Trade-based money laundering: development of the «red flags» system

The OECD and the FATF highlight the problem of money laundering via international trade with a view to disguising illicit gains and moving value through the use of trade transactions. For example, inaccurate invoices may be used, which, according to the Global Financial Integrity estimates, resulted in $0,9 trillion to $1,7 trillion losses in 148 countries in 2006–2015. In Russia, the authorities attempt to reduce the risks of money laundering within the framework of international trade through the use of currency regulation, while foreign countries are using a risk-based approach by developing the “red flags” systems that allow financial intelligence agencies, customs and other state bodies as well as subjects of financial market (through which the payments for export-import transactions are made) and the companies participating in international trade themselves to determine whether a transaction entails risks of money laundering. In addition, internal and international inter-agency exchange of information related to money laundering in international trade, including trade and financial data, is being developed.

The application of future studies in the military and intelligence fields: تطبيق دراسات المستقبل في المجالات العسكرية والاستخباراتية

This study aims to highlight the reality of applying of a future study in the military and intelligence fields, where the intelligence agencies focuses on the administration of geopolitical conflicts and predict its actions and consequences, also targeting to develop means of utilizing the military force and prepare for future wars, it gives indications for staff and scholars in the intelligence domain on the significance of using the methodological and scientific means in the administration of intelligence work through the development of information centers by linking of it with future studies centers to access to timely notification and the sound decision.

Legislative regulation of the powers of intelligence agencies: a comparative analysis

Based on the comparison of the Law of Ukraine "On Intelligence" with the legislative acts of some countries, the content, direction and completeness of the powers defined for the intelligence agencies have been clarified. The quality of legal regulations on the rights and responsibilities of intelligence agencies, their proximity to European standards has been studied. This is especially true of the problems of guaranteeing and respecting the constitutional rights of man and citizen during the implementation of intelligence measures against them within the defined powers. It is proved that the state, represented by the legislator, transfers to the intelligence body as one of the subjects of the intelligence sphere a certain set of rights and responsibilities to dispose of them to achieve goals, solve tasks and perform the functions specified by law. Peculiarities of the Ukrainian legislation concerning definition of powers of intelligence bodies are investigated. It is noted that all the rights granted by the domestic legislature to intelligence agencies can be divided into four groups, among which only one group reflects the functionality of intelligence. The peculiarities of the legislative acts of Georgia, the Republic of Croatia, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Belarus and the Republic of Lithuania regarding the powers of the intelligence agencies have been determined. It is proposed considerthe positive experience of these countries to improve domestic legislation, namely: it is desirable to define separately in the law the rights and responsibilities of intelligence agencies; responsibilities should be formulated in such a way that they correspond to the rights of other intelligence actors; the rights and responsibilities of the heads of intelligence agencies should not be defined in the general sense, as for the heads of other state bodies, but in accordance with their special functionality; it is advisable to formulate the rights and responsibilities of intelligence officials to perform a specific task, function or to conduct a separate intelligence event. Keywords: national security, intelligence, intelligence agencies, legislative regulation of the powers of intelligence agencies.

Weak security forces threaten South African stability

Significance These have long been matters of serious concern. President Cyril Ramaphosa on August 5 responded with a cabinet reshuffle that replaced the minister of defence, closed down the ministry of state security and moved intelligence agencies into the presidency. Impacts Planned cuts to security force budgets will be politically unsustainable. Ramaphosa’s decision to retain Minister of Police Bheki Cele in post casts doubt on the prospects of much-needed police reform. Incorporating intelligence functions into the presidency may speed reforms but also poses long-term dangers of more abuses.