Joost de Wolf is a hardened and savvy soldier who has devoted his life to the army. In 2014 he is appointed Deputy Commander Operations of the UN mission in Mali. Upon his arrival, the Malinese army launches an attack on the insurgents and Joost finds himself in a mission unable to keep the factions apart. Hampered by the lack of political will from the UN and his own masters, he starts questioning official policies and unwittingly jeopardizes his career.