Atle Staalesen

Oslo ups defence spending to 2 % of GDP

"The situation out there and the needs here home makes it necessary to now strengthen our Armed Forces," says PM Jonas Gahr Støre. The country's defence spending will reach two percent of GDP in 2024, two years ahead of original schedule.
March 14, 2024

The town that houses Russia's Arctic marines is low on heating and hot water

While soldiers from the 61st Naval Infantry Brigade in Sputnik fight and die on the battlefields in Ukraine, their wives in the far northern home base hardly have access to hot water, heating and waste treatment.
March 13, 2024

War losses mount for small Kola towns

The settlement of Zelenoborsky has lost six of its men in the war against Ukraine. One of the killed soldiers was only 19 years old.
March 11, 2024

Oilmen step up Arctic drilling south of the ice edge

An upcoming well drilling by Equinor is part of a bigger petro-push into Norwegian Arctic waters. Ice maps show that the polar sea-ice this winter stretched almost to the Bear Island.
March 07, 2024

Europe needs unique iron ore from Kirkenes, says Swedish mine developer

But the security situation in the Norwegian-Russian border area might scare away investors, admits Christer Lindquist, CEO of Grangex.
March 06, 2024

Ten days after schedule, two heavy lift carriers arrive in Belokamenka after Arctic voyage from China

The Audax and Pugnax on the 27th of February sailed into the Kola Bay towards Novatek's LNG construction plant.
February 27, 2024

Built to befriend Russia, Barents Cooperation transforms to Nordic front

War and aggression has left regional cooperation with Russia in tatters. The Norwegian government nonetheless continues to nurture hope for a Russian return.
February 27, 2024

The Barents Observer called Nikolai Patrushev and asked him about Navalny. "He sounded a bit anxious," journalist Olesia Krivtsova says

"Hello, this is Olesia Krivtsova from the Barents Observer calling. Can you comment on why they do not release the body of Navalny to his mother?" the reporter asked Russia's top national security chief.
February 24, 2024

"Norway is safe," Jonas Gahr Støre reassures from border to Russia

Amid mounting threats from Moscow, the Norwegian Prime Minister underlines that he sees no immediate Russian threats against Norway. At the same time, he announces new and historic investments in national defense.
February 22, 2024

Six months after arrival to Ura Guba, Novatek's brand new 400 meter long storage tanker is left in the cold

The vessel that was built as logistical hub for Novatek's Arctic LNG operations is haunted by international sanctions and project delays.
February 20, 2024

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Atle is journalist and Publisher of the Independent Barents Observer.

In 2002, he founded the Barents Observer. He was editor until 2009 and later worked as journalist and project coordinator for several European cross-border cooperation projects. In late 2015, following a conflict over editorial rights, he re-established the Barents Observer as an independent and non-profit stock company along with the rest of the newspaper crew.  

Atle has a degree in Russian studies from the University of Oslo and studied journalism at the Moscow State University.

atle@thebarentsobserver.com
@atlestaalesen