killed — these facts are well-documented and were witnessed by the entire international community. Yet for the authors of the bill, it seems that only one version of the “truth” exists — the Armenian one. And this despite the fact that the Republic of Armenia has never been held accountable for these crimes: not a single sanctions package against Yerevan, not a single serious political demarche. On the contrary, Western capitals have consistently found excuses for it. This is a textbook example of double standards.

Recalling all this, one inevitably arrives at the obvious conclusion that the initiative put forward by Issa and Bilirakis is not merely an unfriendly move towards Azerbaijan. It is an outright provocation, one that could jeopardise the fragile diplomatic balance currently taking shape between Baku and Yerevan — especially given that on 8 August 2025, Azerbaijan and Armenia initialled the text of a peace treaty and signed the Washington Declaration. All this was the result of a complex, step-by-step diplomatic effort, in which the President of the United States himself played a mediating role.

And here lies the paradox: two Republican congressmen are effectively undermining the efforts of their own head of state. The White House has repeatedly expressed its interest in the prompt signing of a peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia. And yet, a bill emerges that directly contradicts this policy, placing all responsibility on one side while encouraging the other. This is nothing short of political sabotage in favour of the Armenian lobby in the United States — a group whose interests, as history shows, too often outweigh America’s own national interests.

It must be acknowledged that the Armenian diaspora remains one of the most active and financially powerful communities in the United States. Its influence in Congress is considerable, and each new electoral cycle brings another wave of initiatives inspired and driven by its lobbying efforts.

Unfortunately, the history of American politics has repeatedly shown how certain politicians have sought to please the Armenian lobby and build their careers on biased initiatives. Yet such manoeuvres often end in disgrace. A striking example is Senator Robert Menendez — once the chief advocate of Armenian interests in Congress — who is now serving a sentence on charges of corruption and bribery. Cases like his should give the aforementioned congressmen pause for thought.

Peace cannot be built on falsehoods and prejudice. The attempt to portray Azerbaijan as an “aggressor” and Armenia as an “innocent victim” runs counter to facts, international law, and common sense — as well as to the national interests of the United States, which needs a strong ally like Azerbaijan in the South Caucasus.

Unfortunately, the history of American politics has repeatedly shown how certain politicians have sought to please the Armenian lobby and build their careers on biased initiatives. Yet such manoeuvres often end in disgrace. A striking example is Senator Robert Menendez — once the chief advocate of Armenian interests in Congress — who is now serving a sentence on charges of corruption and bribery. Cases like his should give the aforementioned congressmen pause for thought.

Peace cannot be built on falsehoods and prejudice. The attempt to portray Azerbaijan as an “aggressor” and Armenia as an “innocent victim” runs counter to facts, international law, and common sense — as well as to the national interests of the United States, which needs a strong ally like Azerbaijan in the South Caucasus.

We should not overlook the domestic context. The U.S. Congress is currently experiencing one of the most tense periods in recent years. The government shutdown has inflicted massive losses on the American economy. Budgetary disputes, which have paralysed the functioning of federal institutions, are fueling social discontent, while congressional approval ratings are plummeting.

Under these circumstances, it would make far more sense to focus on addressing internal problems, minimising economic losses, stabilising the situation, and restoring public trust. Yet, instead, certain congressmen choose to expend political capital on adopting overtly provocative anti-Azerbaijani measures — measures that have nothing to do with American interests or the real situation in the Caucasus. As a famous politician of the past once said, this is more than a crime. It is a mistake.