Shadowy elements within the State Department secretly cause tensions to flare between Iran and the former Soviet republic of Azerbaijan. They desire to start a shooting war to improve their personal power and revenue. At exactly the same time, the conspirators decide to up the ante – by deposing the leader of the United States. Within a treacherous plan, they convince the leader that he is mentally unpredictable, and a silent coup d’etat is within their reach. On alert, Paul Hood as well as the Op-Center team race the clock to prevent war, save the president – and expose the traitors. Clancy’s imagination is at its fast-paced greatest within this gripping tale of statesmanship gone terribly wrong.