A new global struggle for resources in the Arctic begins as the ice melts, as major powers such as Russia, America, Canada and China compete to control the new waterways.
Events escalate in Libya, and Elizabeth tries to broker a peace agreement, but a car accident involving a local girl threatens the negotiations and changes events.
Elizabeth tries to obtain funding for the electricity network in a Syrian refugee camp, while the government projects are disrupted, causing an energy crisis across the country that worsens over time.
Elizabeth finds herself facing a new challenge, as she must negotiate an end to the government shutdown that is paralyzing the country. Meanwhile, she faces difficulties in finding a suitable replacement for Nadine, which further complicates the situation.
Elizabeth has to figure out a way to hold a human trafficking conference in Kyrgystan after the ambassador to Kyrgystan is announced persona non grata.
Following the capture of a CIA agent by terrorists, the President and Elizabeth refuse to negotiate with the terrorists to bring the agent back, so the team must find an alternative solution to save the agent without responding to the terrorists' demands.
A dissident from Russia flees to the United States after getting infected with dangerous smallpox, so Elizabeth and retired UN Ambassador Kat Sandoval begin working with the Russian Foreign Minister to contain the spread of the disease.
Elizabeth and her team become embroiled in a serious diplomatic crisis after an attempt to extradite a leader of a Mexican cartel to the United States fails.
Elizabeth organizes a party to convince senators to sign a treaty on landmines, while Henry seeks to implicate the Senate majority leader in the crime of colluding with Russia.
Elizabeth discovers that diplomatic solutions are better for the government of Afghanistan than a battle with the Taliban, while Henry and Dmitri seek to recruit a Russian agent to work for the United States.
Vice President Theresa Hearst feels threatened by Elizabeth becoming the next president, so she tries to derail her with a false claim, while Elizabeth and Henry discover that their daughter is seeing Dimitri.
A sonic attack rocks Bulgaria, and President Dalton threatens Russia with retaliation over its supposed involvement, leading some to question his mental state.
Elizabeth intervenes to resolve a strange diplomatic crisis when a psychic persuades the Sri Lankan president not to sign a trade agreement with the United States.
Jay and Kat's plan to let LGBQT refugees into the United States fails when a country closes its borders, threatening American diplomatic relations with neighboring countries.
Elizabeth's feelings oscillate between her patriotic duty and her sense of morality when she receives an assignment to present the Presidential Medal of Freedom to someone who may not be worthy of it, while President Dalton is unsure of his ability to return to his job.
The eyes of US Department of State employees turn to the twentieth anniversary of the embassy bombing in Uganda, while Elizabeth's feelings oscillate between sadness and responsibility as she decides the fate of the sanctions imposed on the responsible country.
Elizabeth's negotiations with Iran deteriorate in their second phase after claims are made that funds from Phase 1 were used in a bombing, in which an American citizen was killed. Henry faces a fateful decision that involves a new position.
US efforts to fight gang violence in South America are derailed by the abduction of an American citizen, while Elizabeth grows concerned about the impact of her work on her personal life.
A bomb explodes during an international summit on Arctic issues while Elizabeth is present, and amidst these chaotic and tense events, the Russian government becomes involved in the matter.
Elizabeth tries to find a quick solution to the refugee problem without getting involved, as she is being closely monitored by the press.
The lives of millions are at risk when terrorists threaten to create a flood in the Middle East, while Elizabeth's hopes of obtaining approval from one country to close the dam vanish after the government becomes suddenly in trouble during a coup.
Elizabeth and the government are forced to prepare for fateful repercussions after President Dalton declares a retaliative nuclear attack on a country that launched missiles at the United States.