ANCA

09/07/2026

ANCA Summer Spotlight: Alek Saravia, a rising senior at Laguna Beach High School in Laguna Beach, CA, hopes to study history or cultures at a four-year university with the goal of becoming a high school teacher or college professor.

Alek serves as President of Walking For Water, the youth arm of an international humanitarian organization devoted to bringing clean water and education to communities across the globe. He hopes to use his knowledge of history to teach both Armenian youth and his peers about the importance of Armenian identity.

"I cannot wait to use every resource available to me through the Kasparian Summer Academy, not only to learn more about the Armenian Cause, but also to make connections to further my professional career," Alek says.

The ANCA is proud to host Alek as part of the Kasparian Summer Academy and looks forward to supporting his path toward a career educating the next generation about Armenian history and identity.

Learn more about ANCA's youth empowerment programs at anca.org/youth.

09/07/2026

Azerbaijan's genocidal ethnic cleansing emptied Artsakh of its Armenian Christians. Now it is erasing the evidence that they were ever there.

"The Tangible Cultural Monuments of the Republic of Artsakh" documents 5,658 Armenian monuments built across three millennia in Artsakh - churches and monasteries, cemeteries and gravestones, khachkars (carved cross-stones), fortresses, and the ordinary structures of Armenian village life: bridges, springs, water mills, and homes. Two volumes. 1,088 pages. Photographs of the sites, many published for the first time.

Martakert region alone holds 1,784 of them. Askeran, 1,136. Shahumyan, 818. Shushi, 581.

"Our publication is a testament to the enduring resilience of Artsakh's indigenous Armenians and the significance of safeguarding and preserving our Christian heritage," stated co-author Dr. Vahram Balayan, Professor of Historical Sciences.

Azerbaijan's method appears in the book's own pages. Standing in the courtyard of Tsakur Monastery in Hadrut in March 2021, Ilham Aliyev ordered the obliteration of its Armenian inscriptions: "All these inscriptions are fake. They were engraved in later years. In reality, the church is Caucasian-Albanian."

Co-author Melanya Balayan, Associate Professor and Candidate of Historical Sciences, remarked, "We aim to ensure that the rich cultural tapestry of Artsakh is not forgotten amidst current attempts of state-sponsored erasure."

Four Artsakh historians produced this record: Dr. Vahram Balayan, Melanya Balayan, Lernik Hovhannisyan, and Slava Sargsyan. Published by Spiritual Artsakh NGO. Funded by the Vahe Fattal Foundation, a Boston-based nonprofit honoring the artist and graphic designer who created the flag of the Republic of Artsakh. Simon Beugekian translated it into English.

Take action:

1) Download both volumes for free, in English and Armenian, at artsakhculturalheritage.org

2) Urge your U.S. Representative to cosponsor H.R.6840, the ARMENIA Security Partnership Act, at anca.org/ArmeniaAct - conditioning U.S. military aid to Azerbaijan on preserving Armenian heritage, releasing Armenian hostages, recognizing Artsakh Armenians' right of return, and supporting Armenia's security and sovereignty.

H.R.6840 requires the Secretary of Defense to certify Azerbaijan has met those conditions. Absent that certification, the President is barred from waiving Section 907 restrictions - cutting off U.S. military aid to Baku.

09/07/2026

ANCA Summer Spotlight: Shaunt Jabagchourian, a rising junior at Junipero Serra High School in San Mateo, CA, is an active member of the Armenian Youth Federation and Homenetmen.

Attending a school with a small Armenian population, Shaunt has taken it upon himself to educate his peers — previously giving a class presentation on the Armenian Genocide and pushing to keep classmates informed about the issues facing Armenians today.

"I joined the ANCA Summer Academy because I want to learn more about Armenians as a whole. By doing so, I would love to pass down my knowledge to non-Armenian people who don't know much about Armenia," Shaunt says. "I'm glad to be working with ANCA and can't wait to learn more!"

The ANCA is proud to host Shaunt as part of the Kasparian Summer Academy and looks forward to supporting him as he brings Armenian advocacy to a community where few others are doing the same.

Learn more about ANCA's youth empowerment programs at anca.org/youth.

09/07/2026

"Navigating the Massachusetts and New Hampshire primaries as an Armenian American voter."

Ara Nazarian makes the case in The Armenian Weekly. He examines three New England races, and the New Hampshire Senate contest raises what he calls an extraordinary ethical question — one that goes beyond differences over legislation.

Former Senator John E. Sununu's 2026 financial disclosure reported a personal investment of up to $5 million in Anglo Asian Mining. His family investment company, Sununu Holdings, is the company's second-largest shareholder at roughly eight percent. His father and brother have served as nonexecutive directors.

None of this comes from an Armenian organization. It was reported from Sununu's own financial disclosures and company information by E&E News and Politico.

Anglo Asian's own 2025 annual report describes the Demirli copper mine in Artsakh as a significant new producing asset. The company acquired Demirli in 2022 and obtained access in 2024. Extraction began after Azerbaijan's genocidal ethnic cleansing of the Armenians of Artsakh in 2023.

U.S. Representative Chris Pappas, ANCA-endorsed, has built a substantial congressional record on Armenian priorities — including opposition to arms transfers to Azerbaijan and Turkey — with ANCA ratings consistently in the A range.

As Nazarian writes, public service is not evaluated only by whether an investment is legally permissible. Voters routinely weigh judgment, conflicts of interest, and the values reflected in a candidate's financial relationships. For Armenians whose families watched an indigenous population lose its homeland, asking questions about investments tied to the economic exploitation of that territory is hardly unreasonable.

New Hampshire votes September 8.

Read Nazarian's full analysis:

Editor’s note: The Massachusetts 2026 primary elections took place on Sept. 1. Sen. Ed Markey defeated Rep. Seth Moulton in the Massachusetts U.S. Senate Democratic primary. The Massachusetts State Senate Democratic primary for the Middlesex and Suffolk district between Sen. William Brownsberger a...

09/05/2026

ANCA Summer Spotlight: David Gevorkyan, a senior at Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, CA, describes himself as a tennis player, youth advocate, Armenian American, and forever fan of Los Angeles.

David serves as Varsity Public Debate Assistant for Notre Dame's World Schools Debate team and Vice President of the school's Armenian Club. Drawn to the ANCA's longstanding commitment to international human rights and education, he volunteers in his community tutoring young Armenians at local schools.

"Education isn't just about identifying community issues — it's about building the kind of environment where those issues are actually worked on and solved with care," David says. "I believe that the ANCA Kasparian Summer Academy has helped me work towards these goals, and I look forward to working with the amazing DC and Western Region teams after this program."

The ANCA is proud to have hosted David as part of the Kasparian Summer Academy and looks forward to his continued leadership in the Western Region.

Learn more about ANCA's youth empowerment programs at anca.org/youth.

09/05/2026

The ANCA congratulates the AYF - YOARF Eastern Region USA on 93 years of dedicated service to the cause of Armenian liberty. To all the athletes and supporters at the AYF Olympics: the ANCA is with you.

The AYF has spent nine decades turning Armenian youth into Armenian advocates. For AYFers ready to take that work to Washington, the ANCA has a place for you at every stage:

Become an ANCA Rapid Responder and join the frontline of the Armenian Cause: anca.org/rapid

Then explore anca.org/youth:

-- Haroutioun and Elizabeth Kasparian Summer Academy (high school students)
-- ANCA Rising Leaders and the Lucine Kouchakdjian Capitol Hill Day (university students)
-- University Semester Internship Programs
-- Leo Sarkisian and Maral Melkonian Summer Internship opportunities (university students)
-- Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program (post-graduate job placement, marking 23 years of Armenian American youth job placement in 2026)

Ninety-three years in, the pipeline runs both ways. The AYF builds them. The ANCA puts them to work.

09/04/2026

ANCA Summer Spotlight: Bella Yegiazaryan, a rising senior at North Hollywood High School's Highly Gifted Magnet in North Hollywood, CA, has spent the past few years working one-on-one with Armenian youth across Los Angeles.

As President of her school's ASA, a team lead at the Network of Armenian Young Innovators, and a student ambassador for the Fund for Armenian Relief, Bella has focused on connecting students with mentors, educational opportunities, and leadership experiences that help them grow.

"These experiences showed me that building a stronger Armenian community requires more than community engagement — it also requires effective advocacy," Bella says. "Through the ANCA Kasparian Summer Academy, I hope to further my understanding of how policy and civic engagement can turn community voices into meaningful action, so I can bring those skills back to the organizations I'm involved in and continue creating opportunities for Armenian youth."

The ANCA is proud to host Bella as part of the Kasparian Summer Academy and looks forward to supporting her as she brings new advocacy tools back to Armenian youth across Los Angeles.

Learn more about ANCA's youth empowerment programs at anca.org/youth.

09/03/2026

Congressional Research Service confirms it in writing: Azerbaijan seized Artsakh in 2020 and 2023 with "material support from Turkey and Israel."

Ankara armed the genocidal ethnic cleansing of 120,000 Armenians. Now it wants F-35s.

That sentence appears in a report written for Members of Congress, published August 20, 2026. Turkey's role in emptying Artsakh of its entire Armenian population is no longer a matter of Armenian testimony. It is in the congressional record.

The same report lays out what Turkey is asking Washington for in return: at least 40 F-35 fighter jets, an end to the CAATSA sanctions imposed in December 2020 over Turkey's purchase of the Russian S-400 system, and export licenses for roughly 80 American-made F110 jet engines for its Kaan fighter program.

Section 1245 of the FY2020 National Defense Authorization Act (P.L. 116-92) bars the transfer of F-35s to Turkey unless the executive branch certifies that Turkey no longer possesses the S-400. The State Department informed Members of Congress in July 2026 that Turkey has "not yet met" those conditions.

Turkey armed the destruction of Artsakh. It has not met the conditions Congress set. It should not receive American fighter jets.

Full report: congress.gov/crs-product/R44000

09/03/2026

ANCA Summer Spotlight: Devan Regas, a junior at Westfield Senior High School in Westfield, NJ, has spent much of his time in school focused on advocacy, particularly through debate.

Devan interns for the St. Leon's Armenian Church Parish Council and writes the Sunday School column for the St. Leon's Lradu, giving him a meaningful way to connect with his community.

"I had the opportunity to advocate on Capitol Hill through the Kasparian Summer Academy, and it was an incredible experience," Devan says. "I'm looking forward to continuing that work and helping advance Armenian issues going forward in my community and beyond."

The ANCA is proud to have hosted Devan as part of the Kasparian Summer Academy and looks forward to his continued advocacy for Armenian issues in New Jersey and beyond.

Learn more about ANCA's youth empowerment programs at anca.org/youth.

09/02/2026

Congratulations to U.S. Senator Ed Markey on his victory in the September 1 Massachusetts Democratic Senate primary.

Armenian American voters across Watertown, Belmont, Arlington, Worcester, and communities throughout the Commonwealth made their voices heard for a senator with an A+ ANCA rating and a decades-long record of standing with the Armenian nation.

"Senator Markey has stood with us every step of the way - during his tenure in the U.S. House and now in his role as a senior U.S. Senator," shared ANCA activist Aram Kaligian at the time of the endorsement. "Now is our time to stand with him." Massachusetts Armenian Americans did.

The ANCA endorsed Senator Markey in April, citing his leadership on Armenian Genocide justice, his demands that Azerbaijan release Armenian hostages, and his support for the right of return for Armenians displaced by Azerbaijan's genocidal ethnic cleansing of Artsakh.

"Senator Markey has been a consistent and courageous voice for justice," said ANCA advocate Steve Mesrobian. "From advancing U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide to holding Azerbaijan accountable for its aggression and ethnic cleansing of Artsakh's indigenous Armenian population, Senator Markey has demonstrated a clear and unwavering commitment to truth, accountability, and a true and sustainable peace."

Senator Markey joined over 25 Senate colleagues in November 2025 demanding Azerbaijan release Armenian hostages and sanction officials responsible for human rights abuses. He carried that demand to Baku during COP29, telling Aliyev advisor Hikmet Hajiyev that "the Azerbaijani government must immediately and unconditionally release all Armenian and Azeri political prisoners, guarantee the right of return for ethnic Armenian civilians to Nagorno Karabakh, and negotiate in good faith a peace agreement with Armenia."

Armenian votes matter - in Massachusetts and in every state where our community organizes, votes, and holds candidates accountable.

Full record: anca.org/senate/edward-markey-m000133-119/