Joseph R. DeTrani
Columns by Joseph R. DeTrani
America’s foreign policy complacency allowed dangerous Russia-North Korea alliance
South Korea's Korea Institute for Defense Analysis recently stated publicly that we underestimated North Korea's nuclear weapons program. Published December 2, 2025
An emboldened Vladimir Putin
President Trump's 28-point peace plan is a humanitarian attempt to halt the killing and destruction in Ukraine, although Russia's Vladimir Putin may view the peace plan as an appeasement attempt. Published November 24, 2025
The plight of democracy in Myanmar
After decades of military rule in Myanmar, free and fair general elections were permitted in 2015 and the National League for Democracy and its leader, Aung San Su Kyi, won by a landslide. Published November 19, 2025
Fix immigration policy to rid the U.S. of enemies
Zohran Mamdani, a Ugandan-born New York State Assembly member, was recently elected mayor of New York City, the largest metropolis in the U.S. Published November 11, 2025
Trump strengthens deterrence in East Asia
President Trump's meetings in East Asia last week did more to enhance our relationship with a few allies and partners in the region than the past 15 years of talking about a "pivot to Asia" combined. Published November 5, 2025
Is China’s military loyal to Xi?
The Fourth Plenum of the Chinese Communist Party last week included a purge of China's senior military leaders. Published October 30, 2025
Illicit drugs are killing Americans
It is the responsibility of the U.S. government to ensure that illicit drugs do not enter the U.S. Published October 21, 2025
Emboldened Kim Jong-un ready for a deal
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is ready to do business with President Trump. Published October 15, 2025
A challenging year for the United Nations
The 80th ordinary session of the United Nations will end on Sept. 8, 2026. Published September 30, 2025
Trump talking to Kim Jong-un
North Korea's Kim Jong-un publicly announced over the weekend that he is prepared to meet with President Trump. Published September 24, 2025
China is forgetting its history with Russia
Significant news and photo coverage have been given to meetings in the past month between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian ruler Vladimir Putin. Published September 16, 2025
U.S.-North Korea talks must resume to ensure stability in the Indo-Pacific and beyond
The recent summit of President Donald Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung further solidified a special relationship. Published September 9, 2025
South Korea: An indispensable ally
South Korea's allied relationship with the U.S. since the July 27, 1953, Korean Armistice Agreement has brought peace and stability to the Korean Peninsula and to Northeast Asia. Published August 22, 2025
U.S.-South Korea Summit: A special relationship
In December 1952, President-elect Dwight D. Eisenhower visited South Korea, during the brutal war with North Korea, for the first presidential summit of the leaders of our two countries. Published August 22, 2025
Resume talks with North Korea
It's time to resume talks with North Korea. Published August 11, 2025
While leaders talk, children starve in Gaza and Ukraine
More than 30 million people in 22 countries are in a severe food crisis and are on the brink of starvation, according to the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights. Published July 29, 2025
China can do more to improve relations with the U.S.
Last week, Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with his Chinese counterpart, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, at the summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and described the exchange as "constructive." Published July 14, 2025
Golden Dome missile defense essential for America’s survival
More countries aspire to be nuclear-weapons states, and we should prepare for this eventuality. That's why the Golden Dome missile defense initiative is timely and needed. Published July 9, 2025
Iran’s terror legacy: Ayatollah’s regime still poses a deadly threat to U.S. and Israel
Since 1984, Iran has been designated a state sponsor of terrorism. Published July 1, 2025
Abduction and uranium enrichment: Two issues poisoning U.S. relations with North Korea
In September 2002, North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong Il, admitted to visiting Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi that North Korea had abducted 13 Japanese citizens. Published June 24, 2025
