An estimated 1.5 million Armenians were killed between 1915 and 1917 for supposedly aiding Russia during World War I. The mass killings were carried out by the Turkish government fairly conspicuously through deportation and concentration camps and documented by everyone from the New York Times to the German Army. Basically a holocaust before the Holocaust.

Though support is diminishing, the U.S. House is on the verge of voting for a resolution that would condemn as genocide the mass killings of Armenians in the early 20th century.

Some would argue that such a symbolic vote would finally provide recognition to the millions of people whose deaths constitute the first great genocide of the 20th century. Others point to Turkey recalling their U.S. ambassador as a sign of damaged relations with a key ally in the War in Iraq. The timing of this resolution has been called “inopportune” because of Turkey’s recent mobilization on its Iraq border (Kurdish insurgents).

So after all these years, what made Congress finally wake up and take notice that millions of Armenians are missing? Some hot-shot lobbyist? An opportune moment for the Democrats to embarrass Bush? A culmination of these and other factors?

Update: Turkey just authorized its troops to go into Iraq to deal with the Kurdish insurgents.