Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has escalated tensions in the South Caucasus by labeling Armenia a "source of threat" to the region and demanding conditions that undermine Armenia's sovereignty. His calls for disarmament, forced territorial concessions through the Zangezur Corridor, and constitutional changes in Armenia reflect a strategy aimed at weakening the democratic nation.

Aliyev’s insistence on halting international arms supplies to Armenia and opening a corridor connecting Azerbaijan to Turkey has raised alarms in Yerevan and among global observers. These demands, framed as necessary for peace, appear designed to isolate Armenia and strengthen Azerbaijan’s geopolitical dominance.

The United States, while maintaining a strategic partnership with Azerbaijan, faces growing pressure to defend democratic Armenia against coercion. As the largest U.S. trading partner in the Caucasus, Azerbaijan wields significant leverage, particularly in energy markets. However, balancing these interests with the protection of Armenia’s sovereignty and democratic progress is increasingly urgent.

Aliyev’s rhetoric and demands risk deepening instability in the South Caucasus. The Zangezur Corridor, a flashpoint for Armenia, threatens to fragment its territorial integrity. Meanwhile, calls for disarmament ignore Armenia’s right to self-defense, especially given Azerbaijan’s growing military capabilities.

For the United States and its allies, this moment calls for clear support for Armenia’s sovereignty. Failure to act decisively risks emboldening authoritarian strategies in the region, undermining democratic principles and the fragile stability of the South Caucasus. The stakes are high, and the international response in the coming months could shape the region’s trajectory for years to come.