In November 1984, the Soviet Union's best submarine captain violates orders and heads for the U.S. in a new undetectable sub. The American CIA and military must quickly determine: Is he trying to defect or to start a war?

CIA Analyst Jack Ryan is drawn into an illegal war fought by the US government against a Colombian drug cartel. An aggrieved first term President authorizes a secret military incursion into Columbia after a personal friend is killed by men connected to the leader of the Cali Cartel. Jack Ryan, promoted as Deputy Director of Intelligence at the CIA, is unintentionally mired in the scheme. He secures funding for the operation from Congress but is unaware that troops will be used. As the operation escalates, Ryan realizes the illicit nature of the mission and organizes a rescue operation after US soldiers are betrayed and captured in Columbia. Despite the President's attempts to silence him, Ryan reveals all details of the operation to Congress.

CIA analyst Jack Ryan finds himself targeted by a renegade IRA faction after he interferes with their assassination plans. With his family in danger, Ryan must return to work for the CIA to protect them and stop the terrorists.