Havana Syndrome Mystery Solved? Putin Spies Tied to US Diplomat 'Attacks'
NewsweekApr 01
Report: Russia Possibly Behind 'Havana Syndrome'
The Facts
A joint investigation by the Insider, Der Spiegel, and the CBS news program 60 Minutes claims Russia may be to blame for US diplomats and other officials suffering a mysterious set of ailments called “Havana syndrome.” A report on the years-long investigation aired Sunday.
Victims of the reported health incidents allegedly endured symptoms including severe headaches, dizziness, nausea, and ear pain. The incidents are often referred to as "Havana syndrome" as the first documented cases were reported at the US Embassy in Havana, Cuba in 2016.
The Spin
Establishment-critical narrative
Sunday's bombshell report moves beyond circumstantial evidence and makes it all but certain that Moscow is behind "Havana syndrome." Russia has the technology, capability, and motive to deploy non-lethal acoustic weapons to disrupt the US. The US government should reopen its investigation immediately and respond with due diligence and greater empathy to civil servants who have suffered through this attack and subsequent neglect.
Pro-establishment narrative
The US government has studied the allegations of Havana syndrome in detail. These outcomes of this investigation have not established causality between reported symptoms and a foreign adversary. Government agencies are concerned about reported symptoms and their personnel and will explore holistic solutions and employee well-being to enhance occupational health and safety.
Pro-Russia narrative
This report is just more fear-mongering by the US against Russia. Whenever any person or official in the US suffers from any ailment, the American media and some government officials quickly blame Russia without evidence. This silliness needs to end, and the Kremlin will continue to push back against baseless accusations.
Nerd narrative
There's a 13% chance that there will be a war between the US and Russia before Jan. 1, 2050, according to the Metaculus prediction community.