US Launches Strikes in Syria, Iraq | Steadiness of Energy

ANNOUNCER:FROM THE WORLD OF POLITICS, TO THE WORLD OF BUSINESS, THIS IS”BALANCE OF POWER.” ♪ LIVE FROM WASHINGTON, D.C. JOE:FROM BLOOMBERG'S WASHINGTON, D.C. STUDIOS TO OUR AUDIENCESWORLDWIDE, WELCOME TO “BALANCE OF POWER.” THE U.S.CARRIES OUT STRIKES AGAINST SITES IN IRAQ AND SYRIA INRETALIATION FOR THE DRONE ATTACK THAT KILLED THREE U.S.SERVICE MEMBERS LAST WEEKEND. THIS IS BREAKING AND DEVELOPINGAS WE SPEAK.

WE WILL SPEAK WITH JAMESJEFFREY , FORMER AMBASSADOR TO IRAQ.THE JUDGE AND DONALD TRUMP'S ELECTION CASE POSTPONING THETRIAL DATE THAT HAD BEEN SET FOR MARCH 4 AND ALLOW FOR THEAPPELLATE COURT TO RULE ON HIS CLAIM OF IMMUNITY. A BLOCKBUSTER JANUARY JOBSREPORT BLOWING PREDICTIONS OUT OF THE WATER TODAY ANDCHALLENGING EXPECTATIONS FOR A RATE CUT IN MAY.WE WILL GET REACTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL OF ECONOMIC ADVISORS.THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US ON.

BLOOMBERG TV AND RADIO THISEVENING. BREAKING NEWS. WE ARE FOLLOWING THREE MAJORSTORIES WE WILL COVER OVER THE COURSE OF THIS HOUR, BEGIN NOWWITH BLOOMBERG'S DAM FLATLY. DAN, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITHUS. AS WE GET A SENSE OF THE SIZEAND SCALE THE STRIKES, WE JUST HEARD FROM CENTCOM, BUT DO WEKNOW? DAN: A SEVERAL — THAT SEVERAL SITESWERE STRUCK, ABOUT A DOZEN. 85 DIFFERENT TARGETS, SO TO GOBACK SOME STRIKES WE SAW IN RECENT WEEKS, JUST BECAUSETHERE ARE 85 TARGETS DOES NOT.

MEAN THERE ARE 85 SITES.THEY CAN BE HITTING MULTIPLE TARGETS AT ONE SIDE.OVER 100 DIFFERENT TYPES OF MUNITIONS AND LONG-RANGEBOMBERS FROM THE U.S. USED, SO SOMETHING THEADMINISTRATION TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT EARLIER THIS WEEK,AND WE ANTICIPATED THIS OBVIOUSLY IN RESPONSE TO THETHREE SERVICE MEMBERS KILLED IN JORDAN OVER THE WEEKEND. JOE:THESE TARGETS IN IRAQ AND SYRIA AS OPPOSED TO IRAN ITSELF. DAN:RIGHT. JOE: THERE WAS DELIBERATION ABOUTHOW FAR TO GO.

WE WERE TOLD THESE WOULD BEMULTITIERED STRIKES, WHAT SHOULD WE EXPECT AFTER THISTHEN? DAN: WELL WE DON'T KNOW WHAT ISEXACTLY TO COME NEXT. LLOYD AUSTIN AND OTHERS WITHINTHE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAVE TALKED ABOUT A MULTITIEREDRESPONSE. WHAT THEY ARE TRYING TO DO ASYOU ALLUDED TO A MOMENT AGO JOE IS A WIDER REGIONAL CONFLICT SOTHEY HAVE HELD BACK AT LEAST AT THE MOMENT FROM STRIKING IRAN.THERE IS REALLY NO REASON TO ANTICIPATE THEY WILL STRIKETARGETS IN MAINLAND IRAN, BUT.

WE EXPECT IN ADDITION TO THESEAIRSTRIKES TODAY POTENTIALLY SOME MORE STRIKES ON A ROLLING BASIS OVER THE POTENTIALLY NEXTFEW DAYS, BUT CERTAINLY A STRONG RESPONSE AT THE MOMENTAND WE WILL SEE HOW IT IS RECEIVED IN THE REGION BY FOLKSON THE HILL. JOE: THE HARDWARE IS DIFFERENT THANWHAT WE HAVE SEEN WAS STRIKES FROM F-16S, F-15S, MAY BECRUISE MISSILES COMING FROM SHIPS, DAN.CENTCOM NOW TELLING US MORE THAN 125 PRECISION MUNITIONSWERE USED, AND IN SOME CASES.

COMING OUT OF HEAVY BOMBERS.THIS IS A NEW LEVEL. DAN: IT IS A NEW LEVEL.I THINK IT IS NOT AS TARGETED. IF YOU RECALL, WE SAW INRESPONSE TO THE RED SEA ATTACKS THAT HAVE BEEN GOING ON FORSEVERAL WEEKS TARGETED STRIKES UNLIMITED SITES IN SOME AREASIN THE MIDDLE EAST. THIS IS CERTAINLY OF LITTLE BIT MOREMBAPPE WHEN YOU HAVE LONG RANGE BOMBERS INVOLVED.THAT WILL BE A HEAVIER MUNITION INVOLVED, BUT IN TERMS OFSPREADING BEYOND IRAQ, SYRIA, WE DON'T SEE ANY INDICATIONTHAT IS HAPPENING, SO IT STILL.

SEEMS TO BE TIED TO THESEAMERICAN SERVICE MEMBERS KILLED IN JORDAN. JOE:WE KNOW THESE BOMBERS FROM THE U.S. FLEW FROM THERE? DAN:LONG-RANGE BOMBERS FROM THE U.S.. JOE:AS DEPOSED TWO BASES IN THE MOVIES. DAN: RIGHT. JOE:AN IMPORTANT DETAIL. THANK YOU FOR THE BREAKING NEWS.DAN FLATLEY REPORTING FROM OUR ERA IN WASHINGTON.OUR NATIONAL SECURITY TEAM BUSY TONIGHT. WE WILL HAVE MORE IN A CONVERSATION LATER ON WITHFORMER AMBASSADOR TO IRAQ JAMES.

JEFFREY. A U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE CANCELING THEPLANNED MARCH 4 ROW SHE HAD SUFFERED DONALD TRUMP'SELECTION OBSTRUCTION CASE. ANOTHER BREAKER TODAY, HERE INTHE CAPITAL, AND ERIC LARSON JOINS US WITH MORE FROM OURLEGAL REPORTING TEAM. ERIC, WE SAW THIS COURT DATEFALL OUT THE DOCKET EARLIER. IS THIS TO MAKE ROOM OR TOALLOW TIME FOR DONALD TRUMP IMMUNITY CHALLENGE? ERIC:I BELIEVE SO. THIS JUDGE HAS A LOT OFPLANNING TO DO TO GET A TRIAL.

THIS BIG AND WIDE RANGINGGOING, AND AS THE JUDGE SAID IN HER BRIEF ORDER, THERE WAS AJURY SUMMONS THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN IN ABOUT A WEEK THATWAS ALSO CANCELED, SO GIVEN HOW LONG WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FORTHIS RULING FROM THE FEDERAL APPEALS COURT IN WASHINGTON ONTRUMP'S IMMUNITY CHALLENGE, IT HAS BEEN TAKING LONGER THANEXPECTED AND SOME EXPERTS WERE EXPECTING THE COURT WOULD MAKEA DECISION SOONER ON WHETHER TRUMP IS ACTUALLY IMMUNE FROMTHESE CHARGES BECAUSE THEY HAPPEN WHILE HE WAS PRESIDENT.SO ALL EYES ARE ON THE APPEALS.

COURT NOW.THAT DECISION COULD BE HANDED DOWN SOON AND GET ANOTHER TRIALDATE VERY SOON, BUT WE REALLY DON'T KNOW. JOE:IN THE MEANTIME, IT IS ENTIRELY POSSIBLE THAT THE CASES IN NEWYORK, ALVIN BRAGG'S CASE, THE FRAUD CASE MIGHT BE HEARD, THETRIAL HEARD BEFORE THE SPECIAL COUNSEL'S CASE IN WASHINGTON.THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT DONALD TRUMP WAS HOPING FOR, IS NOT IT?ERIK: THAT WOULD MEAN THE FIRST CRIMINAL CASE TO GO TO TRIAL ASYOU SAID BE HERE IN MANHATTAN AND THE SO-CALLED HUSH MONEYCASE. THAT STARTS MARCH 25.

TRUMP IS ACCUSED OF FALSIFYINGBUSINESS RECORDS TO HIDE A HUSH MONEY PAVEMENT TO A POOR NOSTART BEFORE THE ELECTION. ANYTHING THAT DELAYS THESETRIALS WILL BE A BENEFIT TO TRUMP BECAUSE HE HAS BEENWANTED TO DELIGHT THEM TO GET THEM CLOSER TO THE ELECTION SOTHEY SHOULD JUST TAKE PLACE AFTER THE ELECTION.THAT IS WHAT HE WANTED ALL ALONG. JOE: YES. ERIK:RIGHT NOW WE ARE EXPECTING THAT ONE TO GO AHEAD. JOE:IF THEY ARE MOVED TO AFTER THE ELECTION, THERE IS A GOODCHANCE THAT THEY DON'T HAPPEN.

AT ALL, RIGHT?ARE WE GOING TO BE IN A WORLD WHERE ALVIN BRAGG HAS THE FINALWORD BEFORE THE 2020 FOR ELECTION? ERIK:ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE. WE HAD THE GEORGIA STATE CASETHAT IS NOT AS EASY FOR A PRESIDENT TO SHUT DOWN THESTATE CASE, IF TRUMP WERE TO BE ELECTED, SO THAT CASE IS INTROUBLE. THERE IS ALSO NEWS OUT OF THATFULTON COUNTY PROSECUTION TODAY AS WELL WITH THE TURMOIL OVERTHE DISTRICT, THE FULTON COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY IN THERELATIONSHIP WITH THE LAWYER ON.

THE CASE, THAT THERE ARE SOMANY QUESTIONS SWIRLING AROUND ALL THESE TRIALS NOW.THERE IS NO TRIAL DATE SET IN THE GEORGIA CASE, SO LIKE ISAID , ALL EYES ARE ON THE APPEALS COURT IN WASHINGTON.THIS IMMUNITY FIGHT, IT REALLY IS WHETHER THIS IMMUNITY RULINGGOES HIS WAY, THAT IS WHAT, WE WILL EITHER GET THE STROLLER WEWON'T BEFORE THE ELECTION. JOE: IN SITES FROM BLOOMBERG'S ERICLARSON, OUR LEGAL REPORTER, AS THE GROUND SHIFTS BENEATH OURFEET ONCE AGAIN, ERIC. THANK YOU.IN WHAT WOULD LIKELY BE OUR.

LEAD STORY ON ANY OTHER DAY, ABLOWOUT JOBS REPORT FOR JANUARY PAYROLLS TOPPING OFF AS TO ALONGSHOT AND JULIE SUE WADE IN EARLIER ON BLOOMBERG. JULIE: FOR PRESIDENT BIDEN AND ME, WEWANT TO SEE MORE SPENDING MONEY AND WORKERS POCKETS, SO WHENYOU LOOK AT ALL THE NUMBERS TOGETHER, IT'S NOT JUST THATSINGLE ONE, BUT REALLY A SIGN OF A STRONG ECONOMY THATCONTINUES TO GROW AND CONTINUES TO SEE BROAD-BASED GROWTH. JOE:LET'S LOOK UNDER THE HOOD ON THIS IMPORTANT DATA.JOINING FOR THAT IS BLOOMBERG'S.

ENDA CURRAN AT THE TABLE INWASHINGTON. IF YOU ARE THE WHITE HOUSE, THEPAYROLLS BLEW THE DOORS OFF THE WAGES UP, BUT DOES IT BRINGNEW WAGE CONCERNS? >> UNEMPLOYMENT AT 3.7%, WAGESUP LIKE YOU SAY, DECEMBERS NUMBERS ALSO REVISED UP, SO AGOOD SET OF JOBS DATA. THE DOWNSIDE AS YOU SAY IS YESIT IT SUGGEST THAT THE VERY LEAST IT WOULD COMPLICATE THEFED'S JOB TO BRING DOWN INTEREST RATES IN ANENVIRONMENT WHERE THE ECONOMY IS STILL DOING GREAT WITH JOBSAND OF COURSE IT MIGHT.

COMPLICATE THIS WHOLE INFLATIONSTORY ANYWAY. THERE IS A LINKAGE BETWEEN THEHOT LABOR MARKET AND INFLATION REMAINING HIGH AND THAT IS ABIG CONCERN FOR THE FED. JOE: YOU LOOK BACK TO LAST WEEK WASSTRONGER THAN EXPECTED GDP AND BETTER-THAN-EXPECTED PCE THISWEEKEND NOT ONLY THE JOBS REPORT TODAY BUT CONSUMERSENTIMENT AT THE HIGH SINCE MID-2021.CAN THE WHITE HOUSE OFFICIALLY SAY NO RECESSION THIS YEAR?ENDA: IT IS CLOSE TO BEING CALLED ASOFT LANDING BY ANYONE'S METRIC.

THE PROBLEM FOR THE WHITE HOUSEIS THEY DON'T SEEM TO BE GETTING A POLITICAL DIVIDENDFROM IT. YES, INFLATION IS COMING DOWNYES THE PEOPLE HAVE JOBS. THAT IS GOOD NEWS P THE PRICESARE STILL HIGHER THAN IT WAS TWO OR THREE YEARS AGO.THAT SEEMS TO BE STINGING PEOPLES'S POCKETS AND LEAVING ALEGACY AND A TASTE OF SOURNESS IN EVERYBODY'S MOUTH. JOE:THAT LINE ON THE TERMINAL, NOT YET AT A POINT WHERE RATE CUTSARE APPROPRIATE FOR BOWMAN. WHAT DO THE MARKETS THINK?WE WERE 90% ? ENDA:.

AND AT THE VERY LEAST IT ISPUSHED BACK. FORGET ABOUT MARCH AS WEDISCUSSED EARLIER, MAY NOW IS AN OPEN DEBATE IT IS UNCERTAINWITH THIS RATE CUT MIGHT COME. ALL I WILL SAY IS EMPLOYMENT ISA LAGGING INDICATOR AND WHEN IT DOES MOVE IT MOVES FAST SOOVERCOMING CONDITIONS COULD CHANGE AND CHANGE QUICKLY BUTRIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW IT IS A VERY STRONG JOBS REPORT AND ITSUGGESTS THE ECONOMY IS IN PRETTY GOOD ORDER. JOE:IT DOES QUESTION THE TAPE WE'VE HEARD FROM SENATORS LIKEELIZABETH WARREN SAYING THIS.

WOULD DESTROY THE JOB MARKET ATJEROME POWELL CONTINUE TO HIKE RATES, AND IT HAS BEENSTUBBORNLY STRONG. PRETTY REMARKABLE. THANK YOU FOR THE INSIGHTS ANDREPORTING, ENDA CURRAN TODAY WITH A SET BLOOMBERG AS WE GETSTARTED ON “BALANCE OF POWER.” A LOT MORE AHEAD WITH THEECONOMIC TAKE FROM THE WHITE HOUSE JOINED BY HEATHER BOUCHERFROM THE COUNCIL OF ECONOMIC ADVISORS.THIS IS BALANCE OF POWER ON BLOOMBERG TV AND RADIO. ♪.

>> WOW. >> WOW. THE ECONOMY IS STRONG. >>>> THIS IS A STRONG REPORTAND LABOR MARKET. >> THIS IS AN EXCEPTIONALMARKET. >> YOU HAVE TO SQUINT TO SEETHE CRACKS IN THE SYSTEM. >> IT IS A HEADACHE FOR THE FED.>> THE FED DOES NOT HAVE TO NORMALIZE POLICY AS QUICK. >> MARCH IS OFF THE TABLE. >> WE NEVER THOUGHT THE FEDWOULD MOVE IN MARCH.

>> YOU ARE LIKELY TO GET CUTSTHAN THE FED HAS SIGNALED 32 FOUR RATHER THAN THE HIGHERNUMBER THAT THE MARKET HAS BEEN — >> THE AGGRESSIVE MARKETPRICING IN A LOT OF CUTS THIS YEAR ARE STARTING TO COME OUT. >> JUNE IS WHAT I THINK SHOULDHAPPEN IN BUT I THINK IS LIKELY TO HAPPEN, AND THIS REPORT JUSTFEEDS INTO THAT. JOE: THE WOW REACTION FROMECONOMISTS AND MARKET WATCHERS TO THE JANUARY JOBS REPORT, ASYOU SAW HERE ON BLOOMBERG TV AND HEARD ON BLOOMBERG RADIO.JOINING US FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

FROM THE WHITE HOUSE HEATHERBOUCHER ON THE COUNCIL OF ECONOMIC ADVISERS FROM A CHILLYNORTH LAWN. THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.YOU CONSIDERED THE DATA WE GOT TODAY ALONE, NOT ONLY JOBS BUTCONSUMER SENTIMENT. WHAT WE HEARD LAST WEEK ABOUTGDP IS A CONTINUING COMPOSITE OF VERY POSITIVE ECONOMIC NEWS,SO WHEN IS THE RECESSION? HEATHER:I'D LIKE TO THINK OF THIS ECONOMY IS A LITTLE ENGINE THATCOULD. IT KEEPS CHUGGING ALONG AND HASTHE SOLID FOUNDATION IT IS.

MOVING FROM.WE ARE GROWING AT THE ST STRONG STEADY STABLE GREAT AND YOUNOTED THE GOOD NEWS FROM GDP AND STRONG CONSUMER SPENDING,STRONG DISPOSABLE GROWTH IN PERSONAL INCOME LAST WEEK ASWELL. SO, WHAT WE LEARNED TODAY IS WECREATED 353,000 JOBS, AND THIS LAST MONTH MARKS THE TWO-YEARANNIVERSARY OF SEEING THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE BELOW 4%,HELD STUDY LAST MONTH AT 3.7%, BUT BELOW 4% FOR TWO YEARS IS ARECORD GOING BACK OVER 50 YEARS, AND THAT IS A REALTESTAMENT TO THE STRENGTH OF.

THIS ECONOMY AND THE ONGOINGSTRENGTH OF THIS ECONOMIC RECOVERY. JOE: THERE WERE SOME CONCERNS INTHIS REPORT ABOUT WAGES RISING. I AM GUESSING THAT IS GOOD NEWSFOR THE WHITE HOUSE AS WELL TO BE ABLE TO MESSAGE TO PEOPLETHERE IS MORE MONEY AND THEIR POCKETS BUT IT WAS A DELIBERATEINCREASE IN WAGES AND I WONDER IF YOU HAVE ANY CONCERN WITHTHE PROGRESS MADE ON INFLATION THAT THAT COULD REIGNITE PRICES?HEATHER: LET'S BE CLEAR THAT THE PRESIDENT WANTS TO SEE WORKERSREAL TAKE-HOME PAY GO UP,.

ESPECIALLY AFTER THE FACT WEHAVE HAD THIS INFLATION CAN BEGIN KNOW, GETTING WAGESHIGHER THAN INFLATION IS AN IMPORTANT PIECE OF THE PUZZLE,SO WE DID GET GOOD NEWS TODAY. OVER THE PAST YEAR WILL BE ROSEBY 4.5%, SO THAT PACE OF GROWTH MEANS THERE IS MORE MONEY INPEOPLE'S POCKETS AND THEY ARE ABLE TO COPE WITH THE HIGHERPRICES THEY ARE FACING AND YOU KNOW COMBINED WITH THE BACKJOBS ARE OUT THERE THAT MEANS THERE IS MORE ECONOMICOPPORTUNITY AND IS CONSISTENT WITH SO MUCH OTHER ECONOMICDATA WE SEE OUT THERE.

I WOULD ADD IN TERMS OF THEECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY WE HAVE SEEN THREE YEARS NOW THATRECORD HIGH NUMBERS OF PEOPLE STARTING SMALL BUSINESSES, SOTHAT OPPORTUNITY AND SENSE OF OPTIMISM, THE HIGHER WAGE GAINSAND HIGHER INCOME FEEDS INTO THAT IN THE STABLE DEMAND THATHAS BEEN POWERING ECONOMIC GROWTH. JOE: BLOOMBERG SPOKE TODAY WITH THEFORMER TREASURY SECRETARY LARRY SUMMERS AFTER THE NUMBERS CAMEOUT. HERE IS HIS TAKE HEATHER. PEOPLE HAVE YOU RESPOND. LARRY:THE ECONOMY HAS BEEN SURPRISING.

ON THE UPSIDE FOR A WHILE, SO IWAS SURPRISED, NOT SHOCKED. IT WAS A VERY STRONG NUMBER.AND WHAT THAT SAYS THAT DESPITE THE INTEREST RATE HIKES THATTHE FED, THERE IS A LOT OF STRENGTH IN THE ECONOMY. JOE: STUBBORN STRENGTH, IT SEEMS,DR. BOUCHER, AND I WONDER IF YOU WORRY ABOUT THAT.I WILL NOT ASK YOU ABOUT THE FED OR WHAT JEROME POWELL ISWORKING ON BUT CONCERNS ABOUT THINGS LIKE MORTGAGE RATES, THEABILITY TO BORROW MONEY, FOLKS WHO MAY NOT BE ASWELL OFF GOING INTO THE SECOND.

HALF OF THIS YEAR, DO YOUEXPECT ANY RELIEF OR CONSUMERS? HEATHER: WELL, LET'S BE CLEAR.CONSUMERS HAVE BEEN GETTING RELIEF WITH PRICES GOING DOWNOVER THE PAST SIX MONTHS. THAT HAS BEEN MORE AT THE 2%LEVEL TO NOT, SO THAT HAS BEEN PROGRESS.WE DID SEE SOME SPECIFIC GOODS THAT ARE REALLY IMPORTANTCONSUMERS WHERE PRICES ARE LOWER THAN THEY HAD BEEN A YEARAGO, TOYS, APPLIANCES, EGGS, AND MILK , FOR EXAMPLE.IN THE PRESIDENT UNDERSTANDS THAT THERE ARE HIGHER PRICESBUT WE HAVE SEEN THOSE SLOW.

I THINK THE REAL CHALLENGE HEREHAS BEEN THAT ECONOMIC FORECASTERS HAVE NOT HAD THERIGHT CRYSTAL BALL TO PREDICT THE ECONOMY. OVER A YEARAGO, THEY PREDICTED IN 2023 WE WOULD SEE A DECLINE OF 0.1%,GROWTH IN AVERAGE AND GROUP BY OVER 3% ON AVERAGE, SO THEPROBLEM IS WE ARE COMING OUT OF THIS HISTORIC PANDEMIC INGETTING THOSE NUMBERS RIGHT IN GETTING ABSENCE OF HOW QUICKLYWE CAN RECOVER BECAUSE THE PRESIDENT TOOK HOLD, DECISIVEACTIONS AND BECAUSE WE HAVE.

BEEN MAKING THESE INVESTMENTSACROSS THE UNITED STATES CROWDING IN PRIVATE CAPITAL, ITHINK IT HAS BEEN HARD FOR FORECASTERS TO GET IT RIGHT,,BUT THINK WHAT WE'VE SEEN THIS WAS DATED.THINGS ACTUALLY HAVE BEEN BETTER THAN ANTICIPATED ANDTHAT IS GREAT NEWS FOR AMERICAN FAMILIES, AND IT REALLY DOESMEAN WE HAVE STRENGTH IN OUR ECONOMY RIGHT NOW. JOE:A LOT OF BROKEN CRISTOBAL'S OUT THERE, HEATHER BOUCHER.[LAUGHTER] I WANT TO ASK ABOUT ANIMPORTANT COMPONENT OF THIS.

REPORT AND THE WOMEN ENTERINGTHE WORKFORCE HELP TO OFFSET A DECLINE IN MEN'S WORKFORCEPARTICIPATION. THAT STOOD OUT TO ME BECAUSE OFTHE CONVERSATION WE WERE HAVING AT THE END OF LAST YEAR, ON THEPRECIPICE OF WHAT THE ADMINISTRATION OTHERS WEREREFERRED TO AS THE CHILDCARE CLIFF, KNOWING THAT COVIDINCENTIVES, FUNDING FOR CHILDCARE PROGRAMS WAS COMINGSOON TO EXPLORATION. IS THIS GOOD OR BAD NEWS?ARE WOMEN GETTING BACK INTO THE WORKFORCE BECAUSE THEY AREBOOZING IN MANY CASES THE.

CHILDCARE OR THE ECONOMICRELIEF, OR DID THE CHILDCARE CLIFF NOT MATERIALIZE? HEATHER:WELL I THINK WHAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT HERE IS THAT FAMILIESNEED ACCESS TO CARE SERVICES. THEY NEED ACCESS TO HOME CARE.I NEED ACCESS TO CHILDCARE SO THEY CAN GET TO WORK AND THATIS ONE OF THE CORE PLANKS OF THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN TOMAKE SURE THEY HAD ACCESS AND GOOD JOBS FOR WORK.WE HAVE SEEN THE JOBS COME BACK IN HOME CARE BUT NOT ALL INCHILDCARE YET WAS THAT THAT CREATES CHALLENGES FOR FAMILIES.WE KNOW THAT UNITED STATES.

STEEL IS BEHIND MANY OF OURECONOMIC COMPETITORS IN OUR LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION RATESFOR MEN AND WOMEN AND HAVE ROOM TO GROW BUT THAT DOES HINGE ONMAKING SURE THEY HAVE THE SUPPORT THEY NEED TOPARTICIPATE FULLY IN EMPLOYMENT. I WON'T KNOW TOO ON THE CLIFFISSUE IS THAT ONE CLIFF BECAUSE THE STATES EACH OF PROGRAMS.THIS HAS BEEN MOVING OFF IN PHASES AND SO WE ARE VERYCONCERNED ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING TO FAMILIES.THE PRESIDENT HAS BEEN CONCERNED ABOUT THAT FROM DAYONE BUT ARE HEARTENED TO SEE.

THE LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATIONNUMBERS AND MEANS WOMEN WANT TO BE IN THE LABOR WORKFORCE ANDHAVE ACCESS TO THIS ENORMOUS ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY IN FRONTOF US. JOE: WE WILL SEE WHAT AN EXPANDEDCHILD TAX CREDIT DOES IF THIS BILL PASSES IN THE SENATE.HEATHER BOUCHER, GOOD TO SEE YOU, THANKS FOR THESE INSIGHTS.STILL AHEAD, U.S. LAUNCHING STRIKES INRETALIATION FOR THE KILLING OF THREE TROOPS IN JORDAN LASTWEEKEND IN SYRIA AND IRAQ. WE WILL SPEAK WITH JAMESJEFFREY .

HE IS NEXT ON BREAKING NEWS ON”BALANCE OF POWER.” ♪ JOE: THIS IS BALANCE OF POWER ONBLOOMBERG TV AND RADIO. I AM JOE MATHIEU IN WASHINGTON.THE U.S. LAUNCHING AIRSTRIKES IN SYRIAAND IRAQ JUST A SHORT TIME AGO IN RETALIATION FOR A DRONEATTACK THAT KILLED THREE AMERICAN SOLDIERS LAST WEEK INJORDAN. PRESIDENT BIDEN IN A STATEMENTJUST ELSE'S OUR RESPONSE BEGIN TO DATE SAYS A RESPONSE BEGINTODAY AND WILL CONTINUE AT THE TIME AND PLACE OF CHOOSING ENDRIGHTS HE DOES NOT SEE CONFLICT.

IN THE WORLD.JOINING US NOW IS ANNA EDGERTON WHO HAS HAD AN ION DOESTHROUGHOUT THE DAY. WE HAVE BEEN LEARNING SPECIFICSFROM CENTCOM ABOUT THE SCALE AND SCOPE OF THE STRIKES BUT TOTHE PRESIDENTS POINT, THIS IS EXPECTED TO BE MULTITIERED ANDLIKELY MOREOVER THIS CAME FROM. WHAT IS THE OVERALL GOAL HEREAS WE ATTACKED THESE IRANIAN-BACKED PROXIES WITHOUTACTUALLY GOING TO IRAN ITSELF? ANNA:WELL, TWO THINGS REALLY COME FIRST, RETALIATION FOR THEDEATH OF THESE THREE.

SERVICEMEMBERS IN JORDAN, THEFIRST DEATHS OF SERVICE MEMBERS AND HUSSLE ACTION IN THREEYEARS. THE OTHER WAS TO DEGRADE THEABILITY TO CARRY OUT THE ATTACKS.IN ADDITION TO THE DRONE ATTACK THAT KILLED THE SERVICEMEMBERS, THERE HAVE BEEN MORE THAN 100 ATTACKS ON U.S.INSTALLATIONS IN THE MIDDLE EAST CLEARLY WHAT THE U.S.HAS DONE SO FAR HAS NOT DETERRED OR DEGRADED THEABILITY OF MILITIAS TO CARRY OUT THESE ATTACKS.I JUST SPOKE WITH THE.

DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSMAN FROMMASSACHUSETTS AND A MARINE AND ASK HIM WHAT THE UNITED STATESRESPONSE SHOULD BE AND HE SAID WE HAVE TO KNOW JUST CUT OUTTHE TENTACLES OF THE OCTOPUS BUT GET THE OCTOPUS IN THE EYEAND GO AFTER THE COMMANDERS ORDERING THESE ATTACKS WHEREVERTHEY MAY BE. JOE: THE CONGRESSMAN HAS CERTAINLYBEEN AN ALLY TO JOE BIDEN IN MAKING THE CASE FOR MILITARYACTION FROM AFGHANISTAN TO UKRAINE, NOW TO THE MIDDLEEAST, AND IN WHAT FORM BEEN MY BUT TAKE IF WE TRIED TO GO TOTHE HEAD OF THE OCTOPUS, ISN'T.

THAT TO RON? ANNA:I AS GIMP DOES THAT MEAN STRIKES ON THE ACTUAL TERRITORYOF IRAN, AND HE DEFERRED TO BIDEN AND SAID I WOULD LEAVETHAT TO THE PRESIDENT AND HIS WISDOM, BUT THESE COMMANDERSARE KIND OF THE CIA OF THE REVOLUTIONARY GUARDS FROM IRANSO THEY TRAVEL OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY AND OPERATE IN SYRIA,IRAQ, AND HE SAID WE NEED TO GO AFTER NOT JUST THE SUPPLYCHAINS AND THE BASES, BUT GO AFTER THE PEOPLE SO THAT ANYONEWITHIN THAT FORCES AFRAID OF BEING PROMOTED BECAUSE I THINKTHEY COULD BE A TARGET FROM U.S.

STRIKES. JOE:TIMES AND PLACES OF VIRTUES AND COULD MEAN A LOT OF DIFFERENTTHINGS. WE ONLY HAVE 30 SECONDS. WE HAVE ANY SENSE OF WHATHAPPENS AFTER TODAY? ANNA:WE WILL SEE HOW AND IF IRAN RESPONDS.ONE THING TO WATCH IS THAT BOTH THE UNITED STATES AS WE SAW INBIDEN STATEMENT IN THE IRANIAN OFFICIALS WHO HAVE SAID THEYARE NOT SEEKING WAR, BUT NOT AFRAID TO DO WHAT IS NEEDED.JOE: THANKS FOR JOINING US HERE IN ABREAKING NEWS ENVIRONMENT TODAY.

AND WITH US ON “BALANCE OFPOWER.” COMING UP, MORE ON THE STRIKESIN IRAQ AND SYRIA, WITH A VOICE OF EXPERIENCE, FORMER U.S.AMBASSADOR TO IRAQ JAMES JEFFREY NEXT ON BALANCE OFPOWER ON BLOOMBERG TV AND RADIO. JOE: THIS IS BALANCE OF POWER ONBLOOMBERG TV AND RADIO. I AM JOE MATHIEU IN WASHINGTON.THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AS WE TURN TO THE FORMER U.S.AMBASSADOR TO IRAQ AND TURKEY, JAMES JEFFREY.PART OF THE CONVERSATION IS WE UNDERSTAND STRIKES HAVE BEGUN,BLOOMBERG REPORTING THE U.S.

HAS BEGUN RETALIATORY STRIKESAGAINST IRANIAN-BACK MILITIAS AND IN THIS CASE I SHOULD SAY,REVOLUTIONARY GUARD OFFICIALS IN IRAQ AND SYRIA, AS OPPOSEDTO MAINLAND IRAN. WE WILL GET INTO THIS WITH THEAMBASSADOR WITH 85 AIRSTRIKES NOW REPORTED BY CENTCOM.MR. AMBASSADOR, I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH YOURCONTACTS HERE AND BASED IN YOUR EXPERIENCE IN IRAQ AND SYRIA,WHAT ARE YOU HEARING AND WHAT CAN YOU TELL US IT IS HAPPENINGNOW? JAMES: THIS IS A SIGNIFICANTESCALATION FROM THE VERY.

CAUTIOUS AND OFF AND ONRETALIATORY STRIKES WE HAVE SEEN JUST A HANDFUL IN RESPONSETO 160 ATTACKS ON U.S. PERSONNEL IN U.S.SHIPS BY IRANIAN SURROGATES SINCE OCTOBER.SO, WE HAVE TO SEE HOW IRANIAN SURROGATES WILL RESPOND.THE FACT WE HAVE DONE THIS IN SUCH GREAT NUMBERS WITH SUCH AVARIETY OF AIRCRAFT AND THAT THESE MAY CONTINUE FOR DAYS ISAN INDICATION THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN WANTED TO REALLY DETERTHESE PEOPLE FROM LAUNCHING MORE ATTACKS ON AMERICANINTERESTS AND AMERICAN FORCES.

JOE:WHAT DOES IT USE WHEN WE ARE SENDING LONG-RANGE BE-ONEBOMBERS FROM THE U.S. AROUND THE WORLD TO CONDUCT THESTRIKES AS OPPOSED TO ASSETS IN THE THEATER? JAMES:WELL FIRST OF ALL IN SOME CASES IT MAY BE THAT RIGHT ASSET OR ASPECIFIC TARGET. IN OTHER CASES IT IS TO SHOWDETERMINATION, OUR CAPABILITIES, THEY ARE NOTQUESTION BY ANYONE, BUT WHAT IS OUR INTENTIONS, OUR WILL TORISK ESCALATION ON THE OTHER SIDE, TO RISK LOSING MOREAMERICANS, TO DEFEND ENTRIES IN.

THE REGION.THAT IS WHAT PEOPLE HAVE RAISED QUESTIONS ABOUT.THERE WILL PROBABLY BE LESS QUESTIONS AFTER THIS, BUTAGAIN, THIS IS JUST STARTING AND WE WILL HAVE TO SEE HOW THEOTHER SIDE PLAYS YET. JOE: I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT TIMING,AN INTERESTING COMPONENT OF THIS STORY.THESE RETALIATORY STRIKES HAVE BEEN IN THE WORKS FOR FIVE DAYSAND THERE HAS BEEN QUITE A BIT OF TELEGRAPHING FROM THEPENTAGON AND, WE HEARD ABOUT THAT YESTERDAY FROM THESECRETARY OF DEFENSE LLOYD.

AUSTIN FROM SO LET'S LISTEN TOWHAT HE SAID IN HEAVY RESPOND. HERE IS THE SECRETARY.DEFENSE SECRETARY ALSTON: IN TERMS OF TELEGRAPHINGSTRIKES AND IN TERMS OF WHETHER PEOPLE LEAVE OR WOULD HAVELEFT, I WILL NOT SPECULATE ON ANY OF THAT.I WOULD JUST TELL YOU THAT YOU KNOW, WE WILL HAVE AMULTITIERED RESPONSE, AND AGAIN, WE HAVE THE ABILITY TORESPOND NUMBER — A NUMBER OF TIMES DEPENDING ON WHAT THESITUATION IS. ACT HERE WE ARE SEVERAL DAYSLATER WITH THE STRIKES UNDERWAY.

JOE: WAS THERE A DETERRENTEFFECT?WAS THAT A TERRIFIC DELIBERATE ACT OF TELEGRAPHINGON BEHALF OF THE PENTAGON? I ASK YOU THAT BECAUSE WE SAWIRAN PULL REVOLUTION A GUARD UNIT FROM SYRIA IN ADVANCE OFTHE STRIKES. WAS PART OF THE PURPOSE HERE TOFORCE THE SNAKE TO RECOIL ON ITS OWN? JAMES:CERTAINLY, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE MAJOR IRANIAN-BACKED MILITIA IN IRAQ THAT WAS PROBABLY RESPONSIBLE FORTHE JORDAN STRIKE ANNOUNCED THAT IT WOULD NOT LAUNCH ANYMORE ATTACKS ON THE UNITED.

STATES, SO THE IRANIANS WEREREMOVING AS WE SAY, HIGH VALUE TARGETS BACK TO IRAN, ANDOTHERS WERE TRYING TO DUCK RESPONSIBILITY.NONETHELESS WE DID BACK AFTER A PRUDENT WAITING PERIOD.THE OTHER THING TO KNOW IS THIS CAME ON THE VERY DAY THATPRESIDENT BIDEN WENT OUT TO THE AIRBASE TO GREET THE THREEFALLEN AMERICAN SOLDIERS WHO WERE KILLED IN THAT ATTACK, SOYOU HAVE A CERTAIN, IF YOU WILL, COSMIC BALANCE BETWEENTHE LOSS OF AMERICAN LIVES AND WHAT WE DO RESPONSE. JOE:.

AMBASSADOR, I WANT OUR VIEWERSAND LISTENERS TO KNOW THAT WERE ALSO SPECIAL PRESIDENTIAL ENVOYFOR THE GLOBAL COALITION TO COUNTER IS IS, THE ISLAMICSTATE. YOU KNOW THIS PART OF THE WORLDBETTER THAN MOST PEOPLE HERE IN AMERICA.CAN YOU SPEAK TO TOWER 22 AND WHY THAT PIECE OF LAND WAS SOIMPORTANT AND WHY IT WAS TARGETED TO BEGIN WITH BY THESEPROXIES? JAMES: OFFICIALLY TOWER 22 IS ASUPPORT FACILITY IN JORDAN FOR A SMALL ATTACHMENT OF AMERICANTROOPS ACROSS THE BORDER IN.

SYRIA, AT A PLACE CALLEDCONTROLLED BY THE AMERICANS AND ELEMENTS OF THAT ARE STILLAROUND OTHER ANTI-ASSAD FREE SYRIAN OPPOSITION THAT WEHAPPEN TO SUPPORT ONLY THERE. THE OFFICIAL MISSION OF THEFOLKS THERE AND ACROSS THE BORDER AT TOWER 22 IS TOPARTICIPATE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST ISLAMIC STATE, THISSUNNI TERRORIST GROUP THAT EMERGE FROM AL QAEDA IN 2014.AND IN A WAY THEY DO DO THAT PERIPHERALLY, BUT THE REALPURPOSE IS TO SIT ASTRIDE THE MAJOR HIGHWAY BETWEEN TEHRAN.

AND BEIRUT, WHAT WE CALL ACRESCENT, IRAN'S OUTREACH INTO THE LAVON, IRAN, IRAQ, SYRIA,LEBANON TO BLOCK LAND TRANSPORTATION, PARTICULAR IN ACRISIS, SO THIS IS EXTREMELY SENSITIVE TO RAIN.I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED WITH NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE RUSSIANSAND OTHERS ON THEIR PRESS TO GET THE NINE STATES OUT OFTHERE. IT IS A VERY — THE UNITEDSTATES OUT OF THERE. IT IS A VERY SIGNIFICANT SMALLAREA THAT PLAYS A PRIMARY ROLE, NOT OFFICIALLY, BUT A PRIMARYROLE IN FACT AND SOMEWHAT ON.

AGAIN OFF AGAIN EFFORTS BY THISAND PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS TO RESTRAIN AND CONTAIN IRAN. JOE: WELL, WE HAD A SENSE OF HOWIMPORTANT IT IS CERTAINLY TODAY, AMBASSADOR.I'M LOOKING AT A STATEMENT FROM THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSERELEASED A SHORT TIME AGO FOLLOWING THE STRIKES BEEN MADEOFFICIAL. LLOYD AUSTIN WRITES “THEPRESIDENT HAS DIRECTED ADDITIONAL ACTIONS TO HOLD THEIRGC AND AFFILIATED MILITIAS ACCOUNTABLE FOR ATTACK ON U.S.FORCES.”.

ARE WE SURGING NEW ASSETS INTOTHE REGION? JAMES: FIRST OF ALL, WE HAVE ENOUGHASSETS. WE MAY BRING NB-ONE BOMBERS FORMILITARY PURPOSES OR FOR POLITICAL SIGNALING, BUT WEHAVE A LOT OF ASSETS IN THE REGION RIGHT NOW.NO, THE INTERESTING THING IS WE HAVE GONE BEYOND ACCUSING ANDSTRIKING THE IRANIAN SURROGATES AND INCLUDING THE IRGC, ATLEAST IN THAT STATEMENT, WE DON'T KNOW YET IN THE STRIKES.THAT IS A STEP FORWARD BUT THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEENTHE IRANIAN REVOLUTIONARY.

GUARDS, AN ELEMENT OF THEIRANIAN STATE, AND IRAN ITSELF. WE HAVE NOT TAKEN THAT STEP YET.WE HAVE NOT STRUCK TARGETS IN IRAN AND HAVE NOT ACCUSE OURGROUND OF BEING, WELL, WE SAY INDIRECTLY, BY SUPPORTING ANDARMING BUT WE HAVE BEEN PRETTY CAREFUL.MY VIEW IS EVENTUALLY IF WE REALLY WANT TO DETER IRAN, WEHAVE TO BRING IT CLOSER TO IRAN. JOE:WHEN WILL IT BE TIME TO MAKE A JUDGMENT ON WHETHER THE STRIKESWERE EFFECTIVE? JAMES: WELL, WHAT WE WILL SEE, ANDI'VE BEEN THROUGH THIS IN 2011,.

2018, 2020, I MEAN, I HAVE SEENTHIS MOVIE MANY TIMES. THE STRIKES WILL NOT HALT IT,BUT THEIR FREQUENCY AND THE THREAT THAT THEY POSE WILLALMOST CERTAINLY DROP, AS IRAN AND FRIENDS WILL HAVE TO SENDSOME KIND OF SIGNAL THAT THEY'RE NOT JUST ROLLING OVERAND GIVING UP, BUT THEY DO NOT WANT YET A BIGGER PROVOCATION.THE KEY QUESTION I HAVE, AND WE ALL SHOULD HAVE IS, IF WE HAVEIN DOING THIS ALSO SIGNALED TO IRAN BUT THE NEXT TIME AMERICANSUFFER CASUALTIES, WE WILL STRIKE TARGETS IN IRAN, AND OUREXPERIENCE,, THAT IS THE ONLY.

THING THAT REALLY DETERS IRAN,SO TIME WILL TELL WHETHER THIS HAS BEEN ENOUGH. JOE: AMBASSADOR, WE APPRECIATE YOUJOINING US. FORMER U.S. AMBASSADOR TWO IRAQ JAMESJEFFREY DOES TONIGHT ON BLOOMBERG.JOINING IS NOW FOR MORE BACKGROUND ON THIS CONFLICT ANDHOW WE GOT HERE AT THIS IMPORTANT MOMENT OR WHAT THESECRETARY OF DEFENSE CALLS A DANGEROUS MOMENT IN THE MIDDLEEAST IS BLOOMBERG'S TYLER KENDALL. HARDER. TYLER:.

I DON'T NEED TO TELL YOU THATLET'S START WITH THIS ATTACK. THERE IS A LONG AND ENTANGLEPOLITICAL HISTORY, BUT THERE IS ONE CLEAR THREAT IN THE ENERGYSECTOR BETWEEN THEM. IRAN IS HOME TO THE WORLD'STHIRD-LARGEST OIL RESERVES, MAKING IT A CRITICAL SUPPLIERTO THE GLOBAL MARKET. >> OIL HAS PLAYED AN IMPORTANTROLE IN IRAN PREDATING THE REVOLUTION AND CONTINUES TO DOSO TODAY. TYLER: EXPERTS SAY IRAN'S ECONOMY HASALWAYS PUT ENERGY FRONT AND CENTER.THE INDUSTRY WAS NATIONALIZED.

IN 1951, A MOVE THAT FACTOREDINTO A COUP TO YEARS LATER AS WESTERN POWERS FOUGHT FOR APIECE OF THE MIDDLE EAST ENERGY MARKET.THE NEW WESTERN BACKED SHAW OF IRAN AGREED TO GIVE YOU RESTU.K., FRENCH OIL COMPANIES A MAJOR STAKE IN THE SECTOR IN1954, SETTING UP A CRITICAL PARTNERSHIP WHEN IRAN BECAME AMEMBER OF OPEC FIVE YEARS LATER. BUT THAT ALLIANCE WOULD SOONUNRAVEL. 1979 REVOLUTION SAW IRAN'SPRO-AMERICAN SHAW OF IRAN DETHRONED.AND ESTABLISH THE ISLAMIC.

REPUBLIC KNOWN TODAY. IT ALSO RESULTED IN A HOSTAGECRISIS. 52 PEOPLE WERE HELD FOR 444DAYS AT THE U.S. EMBASSY IN TEHRAN.AS THE YEARS WORKED TOWARDS A RESOLUTION, ONE OF ITS FIRSTACTIONS WAS AN EMBARGO ON IRANIAN OIL. IN THAT MOMENT ON, THE U.S.HAS OFTEN LOOK TO ECONOMIC DETERRENCE TO STIFLE IRAN ANDITS PROXIES WITH THE FOCUS ON ENERGY.

>> IT HAS BEEN DATE TOOL ASPART OF SANCTIONS THAT IF YOU EMBARGO OR SANCTION IRANIANOIL, YOU WILL PUT PRESSURE ON THE REGIME.WE HAVE SEEN EVIDENCE OF THAT. >>>> IRAN HAS AGREED IT WILLNOT STOCKPILED THE MATERIALS NEEDED TO BUILD A WEAPON. TYLER:SANCTIONS HAVE OFTEN BEEN AIMED AT DETERRING THE NUCLEAR ENERGYPROGRAM. IN 2015 THE COMPREHENSIVE PLANOF ACTION COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE NEW THROUGH DEAL WOULD POSERESTRAINTS ON THE NUCLEAR PROGRAM IN REFERRING FOR EASINGTHE SANCTIONS.

>> THEY HAVE NOT LIVED UP TOTHE SPIRIT OF THEIR AGREEMENT. TYLER:PRESIDENT TRUMP ULTIMATELY PULLED OUT OF THE AGREEMENT ANDREINSTATED SINKS IN 2018. TALKS TO RESTART THE PLAN UNDERTHE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAVE MOSTLY ET STALLED AMID UNRESTIN IRAN. >> WE DON'T NEED A WIDER WAR INTHE MIDDLE EAST. TYLER: THAT BRINGS US TO TODAY WHERELAWMAKERS ARE TRYING TO FIND A PATH FORWARD AS TENSIONSESCALATE IN THE REGION AND AROUND THE WORLD.EXPERTS SAY HOLDING IRAN.

ACCOUNTABLE HAS GEOPOLITICALRISKS BEYOND THE REGION. TODAY, CHINA IS IRAN'S LARGESTTRADE PARTNER AND LARGEST IMPORTER I'VE IRANIAN CRUDE.CHINESE IMPORTS OF IRANIAN OIL LAST YEAR TOP ONE MILLIONBARRELS PER DAY. JOE: I WILL TELL YOU THAT I GUESSIRAN AND CHINA HAVE SOMETHING IN COMMON HERE.THEY ARE BRINGING BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE TOGETHER INWASHINGTON. IF THERE IS SOMETHINGBIPARTISAN, IT IS THIS AXIS OF IRAN AND CHINA. TYLER:EXACTLY RIGHT.

I SPENT MY MORNINGS IS WEAKTRYING TO PIN LAWMAKERS DOWN ON THE TYPE OF RESPONSE THEYWANT TO SEE THE U.S. TAKE. SOME WERE MORE MEASURED.SOME HAWKISH MEMBERS FOR EXAMPLE WERE ADVOCATING FORDIRECT STRIKES IN IRAN, BUT REGARDLESS OF THE TYPE RESPONSETHEY WANTED TO SEE, THE THROUGH LINE I KEPT HEARING AGAIN ANDAGAIN WAS THE MESSAGE THIS NIECES AND NOT JUST TO IRAN,BUT OTHER U.S. ADVERSARIES AROUND THE WORLD.YOU HEARD ME MENTION CHINA. I WANT YOU TO LISTEN TO THESETWO SENATORS ON THE OPPOSITE.

SIDES OF THE AISLE, THEIMPORTANCE THEY ARE PLACING ON THIS MOMENT. >> WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT INRESPONDING THAT WE ARE RESPONDING IN A MANNER AND AFORM AND WITH A TENACITY THAT IS REQUIRED FOR SENDING THEMESSAGE THE PRESIDENT IS TRYING TO SEND. >> THE FOCUS SHOULD NOT BETRYING TO PRETEND WE CAN EXERCISE COMPLETE CONTROL OVEREVERYTHING. IT HAS TO BE REBUILDING OURSTRENGTH SO WE HAVE MORE.

INFLUENCE ACROSS THE WORLD. SO OF COURSE >> THERE ARE –JOE: YOU COULD NOT FIND TWO PEOPLEFURTHER APART. J.D. VANCE FROM OHIO SINGING FROMTHE SAME BOOK. TYLER: BOTH TALKING ABOUT HIM.IF THIS MESSAGES TO ALLIES AND ADVERSARIES AROUND THE WORLD.JOE: WHO SAYS DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS CAN'T GET ALONG?IT IS A MOMENT LIKE THIS THAT CAN FREQUENTLY PRODUCEBIPARTISAN ACTION. TYLER IS A GREAT HISTORY TOHELP US UNDERSTAND HOW WE GOT.

TO THIS MOMENT.TYLER KENDALL, WE THANK YOU. COMING UP WITH THE U.S.LAUNCHING AIRSTRIKES AS WE HAVE BEEN MENTIONING, IN RETALIATIONAGAINST IRAN, BUT DOING SO IN SYRIA AND IRAQ.WE WILL BE WITH OUR POLITICAL BATTLE NEXT WITH THEIR TAKE ON”BALANCE OF POWER.” ♪ JOE: THIS IS BALANCE OF POWER ONBLOOMBERG TV AND RADIO. THE RETALIATION BY THE U.S.AGAINST THE DRONE STRIKE THAT KILLED THREE U.S.SERVICE MEMBERS HAS BEGUN. OUR PANEL JOINS US NOW.THEY ARE WITH US NOW.

GREAT TO HAVE YOU BOTH HERE.WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS FOR FIVE DAYS AND I WONDER WHATYOU MAKE OF THE TIMING? >>: A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE BEENCRITICAL IT TOOK SO LONG TO RESPOND. JOE:ARE YOU ONE OF THEM? >> I THINK SO.WE HAD PLANS IN ADVANCE, WE WERE WELL ORGANIZED, SOMETHINGHITS US AND WE HAVE OPTIONS, AND MAYBE THEY WANTED TO MOVEOTHER ASSETS IN THE SPACE BUT THOSE CAN BE MOVED ANYWHEREOVERNIGHT, RIGHT? YEAH EMMETT THE CONTEMPLATIONFOR FIVE DAYS OF WHAT TO DO AND.

TO EXECUTE IT, I WILL NOTSECOND-GUESS IT, BUT I THINK CERTAINLY MANY OF US WOULD HAVEBEEN MUCH HAPPIER WITH A MUCH QUICKER RESPONSE. JOE:WHAT DO YOU THINK OF WHAT WE ARE SEEING HERE IN TERMS OF THETARGETS THAT WERE CHOSEN, JEANNIE.THERE WERE CONCERNS THAT U.S. MIGHT HIT IRAN AND START AWIDER WAR. WAS THIS THE APPROPRIATEREACTION? JEANNIE: I DON'T THINK IT HAS BEENTERRIBLY SURPRISING BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN TELEGRAPHING FORFIVE DAYS ESSENTIALLY WHERE.

THEY WERE GOING TO HIT. THE QUESTION IS DOES DETERRENCEWORK. WHEN YOU READTHE PRESIDENT STATEMENT THEY ARE TELLING THE WORLD THIS ISAN DIRECT RETALIATION FOR WHAT HAPPENED TO THE THREESERVICEWOMEN AND 40 WOUNDED, SO THE QUESTION THOUGH NOW IS WWAS IT ENOUGH TO DETER. IN THE PAST WE HAVE HIT ANDTHEY HAVE HIT BACK, SO DETERRENCE IS A TRICKY GAME ANDVERY VERY HARD FOR US TO ACHIEVE.

I THINK THIS IS ONE OF THE MOSTIMPORTANT MOMENTS OF THE BIDEN PRESIDENCY.YOU GO BACK 56 YEARS, THIS IS THE AREA OF THE WORLD THAT HASCONFOUNDED U.S. PRESIDENTS. WE HAVE TRIED TO IGNORE IT,ADDRESS IT. YOU CAN'T DO EITHER WITH THEMIDDLE EAST. YOU CAN'T TURN TO CHINA AND THEY CAN'T DO WHATTHEY WANTED TO DO AND THEY ARE STUCK WITH THIS CRISIS AND BOY,IT WOULD BE A TEST FOR THIS ADMINISTRATION. JOE:YOU MENTIONED THE PRESIDENT STATEMENT THAT READS IN PART,OUR RESPONSE BEGAN TODAY AND.

WILL CONTINUE AT TIMES ANDPLACES OF OUR CHOOSING. RICK, WHERE WE HEAR CALLS FROMCONGRESS IF THIS BECOMES A LONGER-TERM COMMITMENT HERE TOSEEK AUTHORIZATION FOR THE USE OF MILITARY FORCE? RICK:IT DEPENDS ON THE LEVEL OF CONFLICT.IF IT IS TIT-FOR-TAT ACTIVITY, I DOUBT IT.I DON'T THINK COMMERCE WANTS TO GET IN TO THIS.THEY HAVE A LOT ON THEIR PLATE. THE REAL FOCUS IS ON ISRAEL ANDWHAT'S HAPPENING IN GAZA, SO WATCHING THAT AT THE SAME TIME.I WOULD SAY AS AMBASSADOR.

JEFFREY SAID EARLIER IN THEPROGRAM, HIGH-VALUE TARGETS WERE ABLE TO GET BACK TO IRANDURING THIS INTERIM PERIOD, SO WEIGHTING ACTUALLY WAS LIKE ANEXCUSE FOR OK, ALL THE BRASS GET OUT OF HERE.WE WOULD JUST GO IN AND TAKE OUT A BUNCH OF YOUR FACILITIESWITH EXPENDABLE TROOPS. AT SOME POINT IN TIME I THINKTHE SENIOR RANKING OFFICERS HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS KIND OFINCURSION INTO U.S. FACILITIES. SO BOTTOM LINE, IT IS A WAITAND SEE THING. WE HAVE PLENTY OF ASSETS IN THEREGION TO DO WHAT WE WANT TO DO.

IT WILL BE UP TO THE PRESIDENTTO DETERMINE WHAT PACE AND INTENSITY THIS CONFLICT GOES UP.AND I THINK OFFICIAL WASHINGTON HAS TO WAIT AND SEE WHATDIRECTION HE TAKES. JOE: THE PRESIDENT WAS AT DOVEREARLIER TODAY FOR THE DIGNIFIED TRANSFER OF THOSE THREE SERVICEMEMBERS KILLED LAST WEEKEND IN THE ATTACKS THAT BROUGHT FORTHTHIS RETALIATION. HE ALSO MET WITH THEIRFAMILIES, AND AS HE SAID HERE IN HIS STATEMENT, I ATTENDEDTHE DIGNIFIED RETURN. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH EACH OFTHEIR FAMILIES.

I SUSPECT HE TOLD THEM WHAT WASABOUT TO TRANSPIRE HERE. THIS IS QUITE A DAY FORPRESIDENT BIDEN. OUT WILL IT BE RECEIVEDNATIONALLY? JENNE: IT IS VERY IMPORTANT AND HE DIDIT BOTH BY HIS PRESENCE AT DOVER TODAY WITH THE FIRST LADY.HE DID IT IN HIS STATEMENT. I DO HOPE AT SOME POINT WE HEARFROM HIM DIRECTLY IF NOT UP-TO-DATE ON THIS.HE HAS TRIED HARD TO SAY THAT WHEN WE ARE HIP AND — HIT ANDUSE HER U.S. TROOPS, WE WILL RETALIATE.

IT IS NOT A SURPRISE WE HITRIGHT AFTER HE WENT TO DOVER BECAUSE IT IS A MESSAGE THEPRESIDENT WANTS TO SEND. AS HE HAS SAID, WE ARE NOTLOOKING FOR A FIGHT. WE ARE NOT LOOKING FOR A WAR,BUT WE WILL RESPOND AND WE WILL DO SO DRAMATICALLY.I THINK ONE QUESTION TO KEEP IN MIND IS DOES THIS RESULT IN THERE RESPONSE FROM THE PROXIES IN IRAN?GO BACK TO PRESIDENT TRUMP, WHEN WE TOOK HIM OUT, TWOMONTHS LATER THERE WAS AN ATTACK IN TWO MONTHS LATERTHERE WAS AN ATTACK THAT KILLED.

U.S. SOLDIERS.WE DON'T TALK ABOUT IT A LOT BECAUSE WE DID NOT STRIKE BACKON THOSE, BUT THE REALITY IS WE COULD BE CONFRONTING MORECHALLENGES, HOPEFULLY NOT MORE INJURY TO THEIR TROOPS, IFTHERE IS A RESPONSE FROM EITHER IRAN OR THESE PROXIES TO ANY OFTHIS. JOE: CERT THERE WILL BE SOMERESPONSE. I'M ASSUMING THAT WILL DETERMINE WHAT IS NEXT IN THISMULTITIERED EFFORT THE PENTAGON DOES THE INITIAL ROUND OFSTRIKES AND WAYS TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS?THE NEXT DAY OR TWO DAYS LATER?.

RICK: I THINK THAT IS RIGHT.THEY RESPONDED IN KIND. I THINK THE BALL IS IN INIRAN'S COURT. TO THE EXTENT THAT IRANCONTROLS THE MILITIAS THEY FUNDED AND EQUIPPED AROUND THEWORLD. JOE: THAT IS A GOOD QUESTION. RICK:ANY ONE OF THESE COULD MAKE AN ATTACK BASED ON THEIR OWNSELF-INTEREST IN OUR GRANT WOULD HAVE TO PAY A PRICE FORTHAT. IRAN HAS TO CLAMP DOWN. THESE ARE PROBLEMS THEY CREATEDFOR THE WORLD AND HAVE TO SHOW SOME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THAT,IN THEIR ABILITY TO DO THAT.

WILL BE DRAMATICALLY INCREASEDNOW THAT IT IS GETTING CLOSER AND CLOSER TO THEM.I THINK THEY WILL REIGN IN, BUT AGAIN, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THEIRMOTIVATION IS. IF THEY'RE TRYING TO CAUSECHAOS IN THE MIDDLE EAST, ATTACKS FROM YEMEN, SYRIA,HEZBOLLAH, HAMAS, THESE ARE ALL THERE PROXIES COMES THAT THEYHAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO IF THEY THINK THEY WILL GET OUT OFTHIS WITH JUST TODAY'S ATTACK. JOE: THIS COULD BECOME MOREDELIBERATE HERE. JEANNIE, THIS IS TAKING PLACEDURING A DEBATE IN WASHINGTON.

ABOUT WHETHER TO FUND OURALLIES IN UKRAINE AND YES, ISRAEL, AS RICK DAVIS REMINDSUS THAT IS WHY WE ARE IN THE REGION RIGHT NOW, AND HINGINGON THE BORDER DEAL. WE MIGHT GET TEXT ON THAT DEALTONIGHT OR AT SOME POINT OVER THE WEEKEND WE HAVE BEENPROMISED, JEANNIE. I WONDER IF WHAT YOU SEEHAPPENING NOW MAY BE CHANGING SOME MINDS ON CAPITOL HILL WHENIT COMES TO FUNDING OUR ALLIES IN HOT WARS, IF THAT COULDUNLOCK FUNDING FOR BOTH UKRAINE AS WELL AS ISRAEL? JENNE:I CERTAINLY HOPE IT DOES.

IT SHOULD.WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, UKRAINE HAS FOUGHT ON THEIR OWNAND ARE ASKING US TO SUPPORT THE MONETARILY. WE HAD AN OP-ED THE OTHER DAYSAINT THIS IS THE LEAST WE SHOULD BE DOING.WE ARE BEING ASKED TO PAY WITH THE LIVES OF U.S.WOMEN AND MEN OVERSEAS IN THE CASE OF IRAN, IN THISUNFORTUNATE INCIDENT INVOLVING THE STRIKE ON THE DRONE STRIKESHOWS WHAT THAT IS LIKE, SO WE SHOULD FUN IRAN, WE SHOULD FUNDISRAEL, AND WE SHOULD DO THAT.

IN THE SUPPLEMENTAL THEPRESIDENT PUT FORWARD, BUT OF COURSE THERE IS BIPARTISANSUPPORT FOR THAT, BUT ONCE THE REPUBLICANS PUT IN THEIMMIGRATION THAT HAS TIED THIS WHOLE THING UP, SO I'M NOT SUREIF AND WHEN WE COULD GET THAT DONE. JOE: SHE JUST SAID A LOT.I WONDER WHERE YOUR HEAD IS ON THIS. YOU ARE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT ABORDER DEAL THAT WOULD HAVE UNLOCKED THE REST OF THIS.CHUCK SCHUMER SAYS HE'S PUTTING THE PRESIDENT SUPPLEMENTAL ONTHE FLOOR FOR AN UP OR DOWN VOTE, IS AT THE RIGHT MOVE?RICK: YES.

I THINK IT IS A GOOD IDEABECAUSE NOW IT GIVES THE REPUBLICANS AN OPPORTUNITY TODO SOMETHING ON THE BORDER IN EXCHANGE FOR THEIR SUPPORT FORUKRAINE AND ISRAELI AID, SO I THINK CHUCK SCHUMER WILL TAKE AVOTE ON WEDNESDAY AND WE WILL SEE HOW IT GOES.MY GUESS IS YOU HAVE A SUPER MAJORITY IN THE SENATE THATWILL SUPPORT THIS PACKAGE, THEN THE QUESTION WILL FLIP TO THEHOUSE AND WHETHER SPEAKER JOHNSON IS ABLE TO MOVE IT.THE QUESTION IS IS HE A PROXY OF DONALD TRUMP AT THIS POINTSINCE WE ARE USING THAT TERM A.

LOT OR WILL HE SERVE AT THESPEAKER AND GET SOMETHING DONE ON THE BORDER THAT HAS NOT BEENDONE FOR A DECADE? JOE: THOSE ARE SOME BIG QUESTIONS WEHAVE YET TO ANSWER. WE WILL SEE IF THE TEXT CHANGESANY THOUGHTS ON THIS. BIG THANKS FOR THE INSIGHTSTODAY. CHECK OUT THE WASHINGTON EDITION NEWSLETTER.

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