A stolen US army drone. A shrinking oasis in the Sahara Desert. A secret stash of deadly chemicals. Each is a threat to the stability of the world but, individually, are problems that can be overcome. In the diplomatic arena though, everyone will have a different way of dealing with such a threat. And when those in charge disagree and refuse to back down, it will kick off an international chain reaction with potentially catastrophic consequences - a world edging closer to war ... Now three people - A spy working undercover with jihadists, a brilliant Chinese spymaster and a US president beleaguered by a populist rival for the next election - must work tirelessly, and with the utmost skill, to stop that from happening. The only question is, in a game of brinksmanship can the inevitable ever be stopped?