What DC Doesn't Get About Armenian Genocide | RealClearPolitics

RealClearPolitics

by Stephan Pechdimaldji, National Interest

February 22, 2026

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The article "What DC Doesn't Get About Armenian Genocide" critiques the lack of understanding and acknowledgment within U.S. political circles regarding the Armenian Genocide, which occurred during World War I when the Ottoman Empire systematically exterminated 1.5 million Armenians. The piece argues that this historical atrocity remains underappreciated in Washington, leading to missed opportunities for addressing contemporary issues tied to Turkey and Armenia's role in U.S. foreign policy. The author highlights how historical amnesia in U.S. foreign policy stems from a focus on maintaining strategic ties with Turkey, a NATO ally, while downplaying or ignoring the Armenian Genocide. This oversight perpetuates a strained relationship with Armenia and its diaspora, who see it as a failure of moral leadership by the United States. The article also points out that the lack of recognition undermines efforts to promote justice and healing in the region. Furthermore, the piece emphasizes how this issue ties into broader Middle East dynamics, particularly regarding Kurdish rights and the ongoing conflict between Armenia and Turkey. By failing to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide, the U.S. risks perpetuating cycles of violence and instability in the region. The article concludes by urging policymakers to prioritize truth and justice over short-term strategic interests, recognizing that addressing this historical injustice could foster stronger alliances and a more stable Middle East.

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Originally published on RealClearPolitics on 2/22/2026