Jack Bauer becomes further involved in preventing an assassination attempt on visiting president Omar Hassan. As the crisis continues to escalate, the crew at the newly upgraded CTU is challenged by some unexpected complicated circumstances. Meanwhile, tensions run high when an explosive event jeopardizes international security.

As Jack's day enters the early morning hours, the nation remains vulnerable, and President Taylor presses on with her international peace process. With the possibility of colossal failure facing CTU, attention turns to who is to blame, and things get personal when operatives take matters into their own hands.

While Jack and Cole team up in the field to shield New York from the calamitous threat, a hostage situation has CTU completely stressed out. Meanwhile, unrelenting parole officer Prady presses on in his investigation, and unexpected developments send the Hassan family into a major tailspin.

President Taylor's vision of global peace has been foiled over the last 13 hellish hours, and the situation worsens when the imminent threat of mass destruction clarifies. As her idealistic nature becomes a point of contention, she tasks Jack Bauer with a crucial mission, and advisor Ethan Kanin returns in the heart-stopping.