One of the most underreported stories going on right now is the ethnic cleansing of Armenian Christians by the Azerbaijani government in a disputed territory. The US State Department recently updated its findings on religious liberty throughout the world. Only one update was made: Azerbaijan was added to the Special Watch List.
The Special Watch List is the lesser tier designation created in 2016. Azerbaijan joins Algeria, the Central African Republic, Comoros, and Vietnam in this categorization.
Somehow ethnic cleaning does not amount to Countries of Particular Concern, the State Department’s most serious designations.
Conspicuously Absent
Many countries deserve to be on the list for their hostility towards Christianity. Nigeria has long tolerated the slaughter of Christians, yet this is also one of the most ignored persecutions on the planet.
Ukraine is absent despite its persecution of the Eastern Orthodox church.
Israel is absent despite hostility towards Christians and arming the Azerbaijanis who in turn ethnically cleanse Christians.
