As the world reacts to the horrors committed by Hamas in Israel, Glenn wants to bring attention to another tragedy as well: Azerbaijan's continued genocide of the Armenian people. Former International Religious Freedom Ambassador at Large Samuel Brownback joins Glenn to explain the current crisis as Azerbaijan attempts to cut off an Armenian enclave: "This is yet another ancient Christian population being driven out of the Middle East region." And he argues that this is yet another move by the "Axis of Evil" countries to gain power around the world as the United States looks the other way. So, what should the country — and we the people — do?
Transcript
Below is a rush transcript that may contain errors
GLENN: Something that hasn't gotten attention, that should have is what's happening in Armenia. And all I can think of is -- Kurcrapistan.
But it's Azerbaijan. Thank you, Stu.
In Azerbaijan. There's a liquidation going on. A genocide going on.
Again, of the Armenian people. The Armenian people are the first -- that's the first Christian nation on earth.
And it is the -- it is the Armenian Genocide. Around World War I, that actually taught Hitler, I can go just erase a whole bunch of people, and the world won't say anything about it.
You know, when they say that history repeats itself, some will say, no, it doesn't. Well, maybe it rhymes.
This is history repeating itself.
Currently, under the gun. The liquidation of Christians, Armenian Christians, and Jews.
Ambassador Brownback is with us now. Sam Brownback. He's the National Committee for the Religious Freedom -- he's chairman of that.
He's also an ambassador at large and former Kansas governor and good friend of the program. Sam, how are you, sir?
SAM: Hey, I'm doing well, Glenn. And thank you for addressing this topic. It's just getting precious little play, and more people need to know about.
GLENN: We have been following it, from really the beginning. We've been doing it quietly. Because there's not a lot of people that know about it. And it's getting no play. And it needs to be understood.
So you were just there. Can you -- you can tell us what's happening?
SAM: Yes. You've got Turkey. Basically, behind Azerbaijan. And it's best to think of Azerbaijan like Belarus is to Russia. Turkey is the puppet master here.
And they are pushing and allowing and giving military armament to Azerbaijan, as we have.
And they're -- they're pushing to have this done, while the Biden administration is looking another way. Or is being reckless in our response.
That's basically what has happened. They have long-term wanted Armenia and these Christian enclaves out of there. It's a bone in their throat. Erdogan, the head of Turkey is an Islamist. He wants to take over the world. Certainly, this region. And he's doing this while the United States is distracted.
GLENN: We have 100,000 refugees in you, from this region in Azerbaijan.
It is -- it's almost like a Native American reservation here in America. It's right smack in the middle, surrounded by Azerbaijan.
But it's Armenian. And there's this corridor, that connects to Armenia. And they have been starving these people out.
They have been cutting off everything.
About 100,000 have escaped. How many more are there?
SAM: Probably 20,000, that are still there.
But here again, Glenn, and this is the big point to me, is this is yet another ancient Christian population, being driven out of this Middle East, kind of extended region.
And what will happen, they will go to Armenia.
They'll be absorbed into Europe, into the United States. Australia, Canada, but it will be another one gone.
And we just kind of -- we have had tools to sanctions Azerbaijan, to sanction Turkey.
To press, and put some real teeth out there.
We can stop the army in Azerbaijan, and we have not used any of these tools that are readily available to the administration.
GLENN: How connected is this, to what's happening in Israel?
SAM: Well, I argued that Armenia is to Christendom, what Israel is to Judaism. It's kind of the first, and Israel is the only Jewish nation, and Armenia is the first. And you've got Muslim populations surrounding both.
Trying to kick them out.
And this is a play you see often, in the Middle East.
Where there's just not tolerance for Christians or Jews. And that's why I've been pushing so much for religious freedom for everybody, everywhere. And this is the standard by which governments and nations should stand by.
And we're certainly not seeing it taking place in either of these situations.
GLENN: Talking to ambassador Sam Brownback.
Sam, the -- the administration, you know, you say is asleep at the switch.
But I have a hard time believing that all of these things. I mean, if you see what is -- how much money this administration has been sending Iran without us even really knowing it. They're on the wrong side of things.
But would you say that this is the way the world looks? If we don't turn America around?
SAM: Yes. Look, what you've -- you've got an axis of evil. Evil axis. Malign evil. Whatever you want to call it. Between Iran, Russia, and China.
And they are out to take over the world.
And they have been losing ground.
But now, they are out there pushing to gain background.
So Russia goes after Ukraine.
Iran is behind Hamas and Hezbollah. And pushing on Israel.
Turkey, a regional player, is saying, let's go get these Armenians, which we have wanted to do, for a thousand years.
Let's do it now. While we have an administration in Washington, that won't -- that won't fight back.
Did use the tools that is available.
And I have no idea, honestly, Glenn. Why the Biden administration isn't doing more. They have the tools.
We have the ability to do this.
And we're simply not acting here.
GLENN: What do you suggest, Sam?
What can we do?
What can people do?
SAM: Well, they can push Congress.
And I -- I hope people, even will write the administration.
But they can -- Congress can step up and do -- and put this a lot more out there, on the -- on the map.
Would be something that people could help -- could help out with.
Because we've got to sanction Azerbaijan. We have to sanction Turkey.
And, right now, we have to really go after Iran. They're the puppet master on Hamas and Hezbollah. Hamas and Hezbollah do not act without Iran.
And we have been sending money to Iran. Instead of sanctioning Iran, as you point out.
This has to stop. And people need to yell about it. And call into radio programs. And put it out on their social media.
Iran and this axis of evil. And Turkey as a regional player, just seeking to take over the world, while we're not acting at all.
GLENN: Sam, I appreciate everything that you guys are doing.
You can tell me a little bit about the 125 reasons coalition?
ANN: It's a group of Christians and Jews, primarily, that are trying to stand up for this ancient, Christian population.
And saying, they need to be able to live, in their native homeland. That's been native to them. For thousands of years.
And not being driven out. And that's what this coalition is standing up and pushing.
And it's one of the coalitions that is trying to get some publicity. Some knowledge of the people out there. About this ancient Christian population
Of Armenians. That are primarily orthodox Christians. But love their faith. Love God.
And have been driven out. And in a second genocide.
GLENN: Senator, thank you so much -- or, sorry, Ambassador Brownback, thank you so much for being on with us.
Appreciate all you do.
SAM: Thank you, Glenn.
GLENN: You bet.
OneHundredTwentyThousandReasons.org. OneHundredTwentyThousandReasons.org.
This is something that everybody should check out. And you should share it with your church.
We have got to do more. There is -- Stu said to me, about 15 minutes ago. There's not a lot of good. I've not seen a lot of right in the world.
I am. And let me tell you about it.
As I said to Sam. And I don't even know if he knows this.
But the Nazarene Fund is on the ground.
In Armenia. And Azerbaijan.
We have been doing this, quietly, because there's -- you're -- you're so focused on other things.
But we know what's going on, and it's time now to pay attention.
Because it is -- with what happened in Iran, this is going to run all across the world.
So we are on the ground, right now, helping with temporary housing, and life-sustaining food and medicine.
We are looking to move those who are in danger, away from the border. And the dangerous areas.
There's 100,000 refugees, right now, in Armenia. Practice have and the media concern is just securing warm shelter.
Before the winter arrives.
It's unforgiving in Armenia.
We deployed in Armenia, began -- began our work there.
Preliminary results suggests 300 to 400 Armenians are unaccounted for. Some have chosen to remain in their home enclave, while others have feared being injured or killed or facing imminent danger from Azerbaijani forces.
Some of the casualties are the result of large explosions at a crowded gas station, which left dozens of dead people, and unaccounted.
We are in contact with 15 to 20 families, whose loved ones, predominantly men, are missing.
Our team has already located, recovered, and removed the remains of a father and his son, who were across the border, providing some closure for their families.
Also, residents of border towns, many of whom have family members, considered as war heroes, are currently under threat.
We're committed to their protection.
Our team has also begun extending financial assistance for rent and medical care and food, to numerous families.
There is grave concerns, that this is going to get much, much worse.
These are Christians. That just want to be left alone.
They are the oldest Christian nation.
And they are being liquidated.