When ruthless terrorists hijack an American merchant ship -- the fastest in the world -- they're hoping to spark an international incident, and that's just what they get. Half of America is screaming for their blood, but the peace-minded President rejects military retaliation...and suddenly finds himself facing open revolt. When Jim Dillon, special assistant to the Speaker of the House, discovers a long-forgotten power in the Constitution that allows Congress to conduct a limited, private war without presidential approval, his ambitious boss sees an opportunity to humiliate his rival in the Oval Office. Meanwhile, in the Pacific, a "rogue" battle group with its special commission from Congress races toward a deadly rendezvous with the terrorists.

Flashing between the political clash in Washington and the countdown to assault halfway around the globe, Balance of Power builds up to a suspenseful crescendo that blends Capitol Hill infighting, international terrorism, and state-of-the art military technology into an epic confrontation with world peace at stake.