New Carrier To Replace USS Lincoln in Middle East | Balance of Power 08/13/2026

"Balance of Power: Late Edition" focuses on the intersection of politics and global business. On today's show, Former Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, says he agrees with President Trump's strategy for an economic blockade and expects US forces to remain in the region for an extended period. Cait Conley, Democratic Candidate for US House in New York's 17th District, says data centers can be a net positive for communities. Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) says the Pentagon has failed to adequately communicate with both Republicans and Democrats about operations in Iran. Chapters: 00:01:37 Bloomberg’s Courtney Subramanian on US Iran Conflict & Karoline Leavitt’s Departure 00:04:17 Former Secretary of Defense Mark Esper on Iran & US Strategy 00:05:38 Mark Esper on Troubling Conditions Aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln 00:07:17 Mark Esper on Pentagon Spending & Pete Hegseth’s Relationship With Congress 00:11:16 Mark Esper on New Drone Task Force & Military Technology 00:12:55 Mark Esper on Air Force One Decoy & Iranian Threat to President Trump 00:15:07 Bloomberg Intelligence’s Ira Jersey on Costliest US Bond Sale Since ’01 00:19:34 Cait Conley, Democratic Candidate for US House in New York's 17th District, Challenges Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) 00:21:05 Cait Conley on Rep. Max Miller (R-OH) Allegations & Campaign Donations 00:23:06 Cait Conley on Data Centers & AI Infrastructure 00:26:29 Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) on Pentagon Briefings & the Iran Conflict 00:27:48 Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) on US Precision Weapons Stockpiles 00:30:24 Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) on Is There a Strategic Exit From the Iran War? 00:32:06 Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) on Conditions Aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln 00:35:53 Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) on Trump, Air Force One & Secret Service Security 00:39:35 Political Panel Reacts: Iran War, the Midterms, Air Force One Decoy Controversy -------- More on Bloomberg Television and Markets Like this video? Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don't miss any videos from Bloomberg Markets & Finance: https://tinyurl.com/ysu5b8a9 Visit http://www.bloomberg.com for business news & analysis, up-to-the-minute market data, features, profiles and more. Connect with Bloomberg Television on: X: https://twitter.com/BloombergTV Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BloombergTelevision Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bloombergtv/ Connect with Bloomberg Business on: X: https://twitter.com/business Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bloombergbusiness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bloombergbusiness/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bloombergbusiness?lang=en Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/bloomberg/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bloomberg-news/ More from Bloomberg: Bloomberg Radio: https://twitter.com/BloombergRadio Bloomberg Surveillance: https://twitter.com/bsurveillance Bloomberg Politics: https://twitter.com/bpolitics Bloomberg Originals: https://twitter.com/bbgoriginals Watch more on YouTube: Bloomberg Technology: https://www.youtube.com/@BloombergTechnology Bloomberg Originals: https://www.youtube.com/@business Bloomberg Quicktake: https://www.youtube.com/@BloombergQuicktake Bloomberg Espanol: https://www.youtube.com/@bloomberg_espanol Bloomberg Podcasts: https://www.youtube.com/@BloombergPodcasts