Joseph R. DeTrani
Columns by Joseph R. DeTrani
Russia targeting Ukrainian civilians
The United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine reported that as of late 2025, 14,383 civilians had been killed in Ukraine, 673 of them children. Published January 20, 2026
What U.S.-China cooperation means for the world
China was very critical of the recent capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, but it, more than any other nation, should understand. Published January 13, 2026
Is democracy possible in Iran?
The Iranian people are saying they want new leadership. Published January 6, 2026
Dangers of a Russia-aligned nuclear North Korea
On Christmas Day, North Korea announced that leader Kim Jong Un had inspected construction of a 8,700-ton-class, nuclear-propelled submarine -- a crucial step in the country's nuclear armament. Published December 30, 2025
Pope Leo’s World Day of Peace: Opportunity to put words into action
On Jan. 1, 2026, in his planned first message for the 59th World Day of Peace, Pope Leo XIV will reflect on peace, justice and global harmony. Published December 23, 2025
A bold National Security Strategy
Out with a "rules-based international order" and in with "U.S. core national interests," according to the U.S. National Security Strategy of 2025. Published December 17, 2025
Cuban missile crisis lessons forgotten as nuclear arms race spreads across world
Russian leader Vladimir Putin has repeatedly threatened that Russia might use nuclear weapons if its sovereignty or territory is threatened, as it enters the fourth year in its war of aggression in Ukraine. Published December 10, 2025
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
