Medicine & healthcare

US Intelligence: Foreign Adversaries Unlikely to Blame for 'Havana Syndrome'

MAR 1 2023·Updated MAR 2 2023

Story

Image credit: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images [via The Wall Street Journal]

The Facts

The findings of a multi-year investigation carried out by seven US intelligence agencies and released on Wednesday into the so-called Havana syndrome — a series of unexplained symptoms consistent with brain injury — cast doubt on longstanding suspicions that the hundreds of cases resulted from the actions of a foreign adversary.
New York Post
Five of the agencies asserted that it was "very unlikely" that a foreign adversary was responsible for the symptoms, either purposely or incidentally, while another agency deemed it "unlikely." A seventh agency avoided commenting about a foreign actor.
The Washington Post
It reverberates an interim report from the CIA last year that also found it unlikely that the "anomalous health incidents" were caused by "a sustained worldwide campaign" by any foreign actor.
CNN
US officials and agents who have reported experiencing the symptoms pushed back on the findings, questioning their validity and urging investigations to continue as they insist that outside weaponry is to blame.
FOX News
While the US agencies determined that there was no "credible evidence" that any adversaries had developed a weapon or a collection device to cause the injuries after reviewing intelligence, the Pentagon hasn't ended its inquiry as it has yet to find an explanation behind the symptoms.
The New York Times
Roughly 1K cases of "anomalous health conditions" – including ringing in the ears, followed by pressure in the head and nausea, headaches, and acute discomfort – have been reported and investigated, with the first ones appearing at the US Embassy in Havana in 2016.
Guardian

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

Though the US intelligence community has departed from the years-long narrative that a foreign adversary was causing health incidents experienced by hundreds of government officials and their families, there's yet no explanation for those suffering after serving their country. Investigations into potential reasons must continue, especially because radio-frequency energy remains a possible cause.

Politico

Narrative B

It's disturbing that the US intelligence community has yet to entirely dismiss the absurd scientific hoax called Havana syndrome, allowing the government to approve compensation for the alleged victims despite the best explanation for these concussion-like symptoms being mass hysteria, possibly due to stress. Even UFO abductions are more credible than allegations sustaining this theory.