In a firm stand for religious freedom and American values, Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) is spearheading a pivotal legislative effort aimed at curbing what many see as the Biden administration’s support of anti-Christian activities abroad. His resolution, Senate Joint Resolution 60 (SJR60), seeks to halt the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey, a nation increasingly viewed as complicit in Azerbaijan’s genocidal campaign against Armenian Christians.
The resolution, described as “a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to the Government of Turkiye of certain defense articles and services,” has garnered attention and praise, particularly from the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA). The committee emphasized the misuse of U.S. F-16s by Turkey in aiding Azerbaijan during the 2020 aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh, a predominantly ethnic Armenian region.
Why is it always Rand Paul who has to step up and make the case against foreign policy madness? https://t.co/oi8feWqvpx
— Ben Kew (@ben_kew) February 8, 2024
The violence has been described by the International Criminal Court’s inaugural prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo as a form of genocide, pointing out the dire and irreparable consequences of such military sales.
Senator Paul’s resolution is not just a symbolic gesture but a direct challenge to the Biden administration’s foreign policy, which has been criticized for undermining its recognition of the Armenian Genocide. By waiving section 907 of the Freedom Support Act, the U.S. has paradoxically provided military assistance to Azerbaijan, contradicting its stated values.
Sen. Rand Paul this week submitted a joint resolution aiming to prohibit the planned sale of more than $20 billion worth of military jets to Turkey. https://t.co/fE6vC5bAb9 https://t.co/c2OLDIZk6k
— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) February 7, 2024
The White House’s recent decision to approve a $23 billion sale of 40 F-16 fighter jets and equipment to modernize older F-16 jets to Turkey only exacerbates these concerns. While the deal was contingent on Turkey’s approval of Sweden’s NATO membership, it has drawn scrutiny from several Senate Foreign Relations Committee members. Sen. Paul’s resolution, therefore, represents a critical intervention in a foreign policy approach that many argue compromises American principles and the plight of Christian communities abroad.
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Ben Cardin (D-MD) and ranking member Jim Risch (R-ID) initially objected to the deal, indicating the bipartisan apprehension surrounding this issue. Cardin’s conditional approval of the sale, tied to Turkey’s NATO commitments, reflects the complex geopolitical considerations at play. Yet, for many, these diplomatic maneuvers should not come at the cost of enabling human rights violations and religious persecution.
Paul’s position aligns with an America First foreign policy, prioritizing American values and interests over political expedience. His resolution can be seen as a strong stance against empowering regimes that are hostile to Christian communities and, by extension, the values that America upholds.
