Iran: To Take 'Decisive Actions' to Protect Interests | Balance of Power 07/07/2026

"Balance of Power: Late Edition" focuses on the intersection of politics and global business. On today's show, Retired General Ben Hodges, former Commanding General for US Army Europe, says NATO allies should increase defense spending to strengthen their own security and counter Russia — not to satisfy President Trump. Bill Scher, Politics Editor for the Washington Monthly and longtime Democratic political strategist and commentator, says Graham Platner's refusal to leave Maine's Senate race could force Democrats into a "game of chicken" before a candidate deadline. Jonathan Panikoff, Senior Director of the Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council's Middle East Program, reacts to US strikes against Iran after attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Chapters: 00:01:54 Bloomberg's AnneMarie Hordern on Leaders Gather in Ankara for NATO Summit 00:05:17 Retired General Ben Hodges, Former Commanding General for US Army Europe, on NATO Allies Sign $50B in Defense Industry Deals in Ankara 00:09:53 Retired Gen. Ben Hodges on Iran, Ukraine Conflicts Hang Over NATO Summit 00:14:39 Power Moves: Top Financial Moves 00:20:50 Bill Scher, Politics Editor for the Washington Monthly, on Clock Ticks Down for Platner to Bow Out of Race 00:26:35 Jonathan Panikoff, Senior Director of the Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council's Middle East Program, on US Military Says It’s Launching Series of Strikes Against Iran 00:27:52 Jonathan Panikoff on CENTCOM: Iran’s Aggression Was a Violation of Ceasefire 00:32:40 Bloomberg’s Chris Kennedy and Stuart Paul on GOP’s Midterm Chances Run Through Trump’s Economic Message 00:33:56 Bloomberg’s Chris Kennedy and Stuart Paul on Midterm Economic Stress Test for Trump ’24 Coalition 00:42:32 Political Panel Reacts: US Strikes Against Iran, Platner Urged to Drop Maine Senate Bid -------- 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:   / bloombergtv   Facebook:   / bloombergtelevision   Instagram:   / bloombergtv   Connect with Bloomberg Business on: X:   / business   Facebook:   / bloombergbusiness   Instagram:   / bloombergbusiness   TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bloombergbusi... Reddit:   / bloomberg   LinkedIn:   / bloomberg-news   More from Bloomberg: Bloomberg Radio:   / bloombergradio   Bloomberg Surveillance:   / bsurveillance   Bloomberg Politics:   / bpolitics   Bloomberg Originals:   / bbgoriginals   Watch more on YouTube: Bloomberg Technology:    / @bloombergtechnology   Bloomberg Originals:    / @business   Bloomberg Quicktake:    / @bloombergquicktake   Bloomberg Espanol:    / @bloomberg_espanol   Bloomberg Podcasts:    / @bloombergpodcasts