Cold War redux

Russian espionage activity in Norway is at an "all-time high", according to Norway's Aftenposten.

Russian agents in Norway have reached levels as high as during the Cold War, warns the Norwegian Police Security Service (PST).

[ ... ]

"I’m not going to comment on individual countries, but there are more countries active [in espionage] in Norway than people would think," PST chief Jørn Holme told Norwegian daily Aftenposten.

Holme said unnamed sources indicate that Russian espionage activity is at an "all-time high", and other countries have also stepped up their activities in Norway.

[ ... ]

However, researcher Jakub Godzimirski of the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI) says Russia does not view Norway as a military threat.

"Seen from Moscow’s perspective, Norway is interesting because it is a member of NATO and the Kremlin sees Norway as an American outpost," Godzimirski told Aftenposten.

"In addition, Norway is a significant gas and oil exporter," he said. "In the gas sector, the two countries compete in the same markets in Europe."

So, according to Mr. Godzimirski, it's nothing to worry about because Russia doesn't see Norway as a "military threat". It's just that whole NATO and economic competition thing.