Poisoned by email
The story unraveling around David H. Petraeus, the former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) director, and Gen. John R. Allen, the top North American Treaty Organization (NATO) commander in Afghanistan, is more and more serious as days go by.
U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta reportedly ordered an investigation into emails exchanged between Allen and a woman. Allen, who succeeded as the top American military officer in Afghanistan, was recently appointed as the next NATO commander.
According to early investigative results, Allen and Petraeus exchanged 20,000-30,000 emails with Jill Kelley of Florida between 2010 and this year. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) summoned Allen to Washington Monday to further its investigation and there were indications that the affairs could involve other prominent figures. Allen reportedly denied any wrongdoing.
With the scandal snowballing, the Barack Obama administration, the U.S. military and national security in general are taking a hit. Allen and Petraeus are also being suspected of leaking classified information and are facing the possibility of transforming from war heroes to criminals who threatened national security.