The unpopular President Jordon Lyman (Frederic March) manages to get a nucleur disarmament treaty through the Senate. Fearing a Soviet attack, his people slowly but surely turn against him.
However Colonel Martin 'Jiggs' Casey (Kirk Douglas) uncovers evidence that the nationally popular head of Joint Chiefs, General James Mattoon Scott (Burt Lancaster), is not planning on waiting the 2 years he was supposed to, to run for Presidential Candidate.
When Casey announces this information to Lyman a sinister web of intrigue starts and now neither side know who can be trusted.