In 2001, Chivers became a foreign correspondent for "The New York Times". He has reported from Afghanistan, Syria, Israel, Palestine, Iraq, Libya, Uganda, Chechnya and Beslan. He served as Moscow correspondent from 2004 through 2007, and was Moscow bureau chief in 2007 and 2008. In Uzbekistan, he covered the Andijan massacre in 2005. Chivers also contributed to "The Times" "At War" and "Lens" news blogs.