The 10 strangest details of the David Petraeus affair [Updated]

This tangled, tortured story of sex, national security, and jealous emails shows that truth really is stranger than fiction

Jill Kelley leaves her home on Nov. 13: Kelley and her husband, a doctor, apparently bankrupted their cancer charity after less than a year.
(Image credit: Tim Boyles/Getty Images)

The story of the extramarital affair that brought down previously unimpeachable CIA Director David Petraeus and threatens the career of Afghanistan war commander Gen. John Allen — as well as at least three marriages — is almost literally unbelievable. "My immediate gut is like this is the National Enquirer," Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), the chair of the Senate intelligence committee, tells CNN. "I mean, every day there is something new." And every new thing is stranger than the last. Here are 10 of the oddest twists and subplots — so far:

1. The Broadwells romanced as we learned of Paula's infidelity

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Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.