Hugh Lovatt
@hlovatt.bsky.social
Senior Policy Fellow, European Council on Foreign Relations.
Middle East analysis and European foreign policy, with focus on Israel/Palestine and Western Sahara. Mountain runner. Usual caveats.
Middle East analysis and European foreign policy, with focus on Israel/Palestine and Western Sahara. Mountain runner. Usual caveats.
Reposted by Hugh Lovatt
A very interesting new @ecfr.eu report about countering Russian hybrid warfare in Africa by @willbrownecfr.bsky.social. I am glad to see that the report really underlines one of my recent pet peeves: The need to go on the offensive on cyber.+
The bear and the bot farm: Countering Russian hybrid warfare in Africa
Russia has many quiet enemies in Africa. Working together, like-minded Africans and Europeans can roll back its troublesome influence.
ecfr.eu
November 7, 2025 at 12:54 PM
A very interesting new @ecfr.eu report about countering Russian hybrid warfare in Africa by @willbrownecfr.bsky.social. I am glad to see that the report really underlines one of my recent pet peeves: The need to go on the offensive on cyber.+
Reposted by Hugh Lovatt
✍️ Europeans should capitalise on the Polisario’s willingness to engage in renewed negotiations that would preserve the current economic interests of Morocco relating to Western Sahara’s natural resources, writes @hlovatt.bsky.social buff.ly/9ducliL
Western Sahara shuffle: Trump’s foray could make or break peace | ECFR
President Donald Trump’s quest for a peace prize has led him to Western Sahara, where American diplomacy risks either sparking more violence or seizing a rare c
buff.ly
November 5, 2025 at 12:22 PM
✍️ Europeans should capitalise on the Polisario’s willingness to engage in renewed negotiations that would preserve the current economic interests of Morocco relating to Western Sahara’s natural resources, writes @hlovatt.bsky.social buff.ly/9ducliL
Reposted by Hugh Lovatt
Part of the background to the fall of El Fasher and RSF atrocities there is the sustained airlift from the UAE to the RSF via Libya - sixty Il-76 flights during October alone.
For the past six months, Haftar-controlled eastern Libya has supplanted Chad as the RSF's most important supply route.
For the past six months, Haftar-controlled eastern Libya has supplanted Chad as the RSF's most important supply route.
October 30, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Part of the background to the fall of El Fasher and RSF atrocities there is the sustained airlift from the UAE to the RSF via Libya - sixty Il-76 flights during October alone.
For the past six months, Haftar-controlled eastern Libya has supplanted Chad as the RSF's most important supply route.
For the past six months, Haftar-controlled eastern Libya has supplanted Chad as the RSF's most important supply route.
Pleasure to be at ISPI's MED Dialogues on a panel moderated by @martinkonecny.bsky.social talking about the future of Palestinian governance with Obada Shtaya and Hiba Husseini
Watch what we had to say 👇
events.ispionline.it/the-future-o...
Watch what we had to say 👇
events.ispionline.it/the-future-o...
The Future of Palestinian Governance
The events of the past two years represent one of the darkest pages of the history not only of Israel-Palestine, but of the entire Mediterranean region. In Gaza, where more than 60,000 lives have been...
events.ispionline.it
October 27, 2025 at 8:05 AM
Pleasure to be at ISPI's MED Dialogues on a panel moderated by @martinkonecny.bsky.social talking about the future of Palestinian governance with Obada Shtaya and Hiba Husseini
Watch what we had to say 👇
events.ispionline.it/the-future-o...
Watch what we had to say 👇
events.ispionline.it/the-future-o...
New @ecfr.eu by @muhammadshehada.bsky.social:
"The question is not whether Hamas will change overnight, but whether diplomacy can evolve fast enough to meet Hamas at its most flexible before it returns to the logic of perpetual war."
t.co/LPBLj4qNV8
"The question is not whether Hamas will change overnight, but whether diplomacy can evolve fast enough to meet Hamas at its most flexible before it returns to the logic of perpetual war."
t.co/LPBLj4qNV8
https://ecfr.eu/article/diplomacy-next-the-internal-politics-of-hamas-and-the-power-of-european-engagement/
t.co
October 24, 2025 at 4:44 PM
New @ecfr.eu by @muhammadshehada.bsky.social:
"The question is not whether Hamas will change overnight, but whether diplomacy can evolve fast enough to meet Hamas at its most flexible before it returns to the logic of perpetual war."
t.co/LPBLj4qNV8
"The question is not whether Hamas will change overnight, but whether diplomacy can evolve fast enough to meet Hamas at its most flexible before it returns to the logic of perpetual war."
t.co/LPBLj4qNV8
Positive news to see Polisario updating its 2007 peace proposal -- long overdue and something we
@ecfr
have been advocating for the past 4 years.
On why this is needed, and how it can advance a Trump deal, here is my most recent piece: cidob.org/en/publicati...
@ecfr
have been advocating for the past 4 years.
On why this is needed, and how it can advance a Trump deal, here is my most recent piece: cidob.org/en/publicati...
October 21, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Positive news to see Polisario updating its 2007 peace proposal -- long overdue and something we
@ecfr
have been advocating for the past 4 years.
On why this is needed, and how it can advance a Trump deal, here is my most recent piece: cidob.org/en/publicati...
@ecfr
have been advocating for the past 4 years.
On why this is needed, and how it can advance a Trump deal, here is my most recent piece: cidob.org/en/publicati...
Reposted by Hugh Lovatt
European states should offer support for the broad principles of the plan conditioned on a clear Israeli commitment to a full withdrawal from Gaza, write @hlovatt.bsky.social @jbdacey.bsky.social @ecfrmena.bsky.social
https://bit.ly/42YPEqn
https://bit.ly/42YPEqn
Trump’s Gaza plan: How Europe can help make it happen
European states should offer support for the broad principles of the plan conditioned on a clear Israeli commitment to a full withdrawal from Gaza.
ecfr.eu
September 30, 2025 at 3:30 PM
European states should offer support for the broad principles of the plan conditioned on a clear Israeli commitment to a full withdrawal from Gaza, write @hlovatt.bsky.social @jbdacey.bsky.social @ecfrmena.bsky.social
https://bit.ly/42YPEqn
https://bit.ly/42YPEqn
Reposted by Hugh Lovatt
European governments need to recognise the destabilising effects of ever-escalating Israeli actions on European interests. Europe must do much more, write @jbdacey.bsky.social @hlovatt.bsky.social and Ellie Geranmayeh @ecfrmena.bsky.social
https://bit.ly/3IhltUe
https://bit.ly/3IhltUe
Qatar quake: Israel blows another hole in Middle East security
The Doha strike risks deepening regional scepticism of Western security partnerships in the Middle East. Europe needs to do much more to pressure Israel into ending the war in Gaza and curbing its reg...
bit.ly
September 13, 2025 at 2:11 PM
European governments need to recognise the destabilising effects of ever-escalating Israeli actions on European interests. Europe must do much more, write @jbdacey.bsky.social @hlovatt.bsky.social and Ellie Geranmayeh @ecfrmena.bsky.social
https://bit.ly/3IhltUe
https://bit.ly/3IhltUe
Reposted by Hugh Lovatt
📰 “A far more significant shift is happening among long-standing supporters of Israel, predominantly on the political Right, who are also becoming increasingly critical." comments @hlovatt.bsky.social for @telegraphnews.bsky.social. For more 👇 buff.ly/vAddSsv
Netanyahu: Boycotts will force Israeli economy to become self-reliant
PM’s declaration comes as European nations harden their attitude to country over its war in Gaza
buff.ly
September 17, 2025 at 8:08 AM
📰 “A far more significant shift is happening among long-standing supporters of Israel, predominantly on the political Right, who are also becoming increasingly critical." comments @hlovatt.bsky.social for @telegraphnews.bsky.social. For more 👇 buff.ly/vAddSsv
Wonderful @telegraphnews.bsky.social obituary of my (soon to be) father-in-law Byron Rogers, Welsh writer & journalist.
"His interviewees included Helen Mirren – whose convivial boyfriend, Liam Neeson, got him so drunk that he fell off his bicycle on the way home"
www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2...
"His interviewees included Helen Mirren – whose convivial boyfriend, Liam Neeson, got him so drunk that he fell off his bicycle on the way home"
www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2...
Byron Rogers, brilliant Telegraph journalist and author who was Prince Charles’s first speechwriter
A connoisseur of the offbeat, he interviewed the last human cannonball and wrote a superb biography of the eccentric poet RS Thomas
www.telegraph.co.uk
August 26, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Wonderful @telegraphnews.bsky.social obituary of my (soon to be) father-in-law Byron Rogers, Welsh writer & journalist.
"His interviewees included Helen Mirren – whose convivial boyfriend, Liam Neeson, got him so drunk that he fell off his bicycle on the way home"
www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2...
"His interviewees included Helen Mirren – whose convivial boyfriend, Liam Neeson, got him so drunk that he fell off his bicycle on the way home"
www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2...
New for @ecfr.eu by @muhammadshehada.bsky.social:
Hamas is battered but unbroken. The group is now quietly opening up to decommissioning. European leaders, long sidelined in the diplomatic arena, now have a real chance to help chart a new course away from perpetual war. ecfr.eu/article/deco...
Hamas is battered but unbroken. The group is now quietly opening up to decommissioning. European leaders, long sidelined in the diplomatic arena, now have a real chance to help chart a new course away from perpetual war. ecfr.eu/article/deco...
Decommission, not disarm: How Europe can help nudge Gaza toward peace
As Israel and Hamas edge toward a ceasefire, shifts are under way in both: Hamas is quietly opening up to decommissioning and Israel’s security elite is realising military victory is a myth.
ecfr.eu
July 21, 2025 at 12:44 PM
New for @ecfr.eu by @muhammadshehada.bsky.social:
Hamas is battered but unbroken. The group is now quietly opening up to decommissioning. European leaders, long sidelined in the diplomatic arena, now have a real chance to help chart a new course away from perpetual war. ecfr.eu/article/deco...
Hamas is battered but unbroken. The group is now quietly opening up to decommissioning. European leaders, long sidelined in the diplomatic arena, now have a real chance to help chart a new course away from perpetual war. ecfr.eu/article/deco...
A few thoughts ahead of tomorrow's EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting to discuss possible restrictive measures against Israel, including suspension of preferential trade tariffs and Horizon Europe, arms embargo and a settlement trade ban...
🧵
🧵
July 14, 2025 at 5:35 PM
A few thoughts ahead of tomorrow's EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting to discuss possible restrictive measures against Israel, including suspension of preferential trade tariffs and Horizon Europe, arms embargo and a settlement trade ban...
🧵
🧵
Here are the 30+ Israeli international law violations in Gaza and the West Bank, identified in the EU's review.
The EU review has concluded Israel is in breach of its human rights obligations under Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
🧵🧵🧵
The EU review has concluded Israel is in breach of its human rights obligations under Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
🧵🧵🧵
June 21, 2025 at 9:49 AM
Here are the 30+ Israeli international law violations in Gaza and the West Bank, identified in the EU's review.
The EU review has concluded Israel is in breach of its human rights obligations under Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
🧵🧵🧵
The EU review has concluded Israel is in breach of its human rights obligations under Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
🧵🧵🧵
Reposted by Hugh Lovatt
🧵In new @ecfr.eu piece @jbdacey.bsky.social, Ellie Geranmayeh & @hlovatt.bsky.social argue that Israel's destabilising regional role threatens Euro interests, including by trying to draw the West into an unnecessary & dangerous war with Iran focused on regime change as much as nuclear issues
June 20, 2025 at 3:49 PM
🧵In new @ecfr.eu piece @jbdacey.bsky.social, Ellie Geranmayeh & @hlovatt.bsky.social argue that Israel's destabilising regional role threatens Euro interests, including by trying to draw the West into an unnecessary & dangerous war with Iran focused on regime change as much as nuclear issues
Reposted by Hugh Lovatt
Maxime Prévot annonce qu'avec 8 autres Etats membres (🇫🇮 🇮🇪 🇱🇺 🇵🇱 🇵🇹 🇸🇮 🇪🇸 🇸🇪), la 🇧🇪 a adressé une lettre à la Commission 🇪🇺 lui demandant une analyse sur les implications pour l'UE de l'avis de la CIJ sur le commerce avec les colonies israéliennes.
Spoiler alert : ce commerce est ILLÉGAL et doit CESSER.
Spoiler alert : ce commerce est ILLÉGAL et doit CESSER.
June 19, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Maxime Prévot annonce qu'avec 8 autres Etats membres (🇫🇮 🇮🇪 🇱🇺 🇵🇱 🇵🇹 🇸🇮 🇪🇸 🇸🇪), la 🇧🇪 a adressé une lettre à la Commission 🇪🇺 lui demandant une analyse sur les implications pour l'UE de l'avis de la CIJ sur le commerce avec les colonies israéliennes.
Spoiler alert : ce commerce est ILLÉGAL et doit CESSER.
Spoiler alert : ce commerce est ILLÉGAL et doit CESSER.
Reposted by Hugh Lovatt
Our latest: Enough is enough: Europe needs to oppose Israel’s aggression, with @hlovatt.bsky.social & Ellie Geranmayeh
At this pivotal moment European gov supporting Israeli strikes as “doing our dirty work” must come to their senses ecfr.eu/article/enou... @ecfr.eu
At this pivotal moment European gov supporting Israeli strikes as “doing our dirty work” must come to their senses ecfr.eu/article/enou... @ecfr.eu
Enough is enough: Europe needs to oppose Israel’s aggression
Israel has become the Middle East’s leading destabiliser, threatening key European interests. Europe must avoid the mistakes that led to the 2003 Iraq invasion, prioritise diplomacy and urge the US…
ecfr.eu
June 19, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Our latest: Enough is enough: Europe needs to oppose Israel’s aggression, with @hlovatt.bsky.social & Ellie Geranmayeh
At this pivotal moment European gov supporting Israeli strikes as “doing our dirty work” must come to their senses ecfr.eu/article/enou... @ecfr.eu
At this pivotal moment European gov supporting Israeli strikes as “doing our dirty work” must come to their senses ecfr.eu/article/enou... @ecfr.eu
'If European leaders want to seriously address the escalating insecurity and retain any political credibility in the region, they need to enforce some form of accountability on Israel for its actions that clearly violate EU’s human rights standards and long-standing red lines.'
.@tahanimustafa.bsky.social for @ecfr.eu: As Europeans focus on Israel’s intensifying conflict with Iran, the country is continuing its expansionist project in the West Bank. After its failed engagement policy, the EU should finally act against Israeli violations. t.co/AhCJ2x8ny6
https://ecfr.eu/article/expansion-in-the-shadows-the-dangers-of-israeli-aggression-in-the-west-bank/
t.co
June 19, 2025 at 8:22 AM
'If European leaders want to seriously address the escalating insecurity and retain any political credibility in the region, they need to enforce some form of accountability on Israel for its actions that clearly violate EU’s human rights standards and long-standing red lines.'
.@tahanimustafa.bsky.social for @ecfr.eu: As Europeans focus on Israel’s intensifying conflict with Iran, the country is continuing its expansionist project in the West Bank. After its failed engagement policy, the EU should finally act against Israeli violations. t.co/AhCJ2x8ny6
https://ecfr.eu/article/expansion-in-the-shadows-the-dangers-of-israeli-aggression-in-the-west-bank/
t.co
June 19, 2025 at 8:22 AM
.@tahanimustafa.bsky.social for @ecfr.eu: As Europeans focus on Israel’s intensifying conflict with Iran, the country is continuing its expansionist project in the West Bank. After its failed engagement policy, the EU should finally act against Israeli violations. t.co/AhCJ2x8ny6
Israel has become the biggest destabiliser in the Middle East, overstepping its right to self-defence, ethnically cleansing Gaza, undermining western-orientated governments in the Levant, and fuelling war with Iran. None of this is in Germany's interest. 👇
internationalepolitik.de/de/warum-deu...
internationalepolitik.de/de/warum-deu...
June 18, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Israel has become the biggest destabiliser in the Middle East, overstepping its right to self-defence, ethnically cleansing Gaza, undermining western-orientated governments in the Levant, and fuelling war with Iran. None of this is in Germany's interest. 👇
internationalepolitik.de/de/warum-deu...
internationalepolitik.de/de/warum-deu...
With Hannah Lettl for @internationalepolitik.de: "Saying no to a friend is never easy. However, the German government's attitude towards Israel's actions in Gaza and the region has long since ceased to reflect its own strategic interests. A change of course is needed."
June 18, 2025 at 4:16 PM
With Hannah Lettl for @internationalepolitik.de: "Saying no to a friend is never easy. However, the German government's attitude towards Israel's actions in Gaza and the region has long since ceased to reflect its own strategic interests. A change of course is needed."
"Anstatt zur Stabilisierung beizutragen, schafft Israel Bedingungen für neue Gewalt und Staatszerfall in der Levante – mit sicherheitspolitischen Folgen für Deutschland."
Hannah Lettl und ich fordern einen Kurswechsel der deutschen Nahostpolitik:🔗 internationalepolitik.de/de/warum-deu...
Hannah Lettl und ich fordern einen Kurswechsel der deutschen Nahostpolitik:🔗 internationalepolitik.de/de/warum-deu...
Warum Deutschland die Staatsräson (neu) definieren muss
Nein zu einem Freund zu sagen, ist nie einfach. Doch die Haltung der Bundesregierung gegenüber dem Vorgehen Israels in Gaza und der Region entspricht längst nicht mehr den eigenen strategischen Intere...
internationalepolitik.de
June 18, 2025 at 1:59 PM
"Anstatt zur Stabilisierung beizutragen, schafft Israel Bedingungen für neue Gewalt und Staatszerfall in der Levante – mit sicherheitspolitischen Folgen für Deutschland."
Hannah Lettl und ich fordern einen Kurswechsel der deutschen Nahostpolitik:🔗 internationalepolitik.de/de/warum-deu...
Hannah Lettl und ich fordern einen Kurswechsel der deutschen Nahostpolitik:🔗 internationalepolitik.de/de/warum-deu...
Several factors contributed to Israel’s war against Iran, incl a desire to fully exploit its perceived regional weakening and thwart a U.S. nuclear deal — as @ecfr.eu has consistently warned. But the spectre of Netanyahu’s quest for political survival also looms large.🧵
June 14, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Several factors contributed to Israel’s war against Iran, incl a desire to fully exploit its perceived regional weakening and thwart a U.S. nuclear deal — as @ecfr.eu has consistently warned. But the spectre of Netanyahu’s quest for political survival also looms large.🧵
Ellie Geranmayeh: Israeli aggression against Iran is a threat to regional peace and security, derailing hopes of a diplomatic pathway to resolve Iran’s nuclear crisis and risking a deep regional war, both of which directly threaten core European interests.
ecfr.eu/article/euro...
@ecfr.eu
ecfr.eu/article/euro...
@ecfr.eu
Europe must act now to prevent a major war between Israel and Iran
Israel’s unprecedented strikes across Iran have shattered nuclear diplomacy and paved the way for regional war. As America scrambles to respond, Europeans can help curb dangerous escalation…
ecfr.eu
June 13, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Ellie Geranmayeh: Israeli aggression against Iran is a threat to regional peace and security, derailing hopes of a diplomatic pathway to resolve Iran’s nuclear crisis and risking a deep regional war, both of which directly threaten core European interests.
ecfr.eu/article/euro...
@ecfr.eu
ecfr.eu/article/euro...
@ecfr.eu
Reposted by Hugh Lovatt
Join our online panel, Thurs, June 12, 1 PM ET — “French-Saudi Two-State Solution Conference: Game Changer or Too Little, Too Late?”
Experts: @hlovatt.bsky.social, @claudiofrancavilla.bsky.social, @omerman.bsky.social, Raed Jarrar, @sarahleah1.bsky.social
Register: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Experts: @hlovatt.bsky.social, @claudiofrancavilla.bsky.social, @omerman.bsky.social, Raed Jarrar, @sarahleah1.bsky.social
Register: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
June 11, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Join our online panel, Thurs, June 12, 1 PM ET — “French-Saudi Two-State Solution Conference: Game Changer or Too Little, Too Late?”
Experts: @hlovatt.bsky.social, @claudiofrancavilla.bsky.social, @omerman.bsky.social, Raed Jarrar, @sarahleah1.bsky.social
Register: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Experts: @hlovatt.bsky.social, @claudiofrancavilla.bsky.social, @omerman.bsky.social, Raed Jarrar, @sarahleah1.bsky.social
Register: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...