Joseph R. DeTrani
Columns by Joseph R. DeTrani
Russia, China, Iran and North Korea threaten the world order
Russia, China, Iran and North Korea pose an immediate threat to the world order. Published November 9, 2024
Peaceful reunification is no longer North Korea’s goal
North Korea's enhanced allied relationship with Russia and leader Kim Jong-un's decision to send troops to aid Russia in its war of aggression in Ukraine could be the prelude to war on the Korean Peninsula. Published October 29, 2024
Ignoring threat from North Korea is not a viable option
North Korea is now aligned with a revanchist Russian Federation, providing artillery shells, ballistic missiles and reportedly troops to aid Russia in its war in Ukraine. Published October 22, 2024
Russia, China, Iran, North Korea: Axis of authoritarian states wants to change world order
The Oct. 1 vice presidential debate between Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio dealt with one foreign policy question: the widening war in the Middle East. Published October 9, 2024
Russia’s nuclear partnership with North Korea
On Sept. 13, North Korea announced the visit of its leader, Kim Jong-un, to a secret site to produce weapons-grade uranium. Published October 1, 2024
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
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: 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
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
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 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
Mixed messages from China: Potential friend or determined foe?
May was China's month for international diplomacy. President Xi Jinping's trip to Europe for meetings in France, Hungary and Serbia focused on enhancing "mutually beneficial cooperation" between China and Europe. Published June 6, 2024
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
Preventing nuclear devastation: U.S. must upgrade its missile defense capabilities
The proliferation of nuclear weapons and Iran's recent attack on Israel are two reasons we should upgrade our missile defense capabilities and ensure that Iran never gets nuclear weapons. Published May 7, 2024
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 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
Putin works to get China, North Korea to view U.S. as an enemy
As he tries to recreate the Russian empire, Vladimir Putin has compared himself to Peter the Great. Published April 3, 2024
China’s unique role in ending the first Cold War
Russian leader Vladimir Putin was just reelected in a sham election, adding six more years to his 25-year reign -- from 1999 to 2024 -- of power. Published March 20, 2024
An emboldened North Korea is a threat to the region
North Korea had three successful intercontinental ballistic missile tests in 2023. Published January 31, 2024
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