Atle Staalesen

Defence Chief says time might have come for revival of Stalin’s Arctic Death Road

Thousands died of hunger and cold as they laid rails across the desolate areas of North Siberia. Now Russian Defence Minister Sergey Shoigu hints he is ready to give the Transpolar Mainline project a new shot.
April 26, 2019

Sámi footballers go to disputed conflict area to play ball with Ukrainian separatists

The team of indigenous players from the North will travel to one of the most tense hotspots in Europe to meet breakaway rebels from Luhansk.
April 25, 2019

On shores of Kola Bay, a breakthrough for Big Coal

In two years time, up to 18 million tons of coal will be shipped out from the new Lavna terminal near Murmansk.
April 24, 2019

Along Russia’s border to Norway, a big show of military force

Sounds of explosion rocked through the borderlands as 1,000 forces and more than 340 military vehicles, tanks and aircraft engaged in military training.
April 23, 2019

Russia is building a new Arctic. With private money 

A system with major tax breaks is to make private investors place billions in new regional infrastructure.
April 19, 2019

By great Lake Inari lies a small Sámi growth town

Mining companies are not welcome and the quickly growing tourism industry is run by local developers. Sustainable solutions lie behind our economic growth, says local politician Jaana Seipiharju.
April 16, 2019

An Arctic fight is raging between Russia’s two biggest oil companies

State oil producer Rosneft is challenging private company Lukoil’s control over the Varandey terminal.
April 16, 2019

Frode Berg sentenced to 14 years for espionage

The former border inspector from Kirkenes, Norway, does not appeal the sentence delivered by the Moscow City Court.
April 16, 2019

Russian natural gas company says it will abandon Norway

As an Arctic storm rages along Barents Sea coast, company Novatek signals that it will move its large-scale reloading of LNG away from Norwegian waters.
April 15, 2019

Moscow expands crusade against the internet

The country’s media control authority is ready to block more websites. And take new measures that will prevent you from accessing them.
April 15, 2019

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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