Joseph R. DeTrani
Columns by Joseph R. DeTrani
The world needs to hear that the U.S., China can cooperate
Let's hope the May summit between Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping is uplifting, giving the world hope that these great powers can cooperate for the common good. Published April 14, 2026
China trying to leverage the TSA pay crisis
Chinese state media have seized on the Transportation Security Administration's pay crisis as emblematic of American political dysfunction. Published March 31, 2026
Iran sowed terror for decades and now reaps the consequences
Over the years, Iran has been responsible for killing hundreds of Americans -- and most recently, thousands of Iranians. Published March 18, 2026
U.S. must counter disinformation in ‘Axis’ countries
The Soviet Union was defeated in its war of aggression in Afghanistan (1979-1989) because the people said the 14,453 Soviet soldiers killed and the 54,000 wounded and missing were intolerable. Published March 10, 2026
North Korea doubles down on nuclear weapons
At the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea, held every five years, North Korea's Kim Jong-un left the door open for engagement with the U.S. and reaffirmed hostility with South Korea. Published March 3, 2026
Iran’s leadership has lost legitimacy to rule
A ruler's legitimacy is granted by divine authority based on their virtue and ability to govern justly, maintain harmony and care for the people. Published February 26, 2026
Why China suddenly approves of hereditary succession in North Korea
The South Korean National Intelligence Service revealed last week that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un had selected his 13-year-old daughter, Kim Ju-ae, as his successor. Published February 18, 2026
U.S. should use international broadcasting entities to support freedom
It was a combination of hard and soft power that contributed to the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War. Published February 11, 2026
Xi continues his purge of China’s military
In China, the Chinese Communist Party "commands the gun," and Chinese President Xi Jinping controls the 1 million members of the CCP. Published February 3, 2026
South Korea tries balancing its U.S., China relationships
Among South Korean President Lee Jae-myung's top challenges: balancing relations between the U.S. and China while taking on greater responsibility for the deterrence of North Korea. Published January 27, 2026
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
