The Sum of All Fears

In 1973, Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack against Israel.

By Day Two, Israeli ground forces appeared on the verge of defeat.

In the event that their ground forces were overrun, an Israeli A-4 jet took off on patrol...

...with one nuclear bomb.

- Sure it's the Russians? - One hundred percent, sir.

Submarine-launched, 12 to 15 megatons,

and they went to strike status 15 minutes prior.

CINCLANT reports the Roosevelt's splashed six incoming cruise missiles.

Russians are moving west through Poland.

If they head for Germany, we've got the Berlin Brigade,

but they're outnumbered.

Sir, we've got another launch, this one from Aleysk, Central Russia.

I don't believe it. What the hell's in Aleysk?

SS-18 lCBMs. Probable targets, New York, Washington, here.

- How good is this ceiling? - Anything but a direct hit.

Satellites confirm birds in the air, multiple launches,

first impact estimated 25 minutes.

- How do we know that's accurate? -lt's accurate.

- Sir, I advise we go to DEFCON-1. - Get President Zorkin on the hotline.

Zorkin is missing, sir. We have reports of a coup in Moscow.

General Bulgakov is calling the shots now.

Who the hell is Bulgakov?

The asshole who wanted to use nukes in Chechnya.

Sir, DEFCON-1, we're out of time.

Do it.

Mr. President.

Sir, it'll take about a minute for the launch sequence

to process after you give the order.

Before the order can be taken, an ID check must be performed.

My ID number is fifth from the top.

- Sir, it's your wife on 2104. - Thank you.

- Yeah. - Under the two-man rule,

the order must be confirmed by someone on the approved list.

Gene Revell, National Security Advisor, second from the top.

Is it black-tie?

Okay, I'm on my way.

Can we finish this up some other time?

No?

We've got to update these fire drills, Billy.

I mean, if the shit ever hits the fan. I'm not going underground.

The place is a goddamn tomb down there.

We also have to choose someone else to face off against

besides the Russians all the time.

Do we?

Let's see, who else has 27,000 nukes for us to worry about?

It's the guy with one I'm worried about.

Speaking of Russia, I have to send some folks over there,

inspect their nuclear decommissioning facility.

Place called Armazaz.

Arzamas.

Yeah, whatever.

Just think someone from your staff should be on the trip.

L'll go.

Billy, send staff.

I wanna go.

Okay.

And don't underestimate Zorkin, pal.

Between his economy, crime, Chechnya...

- His liver... - What's left of it.

How is he, by the way?

Well, he's scheduled a press conference for this afternoon,

so at least we know he can sit up.

- Why not negotiate? - The interview is over.

Chechnya is part of Russia.

It is only criminals and their friends in the West who wish it to be separate.

But, Mr. President, if you will kindly come back,

we do have a few more questions we would like to ask you.

You guys see what I see?

His jacket.

Yeah, he used to be able to button it all the way up.

He's getting fat.

I know how he feels.

Wow, look at that.

Maybe it's not the same jacket.

No. Yeah. Yeah. The one with the shiny sleeves.

He wore it the last time he got out of the hospital.

He's definitely off the diet.

He's also off the wagon. You hear how he slurred...

That must be why Chelinski's hanging around, to keep him off the sauce.

- Where's Chelinski? - Next to...

What's her name?

The chick with the brown hair.

- Elena Rishkov. - No, that is not Chelinski.

Busted. It's Chelinski.

- No. You're thinking Cherpitski. - No, I'm not.

- That ain't Cherpitski, either. - I know. It's Chelinski.

No, it's not. Believe. Trust me.

Look! He is standing next to Elena Rishkov.

He was banging her at the Geneva summit.

Chelinski was not at Geneva. Cherpitski was at Geneva.

So, what are you saying? Cherpitski was banging Elena Rishkov?

I'm just saying Zorkin's putting on weight, really.

I don't know why you have to reduce everything to sex. It's just disgusting.

I agree. Write it up.

And if he is putting on weight, that might have health consequences.

So be sure and get it in the afternoon brief.

And somebody find out who is banging Elena Rishkov.

This is good.

So what shall we make of Chechnya asking the West for protection?

She is like a beautiful virgin

escaping the clutches of a lecherous bear,

and running to Bill Clinton to save her maidenhood.

A poet once wrote, "Meet the new boss, same as the old boss."

He could've been writing of us, of Europe in the 21st century.

Over 50 years of America and Russia

imposing their will on the European community, east and west.

And we're still treated like children.

But without the toys or the good-night chocolates.

Each day we lose a little bit more of our separate, sovereign ability

to determine our own futures.

And, each day, the world comes just

a little bit closer to that terrible moment

when the beating of a butterfly's wings

unleashes a hurricane God himself cannot stop.

So what is it?

Are you blind?

It's a bomb.

Where's the fuse?

It's warm.

So am I. Come on. I don't have all night.

It's a dud.

Let's get it on the truck.

But how can we sell it now?

There's always someone who'll buy this crap.

I cannot stand all these questions about my health.

I am to be described as "robust" and "healthy".

Is that yours or mine?

It must be yours. Mine's just for show.

It's not the hospital.

- Cool. - Good.

- Hi. - You're still here?

Well, I think to be accurate and everything,

it's actually you who is still here.

- Right. - Yeah.

Not that I'm complaining.

Jack?

I know this is new and all, but...

I have something I have to say, or I'm gonna explode.

It's just. I don't want you to be scared.

What?

You're in love with me.

Jack, I'm a medical professional. I can read the symptoms.

You're definitely in love with me.

And that scares you.

Not even a little.

But I think it scares you.

No. Not even a little.

And, for the record, you're the one who brought it up.

Forget it.

-L'm gonna get it. - No, wait, it'll stop.

I don't know who this is.

- Just go about your business. - The timing sucks.

Do what you have to do. I totally understand.

Yes, this is Dr. Muller.

No!

Muller. You paged me?

Hello?

Stop.

Yes, this is Jack Ryan.

Jesus.

Okay, I'll be there in half an hour.

I gotta go. I have an emergency at work.

I have to run. I'm sorry.

- Cathy, how about dinner tonight? - Yeah. Yeah.

- How about tomorrow night? - Jack, I said yes to tonight.

I know.

What kind of emergency does a historian have?

He died at 0420 Zulu.

Eight and a half hours later, they swore in a new president.

Now, everybody wants to know who this new guy is.

Who is he?

Alexander Nemerov.

You're kidding me.

- I wrote a paper about him a year ago. - I know.

No, Mary Pat, I said he could be next. I said he could be the next guy.

- I predicted this. - I know. I know.

- And nobody read it. - Yeah, they're reading it now, buddy.

- Who? - Cabot.

I've been here 14 months. I don't think he knows what I look...

Are you Ryan?

Yes, sir.

What is this, The Paper Chase?

Well, sir, my...

Well, come on. We're late.

You're about to breathe air that's way over your pay grade, so listen up.

You're gonna be asked for analysis and advice,

so be goddamn sure you know what you're talking about before you give it.

Don't be afraid to say you don't know.

And choose your words carefully.

Words have a habit of being turned into policy.

Hey, you, give me your coat.

Come on, come on. You'll get it back.

Tie.

So, Intelligence Committee?

I've watched these on C-SPAN.

Never actually been to one.

You'll never watch one of these on C-SPAN.

But our most important assessment

comes from a highly-placed source inside the Kremlin.

In his opinion, Nemerov does not owe his ascension to the military.