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Defense · Geopolitics · Havana Syndrome · Intelligence
Outgoing Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard rescinded two Biden-era intelligence assessments on Thursday, concluding Havana Syndrome was unlikely caused by foreign adversaries, citing selective evidence exclusion, mischaracterized sources, omitted key information, and reliance on an ethically flawed medical study.
The retracted assessments, released in March 2023 and January 2025, previously stated foreign adversaries were "very unlikely" to be responsible for the anomalous health incidents (AHI) affecting over 1,500 US personnel since 2016. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rick Crawford (R-Ark.) had demanded the retraction, asserting the reports were "flawed, fraudulent, and manufactured" and caused "significant harm" to victims.
Gabbard's office confirmed future Havana Syndrome assessments will adhere to rigorous ethical standards, incorporating all available intelligence. Internal US intelligence agencies believe Russia is responsible, with CBS News reporting in March 2026 that the US military purchased a miniaturized microwave weapon from a Russian criminal network for $15 million in 2024, which caused similar neurological injuries in animal testing.
Symptoms include ear pain, memory lapses, fatigue, migraines, dizziness, cognitive problems, and hearing loss.
