The West Wing
Object

Qumari Cargo Ship Mastico

Qumari freighter Mastico steams through the Mediterranean with 72 tons of weapons and explosives hidden in its holds, bound for Bahji militants in Lebanon. US intelligence exposes the shipment; the Sixth Fleet intercepts without firing. Leo McGarry reports the halt to staff in the Mural Room, then confronts Ambassador Nissir with fury, demanding Qumar reverse course on the vessel amid accusations of terror links and disinformation. Jordan urges de-escalation, but Leo holds firm, turning the ship into a flashpoint for war risks and reelection stakes.
8 appearances

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

8 moments
S4E5 · Debate Camp
Mastico Revealed: Weapons Bound for the Bahji

The Qumari cargo ship Mastico is the focal physical target of the briefing: Fitzwallace identifies its course toward Lebanon and its cargo, converting intelligence into a naval interdiction objective that the President orders halted without firing.

Before: En route east across the Mediterranean, carrying concealed weapons cargo under Qumari control.
After: Ordered to be intercepted and turned around by the Sixth Fleet; halted/reversed subject to naval contact per presidential order (operational intent established).
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S4E5 · Debate Camp
Stop the Mastico — Intercept, Don't Fire

The Mastico is the focal object: Fitzwallace identifies it as the 200-foot Qumari freighter carrying 72 tons of weapons. Bartlet's order transforms it from an intelligence item into an operational target for immediate interception by the Sixth Fleet.

Before: Underway in the eastern Mediterranean, en route to Lebanon with concealed arms aboard.
After: Ordered to be stopped and turned around by U.S. naval forces; being tracked and subject to interdiction orders.
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S4E6 · Game On
The Lucky Tie and Leo's Send‑Off

The Qumari cargo ship Mastico is introduced as the geopolitical catalyst that abruptly shifts the room's focus from domestic optics to international crisis; its interception turns a wardrobe moment into national security business.

Before: Steaming through the Mediterranean bound for Bahji militants carrying concealed cargo.
After: Stopped and interdicted by U.S. naval action (warning shot), becoming the subject of White House diplomatic and legal deliberation.
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S4E6 · Game On
Containment by Conversation — The Mastico Quiet Diplomacy

The Qumari cargo ship Mastico is the causal object of the crisis: Leo reveals it was stopped carrying 72 tons of weapons destined for the Bahji, making it the central evidence point that drives legal, diplomatic, and political decisions in the room.

Before: At sea under Qumari control en route to Lebanon with concealed arms shipments.
After: Stopped / intercepted at sea by U.S. forces (per Leo); now the subject of diplomatic and legal maneuvering.
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S4E6 · Game On
Ten-Word Drill and the Mastico Confrontation

The Mastico functions as the catalytic intelligence item: Leo reports it was stopped carrying weapons to Bahji, transforming a day of debate prep into a diplomatic/military crisis that mandates NSC action and a quiet call to Ali Nassir.

Before: At sea, steaming through the Mediterranean bound for Bahji militants with cargo aboard.
After: Intercepted by U.S. forces (halted by the USS Austin) and now the subject of White House diplomatic and legal deliberation.
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S4E6 · Game On
Ultimatum in the Mural Room: Credibility vs. Escalation

The Qumari cargo ship Mastico is the immediate diplomatic leverage point: Leo demands that the ambassador order the Mastico turned around because it carries 72 tons of weapons bound for Bahji. The vessel functions as the tangible proxy for Qumar's alleged bad faith and the diplomatic test that could avert or trigger war.

Before: Intercepted by the Sixth Fleet, steaming through the Mediterranean with concealed weapons bound for Bahji militants.
After: Publicly demanded by Leo to be turned around; the Ambassador is ordered to make the call (call not shown), shifting the ship from a covert moving threat to an explicit diplomatic lever.
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S4E6 · Game On
Turn the Boat Around — Jordan Warns Leo

The Qumari freighter Mastico is the central diplomatic fulcrum referenced in the confrontation; Leo's ultimatum demands Nissir call to turn the Mastico around, making the vessel the proximate leverage point for de-escalation or escalation.

Before: Steaming in the Mediterranean allegedly bound for Bahji militants with weapons; under Qumari control and under US Sixth Fleet interception per staff briefing.
After: Subject of Leo's public ultimatum; ordered (by implication) to be turned around once Ambassador Nissir makes the call (narratively escalated to an active diplomatic requirement).
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S4E6 · Game On
Leo's Ultimatum: Mastico, Disinformation, and No More Games

The Qumari cargo ship Mastico functions as the scene's geopolitical fulcrum: Leo uses it as leverage, demanding it be turned around to prevent delivery of 72 tons of weapons to Bahji. Its course is the immediate, tangible action Leo seeks to change to avert further violence.

Before: En route, intercepted by U.S. Sixth Fleet intelligence (implicit), steaming toward its destination with weapons onboard.
After: Subject of an explicit U.S. diplomatic ultimatum; ordered to be turned around in Leo's demand, but outcome remains unresolved within the scene.
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