Kelly Petillo

Migrants, IDPs and the Middle East Podcast Episode · Arab Digest podcasts · 17/12/2025 · 27m

🎙️ On the latest Arab Digest podcast episode, @kellyp90.bsky.social discusses the challenges facing refugees and IDPs in Syria, Sudan and Palestine 👇 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/m...

Today the EU is unveiling its new Pact for the Mediterranean, which aims at establishing comprehensive partnerships between the EU & its Southern Neighbourhood.

Take a look at @ecfr.eu's new expert analysis to find out how exactly could this look: 👇

The turtle and the pilot fish: How the EU and Italy can help each other in the Mediterranean Italy and the EU must work more closely together in the “Wider Mediterranean” on energy, migration and security. Here’s how they can do it.

Incredibly thorough policy brief on Italy, the EU and the Wider Mediterranean. I recommend this one highly.
Great work! @arturovarvelli.bsky.social @kellyp90.bsky.social

The turtle and the pilot fish: How the EU and Italy can help each other in the Mediterranean: ecfr.eu/publication/...

The turtle and the pilot fish: How the EU and Italy can help each other in the Mediterranean Italy and the EU must work more closely together in the “Wider Mediterranean” on energy, migration and security. Here’s how they can do it.

If you get lost in the narrow streets between the Mattei Plan, the Global Gateway and the Rome Process, this policy brief by @kellyp90.bsky.social @arturovarvelli.bsky.social @ecfr.eu will guide you through, suggesting a more symbiotic relationship between the #EU and #Italy. ecfr.eu/publication/...

The turtle and the pilot fish: How the EU and Italy can help each other in the Mediterranean | ECFR Italy and the EU must work more closely together in the “Wider Mediterranean” on energy, migration and security. Here’s how they can do it.

Giorgia Meloni mira a ridefinire il rapporto 🇮🇹 con i Paesi del Sud del Mediterraneo attraverso la creazione di partenariati eguali. Ciò implica anche il rafforzamento del ruolo del settore privato.
✍️ @kellyp90.bsky.social & @arturovarvelli.bsky.social

Finally, it’s out! My new paper on Italy’s engagement in the Mediterranean:

Italy Should Lift its Block on EU Action to Stop the Genocide in Gaza After almost two years of genocide, famine, ethnic cleansing and unspeakable war crimes, European Union Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen proposed a partial suspension of EU-Israel ties and sa...

Italy can do more. It should immediately stop blocking EU action to suspend the trade clause of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, writes @kellyp90.bsky.social @ecfrmena.bsky.social in @dawnmenaorg.bsky.social
https://bit.ly/4gHSAgG

Italy Should Lift its Block on EU Action to Stop the Genocide in Gaza After almost two years of genocide, famine, ethnic cleansing and unspeakable war crimes, European Union Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen proposed a partial suspension of EU-Israel ties and sa...

"Leading EU countries like Italy must seize the moment to advance deeper moves that materially hold Israel accountable for its crimes in Gaza and across the Occupied Palestinian Territories," writes @kellyp90.bsky.social.

As Israel Escalates Assault, Germany Should Support EU Action on Gaza The German government has so far claimed that only bilateral diplomacy, without concrete action by the European Union, is enough to press Israel to halt its atrocities. It hasn’t worked.

It’s taken nearly 2 years of atrocities for the EU to finally propose suspending the #EU - #Israel deal. But without #Germany’s backing, it won’t go anywhere.

Berlin should stop opposing EU action, uphold its duties under the #Genocide Convention: hrw.org/news/2025/09...

@aussenminister.diplo.de

YouTube video by FRANCE 24 English Netanyahu under pressure to accept Trump plan for Gaza • FRANCE 24 English

My intervention for @france24.com’s The Debate programme on EU dynamics surrounding the Gaza war, including the Meloni government’s response:

m.youtube.com/watch?v=MjM3...

New piece where I argue that shifts in the Italian position towards Israel are not enough. Italy also needs to vote in favour of a partial suspension of the EU Association Agreement with Israel. With VdL & right-wing EU countries voicing support for this, now the time is ripe for Italy to follow.

No more US sanctions: What does Syria's future look like? – DW – 05/15/2025 US President Donald Trump's decision to lift sanctions on Syria could stabilize Syria on many levels. But there are still a lot of unanswered questions.

📰 US President Donald Trump's decision to lift sanctions on #Syria could stabilize Syria on many levels. But there are still a lot of unanswered questions. Read @jbdacey.bsky.social & @kellyp90.bsky.social 's comments in @news.dw.com

Beautiful to see the footage of Syrians celebrating following Trump's sanctions announcement. Friends in Syria say scenes are reminiscent of celebrations after the regime's fall.

Certainly much to do, but let's take a moment to share the relief millions of are feeling tonight.

A journalist asks President Donald Trump: “Will there be a meeting with the Syrian President?”

Trump: “Yes, I think so.”

Why Israel’s Gaza reoccupation threat is fueling fears of regional spillover LONDON: For the people of Gaza, the threat of destruction, displacement and death at the hands of the Israeli military is nothing new. But for the next week they will living with a countdown to a…

📰 "Regional actors, (most) of all Egypt and Jordan, have been very clear in their total rejection of any displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, and of the possibility of them receiving these refugees " comments @kellyp90.bsky.social for Arab News

The bear who came to tea: Russia, Libya and the Kremlin’s playbook for fragile states Russia’s re-entrenchment in Libya, Europe’s soft underbelly, offers profound lessons on how it exploits geopolitical instability—and how Europeans can push back…

My long read for @ecfr.eu and probably the publication im most proud of in all my years doing this.

A deep dive into how Russia retrenched in Libya, uses it to project power from Ukraine to the Sahel, and the many lessons Europe or other frontline states can learn from it

ecfr.eu/publication/...

Egypt sees rare pro-Palestine protests on Eid al-Fitr Egyptians went out after Eid prayers waving flags and raising photos of President Sisi, as the country remains under pressure from Trump’s proposal

Tens of thousands of Egyptians took part in a rare pro-Palestine demonstration on Monday (Eid al-Fitr).

This rare sight was most likely prompted by the ongoing pressures Cairo faces to accept Donald Trump's 'Gaza plan'⬇️

What does the German election mean for refugees? Newly elected leader vows dramatic tightening of the immigration law, including return to hard borders

CDU’s victory puts Merz on track as Germany’s next chancellor, pushing a hard-line migration plan.

But @kellyp90.bsky.social doubts that the plan presented in Jan. will be implemented "because it violates EU law and European countries have said they will not cooperate." via MEE:

What Israel's UNRWA ban would mean for Palestinians | DW News Israel is cutting all contact with the United Nations Palestinian relief agency, UNRWA. The government says the organization is a security threat and has pre...

📺 For DW, @kellyp90.bsky.social warns about the impact of Israel passing two laws banning @UNRWA in Gaza and in the West Bank. @ecfrmena.bsky.social

European Union mulls easing Syria sanctions — with a catch – DW – 01/24/2025 For the first time since the fall of Bashar Assad's regime in Syria, the EU is considering lifting sanctions in a variety of sectors. But the bloc wants to keep leverage over the Islamist group now…

Speaking with DW about the political transition in Syria, @kellyp90.bsky.social reminded that "I don't think there is any example I know of in the region of a political transition that has occurred within six months to a year. These things last a long time."

LEBANON: Critical days ahead
• Session tom. to vote for President
• Gen. Joseph Aoun leading name
• Backed by US, Saudi, others
• Still would need amendment
• If elected, would end > 2 yr void

How European leaders can support sustainable refugee returns in a post-Assad Syria A rise in right-wing agendas in European politics is colliding with post-Assad refugee dilemmas for Syrians and the region. European leaders must navigate domestic pressures to support Syria’s transit...

What steps can Europe take to ensure sustainable refugee returns in Syria? Find out in @kellyp90.bsky.social's latest commentary 👇
ecfr.eu/article/how-...

How European leaders can support sustainable refugee returns in a post-Assad Syria A rise in right-wing agendas in European politics is colliding with post-Assad refugee dilemmas for Syrians and the region. European leaders must navigate domestic pressures to support Syria’s transit...

A rise in right-wing agendas in European politics is colliding with post-Assad refugee dilemmas for Syrians and the region. European leaders must navigate domestic pressures to ensure voluntary, sustainable returns, writes @kellyp90.bsky.social👇 ecfr.eu/article/how-...

How European leaders can support sustainable refugee returns in a post-Assad Syria A rise in right-wing agendas in European politics is colliding with post-Assad refugee dilemmas for Syrians and the region. European leaders must navigate domestic pressures to support Syria’s transit...

📑 NEW @ecfr.eu commentary by @kellyp90.bsky.social: European leaders must navigate domestic pressures to support #Syria’s transition in a constructive way & ensure voluntary, sustainable returns. Read it here 👇 ecfr.eu/article/how-...

How European leaders can support sustainable refugee returns in a post-Assad Syria A rise in right-wing agendas in European politics is colliding with post-Assad refugee dilemmas for Syrians and the region. European leaders must navigate domestic pressures to support Syria’s transit...

L'ascesa di agende politiche di destra nella politica europea si scontra con i dilemmi del dopo-Assad per i rifugiati #siriani. I leader 🇪🇺​ devono superare le pressioni interne per assicurare rimpatri volontari e sostenibili, scrive @kellyp90.bsky.social👇

ecfr.eu/article/how-...

The Arabs at Doha Forum are just walking around embracing each other, congratulating each other, celebrating.

“كل عام و كل ثورة بخير"

Feels like all of us are Syrian today.

YouTube video by Al Jazeera English Syrians gathering at Lebanon-Syria border, seeking to return home

youtu.be/5IUO-LleTyM?...

Breaking news: Syrian rebels have seized Damascus and toppled the Assad dynasty www.ft.com/content/a953...

Syrian army quits Homs, cutting Assad off from coast - www.reuters.com/world/middle...