Axios

Vice President Vance left Friday for Pakistan and the biggest challenge of his career: negotiating a deal with Iran to solve the nuclear dispute and end the war.

• "This is a big deal for JD. He is going to the Super Bowl," one U.S. official told Axios.

Why it matters: While the meeting itself is historic — the most high-level engagement between U.S. and Iranian officials since 1979 — the chances for success appear low. Both sides know the risk of failure is renewed war, but have clashing visions for peace.

President Trump can't abandon NATO on his own, but he can still turn the relationship toxic as he rails at American allies who sat out his Iran war.

The big picture: America has been the backbone of the transatlantic alliance since 1949, but experts warn Trump's rhetoric and behavior threaten to undermine NATO's mutual trust even if the U.S. remains a member.

President Trump sounded ready to dismiss top intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard until he got an earful last week from one of his oldest friends and advisers, Roger Stone, Axios has learned.

Why it matters: Trump was displeased with Gabbard when she didn't wholeheartedly endorse the Iran war during her recent testimony to Congress about threats to the U.S., according to five advisers and confidants who spoke with the president.