Again, with the derring-do of various parts of the armed forces, under the wise direction of the President (with Ryan's advice), the U.S. prevails over the forces of evil.
After the real-life September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attack, the book will be largely be remembered for its prophetic conclusion, in which an embittered Japanese airliner pilot crashes his 747 into the Capitol building during a joint session of Congress with the President attending. This paves the way for Ryan, who has just been appointed Vice-President, to become President in the next book, Executive Orders.