A young CIA targeter, Lena Asayran, connects a 2007 attack on US forces in Iraq to the CIA’s greatest adversary, Imad Mughniyeh. Lena manipulates a defector from Iran into revealing the murky origins of Imad’s rise at 19 years old. In 1983, CIA officer Robert Ames believes he can force Israel to withdraw and implement a regional peace plan. But young Imad senses an opportunity and plans the first suicide bombing in the Middle East. Ames’ optimistic vision clashes with Imad’s determination to remake the Middle East.

Following an attack on the US Embassy, the CIA appoints soldier-of-fortune William Buckley as the new Station Chief, along with case officer Chet Riley to track down the unknown attacker. Chet recruits a source close to Imad and uncovers the only image the CIA would have for the next 25 years. Imad escalates his attacks, bombing the US Marines barracks and kidnapping Buckley rattling the White House and CIA Director William Casey. The US withdraws from Lebanon and Imad Mughniyeh emerges as one of the most powerful players in the Middle East.

Two decades after his emergence, Imad Mughniyeh is weary of his life in the shadows. Imad has his men kidnap US soldiers in Iraq, but their failed escape draws the attention of Lena Asayran. The head of Mossad, Meir Dagan orders his best officer, Teddy, to contact Lena to persuade the CIA to help kill Mughniyeh. Imad falls for a businesswoman in Damascus, and the family drama that unfolds creates an unprecedented opportunity for Lena and Teddy to identify Imad for the first time in 25 years.

Armed with the evidence she and Teddy have gathered, Lena asks the White House to authorize the killing of Imad; but the operation is only possible if the CIA works hand-in-hand with Mossad. Imad persuades Iran to provide him access to chemical weapons. The enormous stakes and time pressure lead to a near-rupture between Mossad and the CIA, until Lena extracts more information from the Iranian defector, Imad’s original recruiter back in Beirut, which enables the joint CIA-Mossad operation to enter its decisive, final chapter.