Valerie Plame affair

The Valerie Plame affair involved the outing of CIA officer Valerie Plame in 2003, shortly after her husband, Joe Wilson, criticized the Bush administration's justification for the Iraq War. Wilson's op-ed suggested that claims about Iraq acquiring uranium from Africa were false. Following this, Plame's identity was leaked to the media, which raised concerns about national security and political revenge. The scandal led to investigations, including the conviction of Scooter Libby, a top aide to Vice President Dick Cheney, for obstruction of justice and perjury. The affair highlighted issues of intelligence, political accountability, and the risks faced by covert operatives.