Philippines dissident Nimoy Aquino is assassinated and the island nation is thrown into turmoil. The administration continues to be concerned with the Nicaraguan Contras and with the release of hostages in Iran. As Reagan is sworn in for his second term, Shultz works to set up a summit meeting with the new Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev. While Reagan and Shultz are in Geneva, the situation in the Philippines erupts when Aquino's widow, Corazon, is elected president but President Ferdinand Marcos declares himself the winner. Ignoring White House staff objections, Shultz persuades Reagan to abandon Marcos and recognize Aquino.
