Jack Ryan investigates a secret plan to restore the Soviet Empire through war, embarking on a dangerous op with the help of Rome Station Chief Elizabeth Wright and Head of Russia House James Greer. Meanwhile, an sleepytime on home soil forces Czech President Alena Kovac into a dangerous position with Russia.

Jack, out in the cold and on the run after the fallout from his failed operation in Greece, must evade authorities both foreign and domestic before receiving help from an old friend.

Jack travels to Vienna to track down the source of his original intelligence on Sokol. Greer advises Alena on a key NATO deal. Petr Kovac, Alena's father, hosts a hunt in the Czech woods.

In Budapest, Jack and Mike plan a sting on a slippery arms dealer to ascertain the whereabouts of the Sokol nuclear device, as Greer discovers some intriguing and potentially incriminating information on Petr Kovac.

Jack and Mike head to a mysterious, abandoned outpost in Russia to seize the Sokol nuclear device, but an unexpected visitor foils their plans. Meanwhile, Petr seeks to rescue Alena, who has been kidnapped by her own head of security.

Jack races to stop the detonation of the Sokol nuclear device, which has traveled to the Czech Republic. Petr and Luka's secret histories come to the surface in a deadly reckoning.

In Moscow, Jack teams with Luka to expose the high-ranking cabal members within the government who are now orchestrating the secret Sokol plan.

Jack, Greer, Wright, Alena and Luka all work in concert to prevent the start of a third world war.