The memogate controversy (also Mullen memo controversy) revolves around a memorandum (addressed to Admiral Mike Mullen) ostensibly seeking help of the Obama administration in the wake of the Osama bin Laden raid to avert a military takeover of the civilian government in Pakistan, as well as assisting in a Washington insider takeover of the government and military apparatus. The timeline of events indicate that the memo, delivered in May, was still being acted on behind the scenes in October 2011; when Mansoor Ijaz wrote a Financial Times article bringing initial public attention to the affair.