Fascinating and important post by Vance, which is a real open breach with the president. - A clear public repudiation of the Iran war. Vance then says that Trump agrees with this, but in fact Trump merely said "Iran was a piece of it". Vance is understandably trying to couch his distancing from Trump policy in more palatable terms. - Vance says: "if you'd like to argue it [the war] was worth it, that losing the Senate for the next 6 years was worth it, then do so." Well, this is **exactly** what Trump suggested last night: "I did the right thing. I would have done it again." If Trump now orders strikes on Iran, it leaves Vance in an extremely difficult position. Would he resign? - Israel policy—Vance says Republicans lost voters was because they did not "Put America First" and "Change our relationship to Israel". Vance has always struck a cautious note on Israel, but this is more explicit and shows the serious schism on the right over Israel policy. Makes sense if Vance is attempting to reach independent voters and younger Republicans who are more sceptical of Israel than older ones. - Vance suggests blaming defeat on immigration policy (opposed by majorities of voters) is "gaslighting" but also says he is "open to the idea that we should change enforcement". No explicit reflection on the relationship between his nativist, blood & soil rhetoric and the extremes of immigration policy that also turned many voters off for reasons other than Iran/prices. All in all, you can see Vance trying to shape the debate in favour of a more restraint-oriented foreign policy, particularly in the Middle East, but with broader implications for Europe & Asia, too. Inevitable also that Vance will be challenged from traditional hawkish right - Rubio? Cruz? DeSantis? - on these issues, including Israel, though that camp will also have to grapple with the unpopularity of the war and the changing politics of Israel.