Veni, vidi, Vance
The US, Iran, NATO, North Korea, and India.
Hello,
Here are the five things you need to know today:
UNITED STATES. The vice president looks to clean up the mess.
IRAN. The ceasefire breaks down before it begins.
NATO. Bruised by Tehran, Trump reaches for a softer touch.
NORTH KOREA. After six years, Wang Yi returns to Pyongyang.
INDIA. A series of state elections could test the prime minister.
If you haven’t yet signed up for the full edition, please consider upgrading your subscription via the link below, and don’t forget to connect with me on LinkedIn.
UNITED STATES. Brutal truths
The vice president looks to clean up the mess.
The White House said JD Vance would lead Iran negotiations in Islamabad, though Donald Trump later put doubt on his deputy’s role due to “security concerns”. The New York Times published intimate details on the war’s decision process.
INTELLIGENCE. Whether Vance goes or not, he’s been charged with fixing the mess. Trump earlier told a White House lunch that Vance would be blamed if talks failed. Vance appears to be insuring himself, however, as the likely source of the NYT’s story, which reads less as a factual account than a way to paint the vice president in the best possible light, both to opponents and supporters of the war. As Trump’s ratings fall, Vance can’t risk being dragged down too.
FOR BUSINESS. Vance was positioned for office by Silicon Valley donors, who have since turned against the war and its effects on economic stability and technology supply chains. As the only cabinet member whom Trump can’t fire, many will hope Vance can lead the charge against his increasingly erratic boss. And while Vance lacks mass appeal, he’s better placed than Trump to reassemble a post-Iran coalition (investors, Catholics, bluegrassers, podcast hosts).
IRAN. Taxing times
The ceasefire breaks down before it begins.
Iran placed doubt on peace talks after a refinery explosion and Lebanon experienced its heaviest day of bombing since the 1980s. JD Vance said Iran had a “legitimate misunderstanding” about Lebanon’s inclusion in the truce agreement.
INTELLIGENCE. Vance is trying the crabwalk between multiple foreign and domestic