“Sophomore” is often quipped to mean “wise fool,” as a play on the Greek root words sophos and moros. With his negotiation of the “agreement to agree” with Iran, Vice President JD Vance offers a fitting modern example of sophomoric ceasefire negotiations.

First, some background. The joint American-Israeli bombing of Iran was an overwhelming success. In just five weeks, Iran was on its back. A few more weeks of strikes on newly identified missile sites, along with the elimination of additional Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps leadership, could well have forced a de facto surrender.