Joseph R. DeTrani
Columns by Joseph R. DeTrani
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
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
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
Restoring trust in U.S.-China relations
The Biden-Xi summit earlier this month was a step in the right direction. But it was only a step. Published November 29, 2023
A nuclear-free North Korea requires U.S.-China cooperation
This year is the 20th anniversary of the Six-Party Talks, established in 2003 to resolve the nuclear issue with North Korea. Published November 8, 2023
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