About Me

Italian-American journalist, international analyst and author specialized in the Middle East and US politics. With a Master's degree from the London School of Economics, I worked for the United Nations in Gaza and European institutions in Brussels.

Gaja Pellegrini Bettoli

My Story

I am an Italian-American independent journalist and international analyst, based in Beirut since 2013. My career has developed between international institutions, field reporting and television analysis.

I started in 2012 in Algeria, following the traces of Italian aid worker Rossella Urru kidnapped by Al Qaeda. Since then I have covered major regional crises: the Mosul offensive against ISIS (2017), the Gaza war (2014), the collapse of post-Taliban Afghanistan (2021), the Beirut port explosion (2020).

From 2013 to 2016 I worked as Communications Officer for the United Nations (UNRWA) in Gaza during the 2014 war, coordinating communication with European donors and producing reports on the humanitarian crisis.

In 2017 I covered the final offensive against ISIS in Mosul, producing video reports for Italian television and interviewing fighters, trapped civilians and Iraqi officials about reconstruction.

Since 2016 I have been a regular analyst for major Italian television channels: Mediaset (TG5, TGCOM24), RAI News 24 and Sky TG24, with over 100 appearances as Middle East and US politics expert.

I published two books with Castelvecchi Editore: "Generazione Senza Padri" (Generation Without Fathers, 2019), presented at the Italian Chamber of Deputies, and "Shake-Up America" (2020), a guide to the US presidential elections.

I am S.T.V. (Journalist) in the Selected Reserve of the Italian Navy, a role that combines my journalistic experience with national defense.

I regularly contribute to international think tanks such as Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and ISPI, and to outlets like Al-Monitor, Middle East Eye, Al Jazeera, Voice of America, The New Arab, Corriere della Sera and Limes.

In 2024 I moderated the panel "Security in the Southern Neighborhood" at the NATO at 75 conference in Rome, with Gulf ministers and the NATO Deputy Secretary General.

Career Timeline

2000-2001

Master's Degree LSE, London

Master of Science (MSc) in Economic History at the London School of Economics, focusing on economic development and international politics.

2001-2003

French-American Chamber of Commerce

Press Officer for the French-American Chamber of Commerce in Washington DC.

2004-2006

Hill & Knowlton, Milan

Project Manager for the communications and lobbying firm Hill & Knowlton.

2007-2009

European Commission, Brussels

Press Officer for the European Commission in Brussels (DG SANCO - Health and Consumer Protection).

2012

Algeria: First Reporting

Following the traces of Italian aid worker Rossella Urru kidnapped by Al Qaeda. Interviews with Algerian officials.

2013

Move to Beirut

Start career as Middle East correspondent, based in Lebanon.

2013-2016

UN (UNRWA) Gaza

Communications Officer for the United Nations during 2014 Gaza war. Coordination of communication with EU donors.

Gaza
2017

Mosul Offensive (Iraq)

Video reporting from the frontline of the battle against ISIS. Exclusive interviews with fighters and civilians.

Iraq Kurdistan
2019

"Generazione Senza Padri" Published

First book presented at the Italian Chamber of Deputies, Rome (July 17, 2019). Account of 5 years in the Middle East.

Book presentation
2020

"Shake-Up America" Published

Guide to the 2020 US elections for Italian audience. Preface by Andrea Marinelli.

Shake Up America
2021

Post-Taliban Afghanistan

Reporting from Kandahar and Nangarhar for Voice of America. Humanitarian crisis and child malnutrition.

Afghanistan
2022-present

ANSA Translator

Ongoing collaboration as translator for ANSA, Italy's leading news agency.

2024

Moderator at NATO at 75

Panel "Security in Southern Neighborhood" with Gulf ministers and NATO Deputy Secretary General in Rome.

NATO Panel
2024

Italian Navy Selected Reserve

18th course of Selected Reserve as journalist (S.T.V. rank) for the Italian Navy at the Naval Academy in Livorno.

2024-present

AICS Consultant - Italian MFA

Consultant for the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

My Values

Impartiality

Reporting facts without taking sides, giving voice to all parties in conflict. From geopolitical analysis to field reporting, the search for truth requires listening, rigor and independence from any political agenda.

Trust

Building trust with sources at all levels: from Hezbollah Deputy Secretary to fighters in the field to displaced civilians. Unique access with respect helps build trust and enables authentic storytelling.

Perspective

Dual Italian-American lens that interprets Middle Eastern dynamics for Western audiences and vice versa. Connecting local and global, explaining complexity without oversimplifying.

Education

Master in Economic History
London School of Economics (LSE)
Focus on economic development and international policy
BA in Political Science
American University, Washington DC & University of Cagliari
Dual university - International relations specialization

Languages

Italian (native) English (native) French (fluent) Spanish (fluent) Arabic (intermediate)