Barry Al-Fayeed is a California pediatrician who also happens to be the second son of a Middle Eastern dictator. Barry reluctantly agrees to return home with his American family for his nephew's wedding. Events thrust him into the complex and turbulent growing pains of a nation straining to break free from dictatorial rule.
When Barry's older brother, Jamal, the newly appointed President of Abbudin, is incapacitated, Barry must put his plans to return to America on hold. His life is further complicated, when his nephew's new bride is kidnapped by terrorists.
While Barry’s decision to stay in Abbudin is met with mixed emotion, the discovery of new evidence connected to the attempted murder of Jamal threatens to drive a wedge between the two brothers.
Tensions boil as the 20th anniversary of the chemical attack ordered by Barry's father, President Khaled Al-Fayeed looms. Barry’s plan to defuse the situation runs into heavy resistance. Meanwhile, Jamal struggles to regain confidence in the bedroom.
As Jamal prepares to throw down the gauntlet on the thousands of citizens gathered in the Plaza to protest his reign, Barry scrambles to put together a summit in the hopes of avoiding violence and bloodshed.
Barry convinces Jamal to meet with exiled opposition leader Sheik Rashid. But when the meeting takes a turn for the worse, Jamal is forced to make a difficult decision that will impact the lives of his family and his country forever.
Jamal is terrified to discover that Sheik Rashid may actually survive Jamal's brutal attack, while Amira's disclosure of a twenty year old secret leads Barry to question everything he's ever believed about his father.
Fed up with Jamal's unpredictable and violent nature, Barry conspires to start a coup and remove his brother from office; while at the same time Jamal is so moved by Barry's willingness to do the unthinkable and hasten Sheik Rashid's demise, that he stops at nothing to prove his worth to his brother.
As the plans for the coup continue to take shape, Jamal proves how far he will go to punish those who oppose him, and Barry's relationship with Molly is pushed to the limit after she learns of the repercussions that await their family.
On the verge of betraying and displacing Jamal, Barry receives troublesome news that threatens to destroy everything he's worked so hard for. Meanwhile, Jamal's rising suspicions lead him to question the loyalty of those closest to him.
Barry waits to find out what his punishment will be for a failed coup, Jamal agonizes over the decision whether to execute him.
Barry is in the desert looking for salvation. Jamal attempts to deal with the loss of his brother.
Barry ends up being taken in by a Bedouin family. Jamal is upset over Tariq's drastic military action.
Barry attempts to adjust to his new identity. A highly decorated war hero is introduced to Jamal.
Molly and Sammy go to Abbudin to address the dispute over his inheritance; Jamal and Tariq's feud over military strategy reaches the point of no return; Barry is afraid his cover will be blown and that those who helped him could be in danger when the Army of the Caliphate arrives.
Barry decides to stay in Abuddin and make a stand against the Caliphate. Jamal pushes the Chinese diplomat for military support. Sammy discovers that Abdul has been kidnapped by the Caliphate.
Jamal believes that the country is spiraling out of control and wants to see a military victory.
Suffering heavy losses, Barry wrestles with the notion that he needs the palace’s support to survive. As paranoia builds within Jamal, he questions where Rami’s loyalty lies. Stricken by Abdul’s death, Sammy plans to give his money to insurgents fighting the Army of the Caliphate.
Increasingly suspicious of those close to him, Jamal believes Khalil is the only person he can trust. Deciding he should no longer hide the truth, Barry reveals to Molly that he’s alive. Hoping to lift Nusrat’s depression, Ahmed asks Nusrat to run away with him. Skeptical of Khalil’s tactical luck, Ihab zeroes in on a traitor in the Caliphate.
Despite having depleted forces, Barry prepares to lead a crucial mission. Fueled by his delusions, Jamal takes extreme action that has far-reaching ramifications. When tragedy strikes close to the palace, Leila realizes the severity of their situation and doubts Jamal’s ability to see them through the storm.
To secure military support, Barry takes advantage of a sandstorm to overrun the Caliphate’s military base. As the political tide shifts, Leila re-examines her loyalties and makes a bold play in the palace. Molly uses all the resources at her disposal to try and save Barry’s life.
It’s a new dawn in Abuddin, and Jamal’s fate - along with that of the Al-Fayeed family - remains uncertain. Recognizing the situation is ripe for turmoil, Barry encourages Rami to stay and oversee the transition. Leila cooperates with the Arab League, hoping to secure a position for herself and Ahmed in the new world order.
With Jamal’s life in danger and Abuddin on the verge of plunging into chaos, Barry steps forward as interim president and sets the stage for democratic elections. Daliyah takes a leading role in the nation, bringing her close to Barry. Swept up in the tides of revenge, army leaders overstep their bounds in securing peace. An American General who shares history with Leila arrives in Abuddin.
Barry discovers that his hold over Abuddin is tenuous. Sammy embarks on a risky relationship. Ihab's desire for revenge is given an outlet. Fauzi returns to Abuddin and is thrust into a political role. Molly’s routine visit to a military hospital goes awry, spelling terrible consequences for the future of Abuddin.
Barry and Molly employ every means available to prevent a personal tragedy. Fauzi and Daliyah become close through work, emboldening Fauzi to hope for a romantic future. Ahmed makes a dark discovery about Nusrat's past.
Barry and Molly respond in wildly different ways to a catastrophe that threatens to throw the country off course. Violent protests break out in Abuddin. Fauzi and Leila launch their political campaigns in earnest while Al-Qadi grapples with his delicate position between Islamic factions.
In the wake of thwarted terrorist attacks, Barry bans open prayer at the University - causing a severe backlash. Al-Qadi speaks out against violence and restriction of religious freedom. Bereft and alone, Barry and Daliyah turn to each other for comfort. Leila’s campaign heats up, alongside her relationship with Cogswell.
Barry's tough policies put Daliyah in grave danger. Al-Qadi enacts a risky plan to broach peace. Fauzi puts his feelings on the line, leaving Daliyah conflicted. As the elections reel out of control, Barry cracks down on the political process. Leila's relationship with Cogswell creates a wedge between her and her sister.
Haunted by Emma's death and his failure to kill Ihab, Barry pushes away his closest allies - including Daliyah. Leila leaves the government in protest and forms an unlikely partnership. Cogswell takes radical action against a blackmailer. Ihab forms a connection with Mahdiya, while the Caliphate ramps up plans to invade Abuddin.
Molly returns to Abuddin with a hardened resolve to pursue her daughter’s killer. Mahdiya is entrusted with a critical job. Leila and Cogswell relish in a brief escape from the world -- only to find that escape is impossible. Barry is thrown by Molly’s cold determination and haunted by images of the daughter he failed. Stuck between the woman he loves, the woman he loved, and the daughter he lost, Barry takes a hard line with the country.
Abuddin descends into chaos. Daliyah persuades Fauzi to leave so he can be a voice of dissent, and she takes a public stand against Barry. In an attempt to regain control, Barry gives Maloof authority to shut down Leila’s opposition, and Ahmed joins to pressure his mother to surrender. Cogswell makes a forceful move that puts his career in jeopardy.
Series Finale. Barry and Molly are on the brink of waging war on the Caliphate. Leila makes a bold political move and braves the possibility of a close betrayal. Barry and Daliyah face a final reckoning in their relationship. The conflict in Abuddin threatens to turn into a bloody civil war.
