Arab Press

بالشعب و للشعب
Friday, Jun 20, 2025

Electromagnetic energy pulses could be behind Havana Syndrome illness affecting US diplomats and spies

Electromagnetic energy pulses could be behind Havana Syndrome illness affecting US diplomats and spies

"Pulse electromagnetic energy, particularly in the radio frequency range, plausibly explains" the symptoms some of those suffering the mysterious ailments first reported by US diplomats in the Cuban capital in 2016, according to a report by US intelligence experts.

Intelligence experts believe around 1,000 US diplomats and intelligence officers hit by a mysterious illness known as Havana Syndrome could have been targeted by electromagnetic energy pulses.

"Pulse electromagnetic energy, particularly in the radio frequency range, plausibly explains" the ear pain, vertigo, and other symptoms some of those suffering the mysterious ailments first reported by US diplomats in the Cuban capital in 2016, according to a report by intelligence experts inside and outside of the US government.

The panel said the combination of symptoms "cannot be easily explained by known environment or medical conditions" among a subset of victims.

The report did not disclose the number of people affected in its unclassified executive summary, but cases have been reported in Russia, Austria, China, Tajikistan and some African countries.

Deliberate use of energy


Last week the CIA announced that it considers it unlikely Russia or another foreign adversary is mounting a broad campaign to attack Americans with energy-emitting devices.

But while most cases have been linked to other causes by doctors and experts, there remains a smaller subset of several dozen cases experts believe could be explained by the deliberate use of energy.

The findings of the report, released on Wednesday, "reinforce the need for a coordinated, whole of government approach," said Mark Zaid, a lawyer representing victims from numerous US government agencies.

"These piece-meal agency reviews at times reveal inconsistent and even contradictory results."

Symptoms 'genuine and compelling'


Eric Lander, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, said the panel worked for nearly nine months and was the first of several expert groups to have such extensive access "to intelligence reporting and patient data".

The panel found the symptoms "are genuine and compelling" based on medical reports and interviews with victims and physicians.

In finding "pulsed electromagnetic energy" could be the cause, the panel said "information gaps exist" but there are several plausible ways the energy could have been generated "each with its own requirements, limitations and unknowns".

'Non-standard antennas and techniques' could send signals through air and buildings


Such sources exist that "are concealable and have moderate power requirements," the report said.

"Using non-standard antennas and techniques, the signals could be propagated with low loss" through the air and building materials.

Individuals accidentally exposed to electromagnetic energy signals, which include radio waves, microwaves and X-rays, have reported "sensations" similar to those reported by Havana Syndrome victims, the report said.

Ultrasound could also account for the symptoms, but only if a victim was in close proximity to the beam, because ultrasound "propagates poorly through the air and building materials," it added.

The report said psychosocial factors, including work demands, stress and depression, cannot alone account for the core symptoms of Havana Syndrome.

On Tuesday, President Joe Biden named a senior National Security Council official to coordinate his government's response to possible incidents related to Havana Syndrome.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Arab Press
0:00
0:00
Close
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
G7 Leaders Fail to Reach Consensus on Key Global Issues
Mass exodus in Tehran as millions try to flee following Trump’s evacuation order
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
Iran Conducts Ballistic Missile Launches Amid Heightened Tensions with Israel
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
Shock Within Iran’s Leadership: Khamenei’s Failed Plan to Launch 1,000 Missiles Against Israel
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
Wreck of $17 Billion San José Galleon Identified Off Colombia After 300 Years
Iran Launches Extensive Missile Attack on Israel Following Israeli Strikes on Nuclear Sites
Israel Issues Ultimatum to Iran Over Potential Retaliation and Nuclear Facilities
Coinbase CEO Warns Bitcoin Could Supplant US Dollar Amid Mounting National Debt
Trump to Iran: Make a Deal — Sign or Die
Operation "Like a Lion": Israel Strikes Iran in Unprecedented Offensive
Israel Launches 'Operation Rising Lion' Targeting Iranian Nuclear and Military Sites
Israeli Forces Intercept Gaza-Bound Aid Vessel Carrying Greta Thunberg
IMF Warns of Severe Global Trade War Impacts on Emerging Markets
Syria to Reconnect to Global Economy After 14 Years of Isolation
Saudi Arabia Faces Uncertainty Over Succession After Mohammed bin Salman
Israel Confirms Arming Gaza Clan to Counter Hamas Influence
Majority of French Voters View Macron's Presidency as a Failure
U.S. Reduces Military Presence in Syria
Trump Demands Iran End All Uranium Enrichment in Nuclear Talks
Iran Warns Europe Against Politicizing UN Nuclear Report
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
EU Central Bank Pushes to Replace US Dollar with Euro as World’s Main Currency
European and Arab Ministers Convene in Madrid to Address Gaza Conflict
Head of Gaza Aid Group Resigns Amid Humanitarian Concerns
U.S. Health Secretary Ends Select COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
Trump Warns Putin Is 'Playing with Fire' Amid Escalating Ukraine Conflict
India and Pakistan Engage Trump-Linked Lobbyists to Influence U.S. Policy
U.S. Halts New Student Visa Interviews Amid Enhanced Security Measures
Trump Administration Cancels $100 Million in Federal Contracts with Harvard
SpaceX Starship Test Flight Ends in Failure, Mars Mission Timeline Uncertain
King Charles Affirms Canadian Sovereignty Amid U.S. Statehood Pressure
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Founder Warns Against Trusting Regime in Nuclear Talks
×