For years, U.S. personnel stationed overseas have reported strange and debilitating health problems, including dizziness, nausea, memory issues, and trouble with balance. These mysterious ailments, often referred to as “Havana syndrome,” first came to light in 2016 when staff at the U.S. Embassy in Havana, Cuba, fell ill under puzzling circumstances. Now, a recent report from two American intelligence agencies has opened up the possibility that some of these cases may have been caused by a foreign adversary using advanced weaponry.
This new finding marks a subtle but significant shift in what the U.S. intelligence community believes about these incidents. While the majority of American spy agencies continue to believe that it’s “very unlikely” a hostile nation like Russia is behind the syndrome, two agencies now think otherwise. One agency believes there is an even chance that a foreign power used a novel weapon to harm U.S. personnel. Another agency says it’s possible such a weapon exists but might not have been used yet.
This judgment stems from fresh intelligence about progress made by foreign adversaries in developing weapons that could use radio-frequency energy. Such devices are capable of causing symptoms like those reported by Havana syndrome victims. The National Security Agency, which focuses on electronic signals and eavesdropping, is believed to be one of the agencies behind this revised view.
Health Incidents Still Shrouded in Mystery
The mysterious symptoms reported by victims have puzzled doctors, scientists, and intelligence officials for years. Cases have not been limited to Cuba; U.S. personnel in China, Eastern Europe, and other regions have also reported being affected. Victims describe a variety of neurological problems, such as ringing in the ears, confusion, and difficulty concentrating.
In 2023, a previous intelligence report concluded it was highly unlikely that any foreign nation was responsible for the incidents. That conclusion drew sharp criticism from victims, some of whom feel their suffering has been dismissed or ignored. Recent lab research, however, has provided some new insights. Studies have shown that radio-frequency weapons could potentially cause biological effects in humans, resembling the symptoms of Havana syndrome. Although the results are mixed, they have reignited discussions about whether a foreign-made weapon could be the culprit.
Adding to the intrigue, scientists advising U.S. spy agencies concluded in 2022 that some of these cases could not be explained by known medical or environmental causes. They suggested that pulsed electromagnetic energy, the kind a radio-frequency weapon might produce, is a plausible explanation for certain incidents.
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Despite these findings, most U.S. intelligence agencies have not uncovered concrete evidence linking a foreign power to any specific Havana syndrome incident. In fact, intelligence officials say they’ve intercepted private conversations in which adversaries like Russia expressed surprise and denied any involvement in the health episodes.
U.S. Agencies Face Backlash for Handling Cases
The handling of Havana syndrome cases has caused frustration among victims and criticism of U.S. agencies. Many affected CIA and State Department employees have said they encountered distrust and delays when seeking medical care. A recent bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee report also faulted the CIA for its inadequate response to the problem, further fueling dissatisfaction.
In response to the growing controversy, President Joe Biden signed legislation in October 2021 to provide financial assistance to affected employees. More recently, top officials in the Biden administration met with victims to apologize for the way their cases had been handled. During the meeting, officials reportedly acknowledged that new information challenges the earlier conclusion that no foreign power was involved.
The White House has described the updated intelligence as a “shift in key judgments.” Officials have also pointed out that scientific and medical investigations still leave open the possibility of a foreign-made weapon being responsible for at least some of these incidents.
While much remains unclear, this new report has reopened debates about the origins of Havana syndrome. For now, the mystery continues to haunt hundreds of affected U.S. personnel and the agencies tasked with keeping them safe.
