U.S. Intelligence Community Can’t Link Havana Syndrome Cases to Foreign Enemy



CNN

The US intelligence community cannot link any cases a mysterious ailment known as “Havana Syndrome”. foreign adversary, ruling it unlikely that the unexplained illness was the result of a targeted campaign by a U.S. enemy, according to US intelligence assessment posted on Wednesday.

The latest finding comes years after the so-called syndrome first appeared and refutes the theory that it could be the result of a targeted campaign by a US enemy.

The new estimate echoes CIA interim report Last year, they found it unlikely that the “abnormal health events,” as they are officially called, were caused by an “ongoing worldwide campaign” by Russia or any other foreign entity.

Wednesday’s assessment also goes further, according to US intelligence officials, finding that there is no credible evidence that a foreign adversary has a weapon or collection device capable of triggering the mysterious incidents.

Officials also explained that medical analysis was also evolving in such a way as to exclude the involvement of the enemy.

“I can share with you that most intelligence agencies have concluded that it is “highly unlikely” that a foreign adversary is responsible for reporting AHI. The IC agencies have varying levels of credibility because we still have gaps, given the challenges posed by foreign adversaries — as with many issues related to them,” said Director of National Intelligence Avril Haynes.

The mysterious illness first surfaced in late 2016 when a group of diplomats stationed in the Cuban capital of Havana began reporting symptoms consistent with a head injury, including dizziness and severe headaches. In subsequent years, cases have been reported worldwide, including at least 60 cases in Bogota, Colombia, and Vienna, Austria. On Wednesday, officials said the US government had about 1,500 cases in 96 different counties, including several cases reported this year. but the number of reported incidents has dropped significantly over the past year.

The assessment, which is the result of the work of seven intelligence agencies, draws on the vast resources of the US intelligence community, including analysis of hundreds of incidents and a wide range of contributing factors, officials said.

However, Wednesday’s assessment does not provide definitive answers to the question of what caused the illness that has sickened hundreds of US government employees and their families around the world.

There is no single explanation for these events. There are many different possible causes, officials said, including environmental as well as social factors and pre-existing medical conditions.

The assessment is likely to lead to further frustration among those affected, who have been punished by the US government for not taking the condition seriously enough or for a slow investigation.

“There is something contrary to common sense in all this. If doctors diagnose some of us with a qualified brain injury in the line of duty, and we do not say that it was a foreign enemy, then what happened? said one former CIA agency officer who had symptoms.

Intelligence community officials were notified of the assessment on Wednesday, officials said. In recent days, the victims have been notified of the upcoming assessment, and some of them received a phone call from CIA Director Bill Burns, one of the sources said.

In a statement, Burns said the assessment is “one of the largest and most intense investigations in the Agency’s history,” saying it “reflects over two years of careful, painstaking collection, investigative work, and analysis by IC agencies, including the CIA.” “.

“I want to be absolutely clear: these findings do not call into question the experiences and real health issues reported by US government officials and their families, including their own CIA officers, while serving in our country,” he said.

According to one official, the investigative actions were “extremely invasive” and carried “a high degree of risk.” According to the official, intelligence officials carefully studied what happened in the hours, days and weeks leading up to the incidents.

In some cases, they found faulty heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems that can cause discomfort to people, and in other cases, computer mice caused unexpected failures.

“We didn’t find what we expected to find,” one US official said. “There is no single explanation for all of this.”

Criminal activity also took place around some incidents, such as the presence of arms dealers. But when intelligence officials pursued these leads by looking into the perpetrators’ backgrounds, their families and their travels, they found no connection to the mysterious health incidents.

Officials even considered aliens as the cause, but they said they found no connection.

Officials said the evidence points to foreign involvement, including citing “confusion” over the issue among major opponents.

Overall, officials found no evidence to support one of their incoming suggestions that one or more government officials caused the incidents, they explained.

There is nothing to indicate that these incidents were the result of an insider attack, officials said. Officials did not discuss whether the US had weapons that could have caused these incidents.

The findings also follow last year’s report by a panel of experts, including scientists from within and outside the government, who found that “pulsed electromagnetic energy” emitted from an external source could “plausibly” cause the mysterious incidents. While the latest intelligence assessment does not completely rule out this possibility, it does appear to cast doubt on it, concluding that no US adversary has the proper weapon or mechanism that would be required to do so.

US officials said one of the lessons learned from the investigation is that the US government needs to take better care of the health and safety of the workforce.

Over the past year, the CIA and the State Department have begun compensating victims whose symptoms required at least a year of medical attention. Compensation efforts are “separable and distinct” from intelligence assessment and will continue to be pursued, officials said.

Following the release of the assessment, administration officials made it clear that support would continue.

“We will continue to ensure that our colleagues who report these incidents are treated with respect and empathy, have timely access to healthcare, and we will continue to process payments in accordance with the Havana Law based on the eligibility criteria set out in the law. “said State Department spokesman Ned Price.

However, the future of the US government’s investigation of these incidents is a bit murky.

Officials did not specify whether the intelligence community task force dedicated to the effort would continue its work, but Haynes said the work “will and must continue.” The Pentagon also has a panel of experts that continues to investigate the case.

This story has been updated with additional information.