US Intelligence Divided Over Causes of Havana Syndrome, According to Report

Many U.S. intelligence agencies believe that the Havana Syndrome was not instigated by a foreign adversary; however, a few agencies continue to keep that possibility open. Read Full Article at RT.com

US Intelligence Divided Over Causes of Havana Syndrome, According to Report
The US intelligence community remains divided regarding the origins of the Havana Syndrome, a perplexing health issue affecting numerous American diplomats abroad, as highlighted in a recent government report released on Friday. Although most agencies consider it "very unlikely" that a foreign power is behind the condition, some officials suggest that an adversary may have developed a device capable of causing the symptoms.

The syndrome manifests with symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, hearing loss, memory difficulties, and issues with concentration. It was first reported among US embassy personnel in Havana, Cuba, in 2016.

Since then, reports of similar symptoms have arisen in various locations, including China, Russia, South America, and Australia, leading to over 1,500 cases documented worldwide.

Despite the US government's ongoing investigation, a definitive cause for the syndrome has yet to be established. Leading hypotheses among scientists include environmental factors, stress, or the use of directed-energy weapons.

According to a report from the US National Intelligence Council, five US intelligence agencies maintain that it is "very unlikely" a foreign adversary is responsible for the alleged anomalous health incidents.

Nonetheless, two unidentified agencies have expressed differing opinions. One agency noted there is a "roughly even chance" that a foreign actor "has actually used a novel weapon or prototype device to harm" US personnel. Another agency echoed this sentiment, suggesting a "roughly even chance" that a foreign entity developed such a weapon. Despite these assessments, both agencies express low confidence in their conclusions.

An unnamed senior US official remarked to the New York Times that "the bottom line was that the mystery remained,” and emphasized the importance of acknowledging that “we don’t have all the answers."

There has been speculation regarding Russia as a potential source of the syndrome; however, Moscow has dismissed these claims, labeling them as "unsubstantiated media allegations."

Max Fischer contributed to this report for TROIB News