WASHINGTON — Recent evaluations by U.S. intelligence have revealed no conclusive evidence tying any foreign entity to the so-called “Havana syndrome,” a term used to describe a range of mysterious injuries experienced by American diplomats and various government workers overseas. However, two intelligence agencies now suggest that it’s plausible a foreign adversary could have developed or even utilized a weapon linked to these health issues.
This latest finding aligns with preliminary investigations, occurring after a thorough review by seven intelligence agencies and departments that explored cases of brain injuries and associated symptoms reported by American diplomats and military personnel. The assessment has fueled ongoing inquiries into whether foreign adversaries might be behind these incidents.
According to the assessment released by U.S. intelligence on Friday, five out of the seven agencies deemed it highly unlikely that any foreign power caused these injuries. In contrast, two agencies arrived at a different conclusion, suggesting a potential and possible link to a foreign-developed weapon that could produce effects akin to those reported, possibly through the use of acoustic energy, microwaves, or other directed energy mechanisms.
The symptoms, which involve headaches, balance issues, and cognitive disturbances, first came to light in Cuba in 2016, prompting the designation of “Havana syndrome.” Since then, hundreds of U.S. personnel in various nations have reported similar ailments.
The Biden administration is under increasing scrutiny to delve deeper into these allegations following numerous reports of serious brain injuries among its officers, believed to be targeted by what some speculate as hostile actions intended to harass and harm American workers abroad. Yet, officials have struggled to provide a clear explanation for these reports.
In the updated analysis, while the two agencies did not uncover specific evidence linking any incident to technologies from Russia or any other nation, their conclusions were based on a general understanding of foreign weapon capabilities and developments. One agency determined there exists a “roughly even chance” that a foreign government employed or tested a weapon in a limited number of instances involving U.S. personnel.
Conversely, the second agency assessed that while it remains conceivable a foreign power may have created such a weapon, it is improbable that it was used in any reported cases.
The findings disclosed on Friday indicate a “shift in critical judgments by certain intelligence segments,” emphasizing the necessity for further research, according to National Security Council spokesperson Sean Savett. Savett stated, “Our unwavering focus on these priorities must persist. It is crucial for the U.S. government to continue vital research, investigate credible claims, and enhance efforts to ensure upfront medical care and long-term health monitoring.”
An intelligence official, who provided insights on the recent evaluation, played down the significance of the change, emphasizing that the two agencies which kept open the notion of foreign involvement expressed “low confidence” in their conclusions. Speaking anonymously in accordance with regulations from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the official highlighted that other national security entities had more assurance in their findings that foreign governments were not involved and that specific intelligence indicators raised doubts regarding foreign participation.
“There is no intelligence establishing a link between a foreign actor and any precise incident,” the official articulated to reporters.
