Beirut

In 1972, U.S. diplomat Mason Skiles lives in Beirut with his Lebanese wife, Nadia, and a young Palestinian boy named Karim, whom they have taken in. The family tries to build a life together amidst the ongoing turmoil in the region.

During a party hosted by Skiles, CIA officer Cal Riley requests to interrogate Karim, suspecting his brother of involvement in the Munich massacre. Tensions rise as Skiles is forced to consider the implications of the request.

The party turns into chaos when Karim's brother, Rami, orchestrates an attack, resulting in Karim's abduction. In the midst of this violence, Nadia is tragically killed, leaving Skiles devastated.

Fast forward ten years, Mason Skiles is living in New England, struggling with alcoholism and the weight of his past trauma. He works as a labor arbitrator, haunted by memories of the tragic events in Beirut.

Skiles' life takes another turn when he is approached by an old client, Sully, who represents the U.S. government. Sully provides Skiles with the opportunity to return to Lebanon for a lecture, offering him funds, a ticket, and a new passport.

Despite his initial hesitation, Skiles travels back to Beirut to confront the ghosts of his past. Upon arrival, he meets with various State Department officials and learns about Cal Riley's recent kidnapping.

Skiles faces the kidnappers, revealing that Karim is leading the negotiations and has demanded the release of his brother in exchange for Riley. This reestablishes the connection between old friends as they navigate a perilous situation.

Suspecting that Rami is being held by Israel, Skiles and Gary Ruzak urgently search for information regarding Rami's whereabouts. Their investigation leads to tense discussions with Israeli officials, who confirm Rami's absence.

Skiles meets Alice, Riley's wife, who expresses her anger and blames him for Riley's kidnapping. She reminds him of his guilt over Nadia's death, adding emotional weight to Skiles' mission to save Riley.

A secretive meeting with Roni Niv exposes Israel's intentions for a military invasion of Lebanon under the guise of rescuing Cal. This fact complicates matters and weighs heavily on Skiles as he navigates international politics.

While delivering his lecture, a devastating car bomb explodes outside the venue, plunging everyone into chaos. In the midst of the chaos, Skiles manages to meet Karim, who guides him to where Riley is being held.

Karim informs Skiles that the PLO is holding Rami and demands a trade for Riley. This revelation intensifies the urgency of the situation as Skiles realizes the complexities of negotiating with the PLO.

Skiles learns about Gaines's malfeasance, indicating that he may be obstructing Riley's release through embezzlement. This revelation leads Skiles to suspect ulterior motives within his own ranks.

After securing CIA funds for negotiations, Skiles sets up a risky exchange for Rami. Just as the deal seems promising, Rami is shot and killed by a hidden Mossad sniper, complicating the escape for the American team.

Before leaving Beirut, Skiles discovers that Gaines has unexpectedly retired, prompting Gary to consider filling the roles left vacant. With a chance at redemption, Skiles prepares to offer his negotiation skills in the ongoing conflict.