Lynne O’Donnell

Lynne O’Donnell is an award-winning journalist, foreign correspondent, and author whose career has taken her to the frontlines of some of the world’s most volatile regions – from war-torn Afghanistan to the corridors of power in China. With decades of experience reporting on war, terrorism, geopolitics, and the global scramble for resources, Lynne has built a reputation for fearless, meticulously researched journalism that refuses to look away from difficult truths. Her 2007 book High Tea in Mosul offered a rare and human portrait of life under occupation, earning critical acclaim for its nuanced perspective on ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances. She is currently completing her forthcoming book, The Godfather of Terror, an unflinching investigation into the Taliban, the heroin trade, and America’s long and consequential war in Afghanistan. Based in Victoria, Australia, Lynne continues to report and write about authoritarianism, extremism, the erosion of rights, and the enduring importance of a free press. Her ongoing journalism and analysis are available through her Substack, Project Taliban. As a board member of The Secularist, Lynne brings her deep field expertise and unwavering commitment to truth-telling to amplify the voices and stories that challenge religious extremism, political manipulation, and the systemic marginalisation of vulnerable communities.