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Three hours after learning that drug agents were taken hostage in Colombia, Bartlet gives the order for special forces to rescue them, risking a war. The kidnappers' only demand is that Colombia release a prominent drug lord from prison, but Bartlet refuses to ask that of the Colombian president. The rescue mission fails and nine operatives are killed. Later, Bartlet sadly approves Leo's plan to have the Colombian government inconspicuously release the drug lord without giving the appearance that the U.S. complied with terrorists' demands. The hostages return home--and so do the murdered military personnel. And Abbey tells her husband that she worries his multiple sclerosis will incapacitate him while in office.