What is Havana syndrome?

Havana syndrome is a mysterious health condition that has affected numerous United States diplomats, intelligence officers, and other government personnel worldwide since 2016. The syndrome is characterized by a range of symptoms, including headaches, nausea, vertigo, memory loss, and balance issues. Many affected individuals have reported hearing strange sounds before the onset of symptoms.

Origins

The first cases of Havana syndrome were reported in late 2016 by US embassy staff in Havana, Cuba. The incidents began approximately a year after the US reopened its embassy in Havana following the normalization of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2015. Some US intelligence officials and embassy staff experienced sudden bursts of pressure in their brains, followed by persistent symptoms such as headaches, disorientation, and insomnia.

Spread of Cases

Since the initial incidents in Cuba, US officials have reported similar experiences in various countries, including:

• China: In early 2018, US diplomats at the Guangzhou consulate reported symptoms similar to those experienced in Havana.
• Uzbekistan: An incident was reported by a USAID employee at the US Embassy in Tashkent in September 2017.
• Russia: Cases have been reported in Moscow.
• Poland, Georgia, Taiwan, Colombia, Kyrgyzstan, and Austria: US officials have reported Havana syndrome-like incidents in these countries.
• United States: In 2019 and 2020, incidents were reported in Washington DC, including one near the White House.
• India: In 2021, the first case in India was reported when a US intelligence officer traveling with CIA director William Burns to New Delhi experienced symptoms consistent with Havana syndrome.

As of 2024, hundreds of incidents have been reported worldwide.

Suspected Causes

The exact cause of Havana syndrome remains unknown, but several theories have been proposed:

• Microwave Weapons: Some experts suggest that the symptoms may be caused by exposure to high-powered microwaves, which can damage or interfere with the nervous system. The use of microwave weapons has been a subject of research and experimentation by both Russia and the US since the Cold War.
• Sonic Attacks: Initially, there was suspicion that the syndrome was caused by a “sonic attack” carried out by Cuba, given the countrys historically hostile relationship with the US. However, this theory has been largely discounted in favor of the microwave weapon hypothesis.
• Mass Psychogenic Illness: Some skeptics argue that Havana syndrome could be a case of mass psychogenic illness, where psychological factors lead to the spread of similar symptoms within a cohesive group. However, this theory does not account for the physical evidence of brain damage in some affected individuals.

Russian Intelligence Unit Suspected

In 2024, a joint media investigation by The Insider, Der Spiegel, and CBSs 60 Minutes found evidence suggesting that a Russian military intelligence unit, known as 29155, might be responsible for the Havana syndrome attacks. The 29155 unit has been operational for over a decade and has been previously accused of carrying out assassinations, subversion, and sabotage in foreign countries.

The investigation claims that members of the unit were present at locations where suspected attacks on US personnel and their families occurred. The first incident likely took place in Germany in 2014, two years before the cases reported in Havana. However, the Kremlin has dismissed these accusations, stating that no evidence has been presented to support the claims.

Month: Current Affairs - December, 2020