Almost correct RRAMThe Jack Ryan Series:
The Hunt for Red October (1984) - Ryan is CIA analyst...you know.
Patriot Games (1987) - Jack foils the Irish terrorists, asked to join CIA by Greer, actually a prequel to Red October.
The Cardinal of Kremlin (1988) Star Wars, Jack saves a highly placed spy.
Clear and Present Danger (1989) - Jack is made Acting Dept. Director on Greers death, Cocaine is bad...mmmkay.
The Sum of All Fears (1991) - Terrorists get a bomb, Jack is Dept. Director, booom.
Debt of Honor (1994) Ryan comes out of retirement to be NSA. War with Japan. Sworn in as VP at the end of this book.
Executive Orders (1996) - Ryan is POTUS.
Bear & Dragon? - Struggling through it now....Clancy politics instead of good fiction.