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Joseph R. DeTrani

Joseph R. DeTrani

Joseph R. DeTrani is a former Associate Director of National Intelligence and former member of the Senior Intelligence Service of the CIA. He served as special envoy for the Six-Party Talks with North Korea from 2003 to 2006 and as director of the National Counterproliferation Center. He regularly contributes columns to The Washington Times as part of the paper's Threat Status initiative.

Columns by Joseph R. DeTrani

Ronald Reagan and the Cold War illustration by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Reagan won the Cold War

As we debate whether we're in a new Cold War, a recent movie and book about President Ronald Reagan's legacy have inspired Americans to become more familiar with our 40th president. Published September 14, 2024

The United Nations and peace illustration by Greg Groesch / The Washington Times

U.N. must do more to foster world peace

According to the Geneva Academy of Humanitarian Law and Human Rights, as of May, there were more than 120 armed conflicts in the world, involving 60 countries and 120 nonstate armed groups. Published September 4, 2024

North Korea and Iran nuclear proliferation illustration by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

North Korea and Iran: A nuclear proliferation nightmare

As tension in the Middle East increases, with the likelihood that Iran will strike out at Israel for killing Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, a more widespread war in the region has become more likely. Published August 19, 2024

Chinese Communist Party Central Committee's third plenum discussion illustration by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

China’s party plenum: Much to discuss

The third plenum of the 20th Congress of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee, from July 15-18, normally discusses major economic policy initiatives for the next five to 10 years. Published July 16, 2024

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un exchange documents during a signing ceremony of the new partnership in Pyongyang, North Korea, on June 19, 2024. Kim and Putin signed a major defense deal that observers worry could embolden Kim to direct more provocations at South Korea. (Kristina Kormilitsyna, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) **FILE**

North Korea is part of Putin’s Eurasia strategy

The mutual defense pact that Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed on June 19 was a victory for Mr. Putin and a major component of his strategy for Eurasia. Published June 25, 2024

North Korea's alliance with Russia illustration by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

North Korea’s alliance with revanchist Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit North Korea this week. This is unsurprising, given that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited Russia last September and met with Mr. Putin at the Vostochny Cosmodrome Space Launch Center. Published June 18, 2024

Russia and China illustration by Linas Garsys / The Washington Times

China’s embrace of a Russian pariah state

Russian President Vladimir Putin's two-day summit last week with Chinese President Xi Jinping was an opportunity for both countries to challenge the U.S. and its leadership role in the global community. Published May 21, 2024

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People, Friday, April 26, 2024, in Beijing, China. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)

China’s election disinformation operations

Secretary of State Antony Blinken's recent meetings in Beijing with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Foreign Minister Wang Yi permitted both countries to again recite their list of concerns affecting bilateral relations. Published April 30, 2024

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida illustration by Linas Garsys / The Washington Times

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida’s successful visit

The state visit of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was a timely reminder by one of our closest allies that the tense situation in East Asia will require even greater U.S. global leadership. Published April 16, 2024

Vote for democracy in Taiwan and not trust China illustration by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

A vote for democracy in Taiwan

The Democratic Progressive Party candidate, Lai Ching-te, won Taiwan's Jan. 13 presidential election with over 40% of the vote. Published January 23, 2024

U.S. engaging with North Korea to stop nuclear threat illustration by Linas Garsys / The Washington Times

The North Korean existential nuclear threat

On Dec. 18, North Korea successfully launched a solid fuel, road-mobile intercontinental ballistic missile that was assessed to travel over 15,000 kilometers (9,320 miles), capable of targeting the entire U.S. Published January 4, 2024

In this image from video handout provided by the Philippine Coast Guard, a Chinese Coast Guard ship, bottom, uses water cannon Philippine coast guard patrol ship, BRP Cabra, center, as it approaches Second Thomas Shoal, locally known as Ayungin Shoal, in the disputed South China Sea on Sunday Dec. 10, 2023. The Chinese coast guard assaulted three Philippine vessels with water cannon blasts Sunday and rammed one of them, causing serious engine damage off a disputed shoal in the South China Sea just a day after similar hostilities at another shoal, the Philippine coast guard said. (Philippine Coast Guard via AP)

Preventing conflict in the South China Sea and the Korean Peninsula

At a Track 2 conference (former officials and academics) with China on U.S.-China relations, convened after the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, or APEC, conference in San Francisco, one of the subjects discussed was the need to avoid military confrontation. Published December 21, 2023

In this photo released by Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service, from left: Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Aziz, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan pose for a photo during their meeting in Tehran, Monday, Oct. 23, 2023. (Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service via AP)

Dealing with an emboldened Iran

The terrorist attack on Israel, which killed more than 1,400 Israelis and foreigners and injured thousands, with over 200 hostages, was aided by a complicit Iran that provided training, funding and support to Hamas. Published October 23, 2023