Set 18 months after season 7, the story arc involves Jack Bauer contending with assassination threats made during a peace conference between President of the United States Allison Taylor and President Omar Hassan of the fictional Islamic Republic of Kamistan (IRK). The season is set in New York City, with CTU's New York City Office having been re-activated,

Counter-terrorism agent Jack Bauer attempts to stop the assassination of United States Senator David Palmer on the day of the California presidential primary, while those spearheading the assassination plot stop at nothing to exact revenge on Bauer and Palmer.