Simon Foster, the British Minister for International Development, unintentionally stirs up political turmoil when he makes an off-hand remark indicating that war in the Middle East might be "unforeseeable." His statement catches the attention of both pro- and anti-war factions within the British and American governments. As officials scramble to either capitalize on or contain his gaffe, Foster finds himself being whisked to Washington, D.C., where he becomes embroiled in a high-stakes game of political maneuvering. Malcolm Tucker, the Prime Minister's aggressive and foul-mouthed Director of Communications, works tirelessly to control the narrative and manage the fallout from Foster's comments.

Amidst the chaos, on the American side, Lieutenant General George Miller and Assistant Secretary for Diplomacy Karen Clarke, are working together to build opposition against the war. As communications blur and alliances form and dissolve at the speed of a news cycle, these officials must navigate a treacherous landscape of misinformation and backdoor dealings. Throughout the tumult, Foster's initial gaffe amplifies, threatening to tip an already tenuous international situation over the edge. The ensuing scramble reveals the deep dysfunctions within both the British and American political systems as they grapple with the prospect of war.