Plot
Modern Warfare 2 is set several years after the conclusion of Call of Duty 4.[14] The radical Russian Ultranationalist organization has returned to prominence under the leadership of Vladimir Makarov, a former associate of Imran Zakhaev with his own ambitions. Makarov has publicized Zakhaev's death as an act of martyrdom to garner support for his cause, enabling him to build a strong power base in Russia over the years. Fearful of Makarov's growing influence, the global community established Task Force 141 to counter the threat posed by the resurgent Ultranationalists.[15]

An early campaign mission called "Cliffhanger" was demonstrated during E3 2009, following the player character Sergeant Sanderson as he and Captain MacTavish infiltrated a Russian base in the Tian Shan mountain range in Kazakhstan and escaped on snowmobiles.[18]

Characters
During the single-player campaign, the player will take on the role of Sergeant Gary "Roach" Sanderson, a young member of an elite, multinational commando unit known as Task Force 141.[18] The player character in Call of Duty 4, Sergeant John "Soap" MacTavish, returns as a non-playable character; promoted to captain in the Special Air Service, MacTavish is now the head of the Task Force and Sanderson's superior officer.[9] A third member of the Task Force is Ghost, a mysterious character who conceals his face with a skull-imprinted balaclava.[19]