(CNN) -- The unexpected resignation of David Petraeus as head of the CIA must have come as a shock to many Americans, especially given his impeccable record as a distinguished military commander. But like the greatest heroes from Shakespeare, it would appear that he was not exempt from the time-honored temptations of human folly and self-destruction. 

And now the plot is thickening, as details emerge that Gen. John Allen, the commander of U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan, is involved somehow in the scandal. 

As Americans are coming to terms with the revelation of Petraeus' adultery, on the other side of the Atlantic, the feeling among the French can be summed up by a blasÃ© shrug. 

Every time a steamy sexual intrigue is laid bare near the corridors of Washington power, the French don't see what all the fuss is about. It's only sex, after all. It's impossible to imagine a French political leader resigning because of an extramarital indiscretion. If this rule were observed, the French parliament would be nearly vacant. 

The Petraeus affair: A lot more than sex 

The past five French presidents are known to have had at least one -- and in some cases, many more -- mistresses throughout their political career. The current resident of the ElysÃ©e Palace, Francois Hollande, has been caught in the middle of an embarrassing dispute between his previous and current female companions. The French, long used to regarding their leaders with cynical detachment, have been following this tormented domestic feud with interest and maybe some contempt. 
Who was head of the CIA?
Is he still in charge?
What happened?
Who is in charge of US and NATO troops?
In which country?
How do the French feel about these events?
Where does the French president live?
How many French presidents haven't been faithful?
Have any had more than one mistress?
Who is the current president?
How could Petraeus's record be characterized?
What country is Petraeus from?
How many temptations are mentioned?
What's the first one?
And the second?
How many other people are in Hollande's dispute?
Who is one?
And the other?
How does Hollande feel about it?
Is it a domestic or international feud?
David Petraeus
David Petraeus
no
The unexpected resignation
adultery
adultery
Gen. John Allen
 Gen. John Allen
Afghanistan
Afghanistan
they don't see what all the fuss is about.
don't see what all the fuss is about.
ElysÃ©e Palace
ElysÃ©e Palace
6 including the current
The past five
yes
and in some cases, many more 
Francois Hollande,
 Francois Hollande,
a distinguished military commander.
a distinguished military commander. 
America
America
Two
human folly and self-destruction
human folly
human folly
self-destruction
self-destruction
Two
previous and current female companions
previous female companion
previous 
current female companion
current female companion
embarrassed
 embarrassing
domestic
domestic