In the mid-1980s, Lieven was a journalist with the Financial Times covering Pakistan and Afghanistan, while also covering India as a freelancer. In the latter half of 1989, he covered the revolutions in Czechoslovakia and Romania for the Times.
During the mid-1980s, Lieven worked as a journalist for the Financial Times, reporting on Pakistan and Afghanistan. He also freelanced for the Times covering India. Later in 1989, he reported on the revolutions in Czechoslovakia and Romania for the Times.