Joel Veldkamp
Joel Veldkamp is the director for public advocacy at Christian Solidarity International (CSI). He also serves as CSI’s representative to the United Nations in Geneva. Since 2020, he has been at the forefront of CSI’s advocacy efforts for the Armenians of Artsakh/Nagorno Karabakh. He holds a PhD in international history from the Geneva Graduate Institute, for his thesis on the Armenian and Arabic-speaking Christians of Aleppo during the French Mandate.
Key Topics
- Armenia-US Relations— U.S.-Armenia relations, including USAID programs, defense cooperation talks, Armenian-American lobby efforts, and Washington's South Caucasus policy.
- Armenian Church— The Armenian Apostolic Church's role in national identity, the Pashinyan government's conflict with Etchmiadzin, and the arrest of clergy in 2024–2025.
- Armenian News— Groong's weekly round-up of the latest news from Armenia, Artsakh, and the Armenian diaspora, covering politics, society, and international affairs.
- Armenian Politics— Armenia's domestic political landscape, including the government, opposition parties, civil society movements, and democratic governance debates.
- Artsakh Aftermath— The humanitarian, political, and diplomatic consequences following Azerbaijan's 2023 offensive and the displacement of Artsakh's entire Armenian population.