The Most Extensive Investigation Into ‘Havana Syndrome’ Turns Up… Nothing?
Biomarkers and MRI scans look no different among those affected by these “anomalous health incidents” compared to controls.
Imagine you’re a diplomat, or analyst, or an intelligence officer stationed in a country that is hostile to the US. You’re in your room at the embassy, or hotel, or safe house, trying to get some rest when, suddenly you feel a pressure in your head, perhaps accompanied by a high-pitched ringing. You feel dizzy, disoriented. The strange part? A clear sense of directionality — the sound and pain seem to be coming from somewhere. Weirder still — as you stand up and move about the room the sensation changes — certain places in your physical space make it worse, certain ones make it better. Are you under attack?
The cluster of symptoms I’m discussing has an official name — “Anomalous Health Incidents” AHIs — which is about as descriptive as “Unidentified Flying Object” but you probably know this condition by its original moniker: Havana Syndrome.
It was 2016 when the first cases were reported by US personnel stationed in Cuba, though over the years US government employees stationed in China, Europe, and even Washington D.C. have reported similar symptoms. The case count…
