Aernout van Lynden
Encyclopedia
Aernout van Lynden Carel Baron van Lynden, Aernout Diederic (born December 31, 1954) is a Dutch-British journalist with over twenty years experience as a war correspondent in the Middle East and the Balkans .
. In September 1980 he was one of the few Western journalists in Iraq
when Saddam Hussein
's attack on Iran
opened. After this he worked as a freelance for BBC Radio
, The Observer
and The Washington Post
. He then invested much time and energy in the anti- Soviet Resistance in Afghanistan
. In 1982 he became The Observer correspondent in Beirut
, where he was a journalist covering the civil war in Lebanon
and other regional conflicts.
After moving to London
he became involved in setting up the 24-hour news channel BSkyB. He would remain active over thirteen years. First as an anchor (presenter) and then as a senior foreign correspondent. In that role he covered among others the Soviet retreat from Afghanistan, the Romanian Revolution in 1989, the Gulf War
in 1990-91, the disintegration of Yugoslavia
and the Palestinian Intifada
. For his reporting on the war in Bosnia in 1993, he received two international awards. From 2002 to mid 2008 he was professor of communication and journalism associated with the American University in Bulgaria
(AUBG) in Blagoevgrad
.
He has also lectured at the John Cabot University
in Rome
, Italy
.
Aernout van Lynden had a cameo as himself in the movie Behind Enemy Lines.
, who died in November 2010. They had three daughters: Joanna, Aurelia and Emilia
Career
Lynden began his journalism career in 1979 at the Haagsche CourantHaagsche Courant
thumb|right|250px|Haagsche Courant Building in [[Rijswijk]]The Haagsche Courant was an independent daily newspaper that was distributed throughout the metropolitan area of The Hague for over a century.-History:...
. In September 1980 he was one of the few Western journalists in Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
when Saddam Hussein
Saddam Hussein
Saddam Hussein Abd al-Majid al-Tikriti was the fifth President of Iraq, serving in this capacity from 16 July 1979 until 9 April 2003...
's attack on Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
opened. After this he worked as a freelance for BBC Radio
BBC Radio
BBC Radio is a service of the British Broadcasting Corporation which has operated in the United Kingdom under the terms of a Royal Charter since 1927. For a history of BBC radio prior to 1927 see British Broadcasting Company...
, The Observer
The Observer
The Observer is a British newspaper, published on Sundays. In the same place on the political spectrum as its daily sister paper The Guardian, which acquired it in 1993, it takes a liberal or social democratic line on most issues. It is the world's oldest Sunday newspaper.-Origins:The first issue,...
and The Washington Post
The Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
. He then invested much time and energy in the anti- Soviet Resistance in Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
. In 1982 he became The Observer correspondent in Beirut
Beirut
Beirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon, with a population ranging from 1 million to more than 2 million . Located on a peninsula at the midpoint of Lebanon's Mediterranean coastline, it serves as the country's largest and main seaport, and also forms the Beirut Metropolitan...
, where he was a journalist covering the civil war in Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
and other regional conflicts.
After moving to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
he became involved in setting up the 24-hour news channel BSkyB. He would remain active over thirteen years. First as an anchor (presenter) and then as a senior foreign correspondent. In that role he covered among others the Soviet retreat from Afghanistan, the Romanian Revolution in 1989, the Gulf War
Gulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
in 1990-91, the disintegration of Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia refers to three political entities that existed successively on the western part of the Balkans during most of the 20th century....
and the Palestinian Intifada
Palestinian Intifada
The Palestinian Intifada may refer to:*The First Intifada began in 1987. Violence declined in 1991 and came to an end with the signing of the Oslo accords and the creation of the Palestinian National Authority...
. For his reporting on the war in Bosnia in 1993, he received two international awards. From 2002 to mid 2008 he was professor of communication and journalism associated with the American University in Bulgaria
American University in Bulgaria
American University in Bulgaria is a private, selective, residential liberal arts university located in Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria. Courses are taught in English by high-quality faculty coming from four continents, experienced in teaching in a multicultural, learner-centered environment...
(AUBG) in Blagoevgrad
Blagoevgrad
Blagoevgrad is а city in southwestern Bulgaria, the administrative centre of Blagoevgrad Province, with a population of about 74,302 . It lies on the banks of the Blagoevgradska Bistritsa River....
.
He has also lectured at the John Cabot University
John Cabot University
John Cabot University is a private American liberal arts university located in Rome, Italy. Founded in 1972, it was named after the Italian explorer Giovanni Caboto.-Location:...
in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
.
Aernout van Lynden had a cameo as himself in the movie Behind Enemy Lines.
Private Life
Aernout van Lynden was married to diplomat Henriette van Lynden-LeijtenHenriette van Lynden-Leijten
Henriette Johanna Cornelia Maria Barones van Lynden-Leijten was a Dutch diplomat....
, who died in November 2010. They had three daughters: Joanna, Aurelia and Emilia