Joseph R. DeTrani
Columns by Joseph R. DeTrani
Democracy under siege by authoritarian regimes worldwide
Based on my numerous assignments abroad and work for Director of Central Intelligence Bill Casey, I have concluded that authoritarianism is on the move and democracy is under siege. Published February 18, 2025
A bold approach for dealing with North Korea
The absence of any diplomatic engagement with North Korea during the past four years has resulted in a more belligerent North Korea, now more aligned with Russia and China. Published February 11, 2025
Trump should use cultural exchanges to promote peace and democracy abroad
President Trump has an opportunity to tell this story to the world. An opportunity to contribute to ending the conflicts in Ukraine, the Gaza Strip and other regions experiencing turmoil. Published January 27, 2025
Trump’s relationship with North Korea’s Kim offers a chance to counter Putin’s influence
The Budapest Memorandum of December 1994 provided security assurances to Ukraine for giving up their nuclear weapons. Published January 16, 2025
Trump seeks to benefit from engaging with friends and foes alike
President-elect Donald Trump has reportedly invited Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend the inauguration on Jan. 20. Published December 31, 2024
Russia will abandon North Korea
Syrian dictator Bashar Assad said he "never considered stepping down or seeking refuge, nor was such a proposal made by any individual or party." Published December 20, 2024
Maintaining democracy in South Korea
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's decision to impose martial law was a cowardly attempt to stifle free speech and assembly in a country that has suffered at the hands of previous dictators. Published December 16, 2024
Trump should not give up on North Korea
North Korea spent almost 30 years trying to normalize relations with the U.S., knowing it would legitimize the regime and generate international development assistance. Published November 19, 2024
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
