Former CIA Analysist Sues

The Bush administration's handling of pre-Iraq war intelligence is once again in the spotlight.

A federal judge has ruled that a CIA agent identified only as "Doe," allegedly fired after he gathered prewar intelligence showing that Iraq was not developing weapons of mass destruction, can proceed with his lawsuit against the CIA. The judge has ordered both parties to submit discovery requests–evidence they want for their case–to be completed by March 15, according to the CIA agent's lawyer and a spokesman for the Justice Department, which is defending the CIA in court.

This is the last thing the White House wants. The Valerie Plame leak case has already shed great light on how the administration was determined to go to war. Facts be damned. What's interesting is the Justice Department wants the identity of the terminated CIA analysist protected. The Bushies didn't feel that way about Plame. That also means no media is not allowed to interview the analysist. How convenient.

The Justice Department attempted and failed to have U.S. District Judge Gladys Kessler throw out the case. Kessler also would not ruled out that the analysist was fired because he didn't make the intelligence fit the policy.

Short answer: this is another potential PR nightmare for the White House.