Admiral Cavo Dragone: Europe Needs US Military Support
- Interview with the president of the NATO Military Committee: «Putin is against the truce.
- Volodymyr Zelensky talks about a European army and he is not the only one.
- «I don't espouse the idea of a European army,I remain linked to NATO together with the USA: a virtuous and experienced alliance.
Interview with the president of the NATO Military Committee: «Putin is against the truce. The Alliance must adapt to changes”
«It is in NATOS DNA to reflect on its role, we have been doing so for 76 years, continuing to adapt to changes. The values of collective security, the defense of freedom and democracy remain central.”
Despite Donald Trump’s attacks?
«The habit of our officers and mine to is to take time and let what is said in the moment settle. But I don’t see a crisis; indeed, I would say that we emerge more cohesive and stronger from the debate and from the latest stress tests”.«At the heart remains the Russian threat, which has been confirmed as 2022 and which guides our strategy. We must continue to exercise deterrence. And it is indeed true that the United States is sounding the charge: they have given strong shocks in the name of a need that I beli
Volodymyr Zelensky talks about a European army and he is not the only one. However, Mark Rutte excludes that Europe can do without the US umbrella. Where are we?
«I don’t espouse the idea of a European army,I remain linked to NATO together with the USA: a virtuous and experienced alliance. The American military remains essential, there might potentially be partial reorientations in the future and we will adapt flexibly. Furthermore, now we will have more funds thanks to European contributions and this will allow closer collaboration with military industries. I read Rutte’s words as a spur: more can be done, the US-EU bond remains unquestionable.”
But Trump slapped Europe…
«Yes he did, but in other forums Trump himself reiterated the validity of NATO».
How do you see the war in Ukraine?
«We are almost at the beginning of the fifth year of the Russian invasion with the harshest winter in recent decades and the ukrainians continue to give us great lessons in courage and resistance. Russia is making minimal progress. In the last 20 months she has progressed less than 50 kilometers, about 75-100 meters per day. Since the beginning of the war it is estimated that one million and 200 thousand soldiers have suffered dead, wounded and missing. We estimate that in the last 10 months the figure is 300,000 losses, more or less 650 soldiers per day. It is a price that we Western armies could never pay,Putin can do it because they have the lowest respect for the value of human life.”
«Putin has a recruitment problem, he is not able to replace the losses: in October 25,000, November 30,000, December 35,000».
«The Ukrainians are making the best use of their drones. It is now clear that Putin did not achieve any of his initial strategic goals: he aimed to take the whole of Ukraine and did not even occupy the whole of Donbass. He had deluded himself that NATO’s defeat in Afghanistan put him at an advanta
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What is the Corporate Transparency act (CTA)?
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The Corporate Transparency act (CTA), enacted as part of the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020, requires most U.S. companies to report beneficial ownership facts to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).
Prior to the CTA, the lack of readily available information about who ultimately owned and controlled companies facilitated illicit activities like money laundering, tax evasion, and concealment of assets.The CTA aims to combat thes issues by creating a centralized database of beneficial ownership information,making it easier for law enforcement and financial institutions to identify and investigate illicit financial networks. The law doesn’t create a public database; access is restricted to authorized recipients like federal agencies,law enforcement,and,with appropriate safeguards,financial institutions.
For example, on December 18, 2023, FinCEN issued its final rule detailing the requirements for reporting companies, including the types of information to be reported and the filing procedures. This final rule is the cornerstone of CTA implementation.
Who Must Comply with the CTA?
Most U.S. entities, including corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), and other similar entities created or registered to do business in the United States, must comply with the CTA. However, there are 23 exemptions, including companies that are already subject to meaningful regulation, such as those registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as investment advisors, or banks insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).
The CTA defines a “reporting company” as any entity created or registered to do business in the United States, excluding those specifically exempted. Beneficial owners are individuals who directly or indirectly own or control at least 25% of the reporting company, or who exercise ample control over the company. Companies formed *before* January 1,2024,have until January 1,2025,to file their initial reports. Companies formed *on or after* January 1, 2024, have 30 days to file.
As of january 26, 2024, the Small Entity Compliance Guide published by FinCEN clarifies the requirements for small businesses,outlining the steps they need to take to fulfill their obligations under the CTA.
What Information Must Be Reported?
Reporting companies must submit information about their beneficial owners, including their full legal name, date of birth, address, and an identifying number from an acceptable document (such as a U.S. driver’s license or passport). They must also report information about company applicants – the individuals who directly filed the documents that created the entity.
The information required is designed to pierce the corporate veil and identify the individuals behind shell companies. FinCEN’s Frequently Asked questions document provides detailed guidance on the specific data elements required for each type of reporting company and beneficial owner. Incorrect or incomplete filings can result in penalties, including civil and criminal fines.
For instance, a Delaware LLC formed on February 15, 2024, would have until March 16, 2024, to submit its beneficial ownership information to FinCEN through the designated online portal. Failure to do so could result in a penalty of up to $10,000.
What are the Penalties for Non-Compliance?
Non-compliance with the CTA can result in both civil and criminal penalties.Civil penalties include fines of up to $500 per day for each day the required information is not reported, with a maximum penalty of $10,000. Criminal penalties can include imprisonment for up to two years and fines of up to $250,000 for willfully providing false information or failing to comply with the CTA.
The department of Justice (DOJ) has indicated it will actively prosecute violations of the CTA, emphasizing the importance of accurate and timely reporting. The DOJ’s focus is on deterring the use of shell companies for illicit purposes.
On January 29, 2024, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York announced its commitment to enforcing the CTA, stating that “the CTA is a critical tool in our fight against financial crime.” This statement underscores the seriousness with which the government views compliance with the new law.
Recent Legal Challenges to the CTA
The CTA has faced legal challenges,most notably from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), which argued that the law exceeds Congress’s authority and imposes undue burdens on small businesses. on March 1, 2024, the