A new report from the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence has reignited the debate over Havana Syndrome, a mysterious illness first reported in 2016 that has afflicted U.S. national security officials worldwide. The unclassified report, released Thursday, states it “appears increasingly likely that a foreign adversary is behind some” cases of these unexplained health incidents, also known as anomalous health incidents (AHI).
Criticism of past intelligence assessment
The committee sharply criticized a 2023 intelligence community assessment led by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), which concluded it was “very unlikely” that a foreign power was responsible for the illnesses. The House Intelligence Committee described the assessment as lacking “analytic integrity” and “highly irregular in its formulation.”
Although the ODNI report represented the government’s leading view on Havana Syndrome, it acknowledged that some intelligence agencies had only “low” or “moderate” confidence in its findings. This has fueled ongoing concerns about the thoroughness and accuracy of the investigation.
Adding to the controversy, Thursday’s report accused intelligence agencies of obstructing the committee’s independent inquiry into the matter.
Russian involvement in Havana Syndrome
A recent joint investigation by The Insider, 60 Minutes, and Der Spiegel pointed to Russia as a potential culprit. According to the report, U.S. officials targeted by Havana Syndrome may have been victims of “sonic attacks” involving advanced acoustic weaponry developed by Russia’s secretive Unit 29155.
The investigation placed operatives from Unit 29155 near the scenes of reported incidents and noted that senior members of the unit had received accolades for their work on “non-lethal acoustic weapons.”
Despite these claims, the Kremlin has consistently denied involvement. “Nobody has ever published any convincing evidence, so all this is nothing more than a groundless and unfounded accusation,” said Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov on April 1.
What is Havana Syndrome?
Havana Syndrome is marked by debilitating symptoms such as migraines, dizziness, fatigue, cognitive impairment, and memory loss. Victims have likened the experience to intense, localized pressure or a sensation similar to a “dentist drilling” amplified to extreme levels.
Some sufferers have required long-term medical care. Brain scans have shown tissue damage and volume loss similar to that seen in concussion patients.
The first publicly acknowledged cases emerged in 2016, when U.S. embassy staff in Havana, Cuba, reported severe headaches, nausea, and hearing piercing sounds. However, the recent investigation suggests earlier incidents may have occurred, including a 2014 case in Frankfurt, Germany, where a U.S. consulate employee was allegedly incapacitated by a directed energy beam.
Since the Havana outbreak, over 1,000 cases have been reported among U.S. personnel globally, with incidents spanning continents and intensifying scrutiny on potential causes.
Diverging views on the cause
The U.S. intelligence community remains divided. While the 2023 ODNI assessment downplayed the likelihood of foreign involvement, dissent persists. Former Defense Department investigator Greg Edgreen told 60 Minutes, “The common link between victims is what I call a ‘Russia nexus.’ There are no barriers on what Moscow will do, on who they will attack.”
Edgreen warned of escalating risks if the issue isn’t addressed comprehensively: “If we don’t face this head-on, the problem is going to get worse.”
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