TRT World - Author: Oubai Shahbandar

Oubai Shahbandar

Oubai Shahbandar

Oubai Shahbandar is TRT World’s defence analyst Wrote and produced the award-winning war documentary ‘Black Orchards’ on the Karabakh conflict.

Oubai Shahbandar is TRT World’s defence analyst Wrote and produced the award-winning war documentary ‘Black Orchards’ on the Karabakh conflict.

Articles from author

Armenia’s ceasefire violations with Azerbaijan risks wider conflict

Closer relations between Armenia and Turkey can only happen if it also includes Azerbaijan. Regional peace within a trilateral framework is possible if Armenia wants it.

Armenia’s ceasefire violations with Azerbaijan risks wider conflict

Armenia’s ceasefire violations with Azerbaijan risks wider conflict

A new front in Syria: Operation Olive Branch

The YPG's expansion across huge swathes near Turkey's southern border has made a military confrontation inevitable.

A new front in Syria: Operation Olive Branch

A new front in Syria: Operation Olive Branch

The battle for Idlib

The Assad regime with Russian backing, has set its sights on the last rebel stronghold: Idlib. The risks include a massive humanitarian tragedy.

The battle for Idlib

The battle for Idlib

Observations from the Manama Dialogue

Leaders from the Arab world expressed many solutions to the dilemmas facing the Arab world, but the status quo almost guarantees that the implementation of these ideas is unlikely.

Observations from the Manama Dialogue

Observations from the Manama Dialogue

A looming conflict in northern Iraq?

Northern Iraq will vote in a referendum for administrative independence today against the wishes of nearly every major power in the region and abroad. Could the move towards independence trigger an ethno-sectarian conflict?

A looming conflict in northern Iraq?

A looming conflict in northern Iraq?

Will the US end support of the Syrian wing of the PKK and work with Turkey?

The US alliance with the Syrian wing of the PKK terrorist organization in Syria will haunt it long after Daesh is ousted from Raqqa.

Will the US end support of the Syrian wing of the PKK and work with Turkey?

Will the US end support of the Syrian wing of the PKK and work with Turkey?

How did al Qaeda get to where it is in Syria today?

US official Brett McGurk recently implied that Turkey is to blame for al Qaeda's rise in northwestern Syria. The reality is that the blame lies with Syrian regime leader Bashar al Assad, who allowed al Qaeda to take advantage of US policy failures.

How did al Qaeda get to where it is in Syria today?

How did al Qaeda get to where it is in Syria today?

Assad must be hit again – and again

The United Nations Security Council process to hold Assad accountable through a multilateral international consensus is hopelessly moribund.

Assad must be hit again – and again

Assad must be hit again – and again

What plans does the US have in Syria?

The US' short-sighted policy in Syria might undermine the fight against Daesh, and at worst, can lead to a larger regional conflict.

What plans does the US have in Syria?

What plans does the US have in Syria?

Who can guarantee peace in Syria?

The outcome of Astana was commendable in calling for sustained ceasefires, commitment to unity, and support for follow-on peace negotiations. But can the international community manage Iran's disruptive role in the peace process?

Who can guarantee peace in Syria?

Who can guarantee peace in Syria?