Merged US may close Cuba Embassy over 'health attacks'

[dann]

Blinken's latest statements have not gone unnoticed in Cuba:

Google translate:

The New York Times reaffirms what Cuba has denounced so many times: there is no evidence of a sonic attack (+ Video)

The statement came after a meeting called by the director of National Intelligence, Avril D. Haines, with the intention of evaluating the investigations carried out on the alleged sonic attacks on State Department officials, CIA officials and their families.

The saga of the so-called «Havana syndrome», used by elements of the extreme right in the US and the Cuban-American mafia to justify a toughening of the policy towards Cuba, and reinforce the idea that Russia and China constitute a threat to world security is back in the news.

As reported on Monday by The New York Times, "the United States lacks evidence to blame other nations for the existence of sonic attacks against its citizens inside or outside the country."

The statement came after a meeting called by the director of National Intelligence, Avril D. Haines, with the intention of evaluating the investigations carried out on the alleged sonic attacks on State Department officials, CIA officials and their families.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, present at the meeting, stated that these "unexplained health incidents" are a high priority, although there is no evidence to accuse any country with any certainty that microwaves are the cause of the illnes.
Reafirma The New York Times lo que Cuba ha denunciado tantas veces: no existe evidencia de ataque sónico (+ Video) (Granma.cu, Aug. 10, 2021)

 

[dann]

... McCaul’s bill more specifically calls on the U.S. to exact financial retribution on whoever is ultimately deemed responsible for the attacks. The bill would also restrict foreign assistance and arms exports.

“Around the world, American personnel are being attacked in their homes, in hotels, and even on public streets,” McCaul said in a statement.

“We must find out who is behind these attacks and hold them responsible. And we must reassure the people who serve our nation overseas that we have their backs.”

The bill also requires a report to Congress within six months covering the U.S. response to the attacks.
Top Foreign Affairs Republican seeks sanctions over 'Havana Syndrome' attacks (The Hill, Aug. 8, 2021)

'We have no idea who they are. We don't even really know what it is. But we have your backs!'
I am sure that the MIB are in hot pursuit of the assailants ...

 

[dann]

Skeptic Mag:

A State Department report on 'Havana Syndrome' obtained by CNN through a Freedom of Information Act request "concludes that the US government's response and investigation into the so-called Havana Syndrome may have been botched from the beginning" and was characterized by "chaos" and disorganization (Oppmann, 2021). This may help to explain a recent New York Times report that the former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency under Donald Trump, Gina Haspel, has expressed skepticism as to whether an attack even took place (Barnes 2021). As the head of the world's most powerful data collection agency, if there had been clear and convincing evidence for the origin of 'Havana Syndrome,' she should have known.
The Biden CIA Is Re-Examining 'Havana Syndrome' (Skeptic Magazine on Facebook)

 

[Twilek]

Thank you, dann, for keeping this thread going. It's my go-to source of info to stave off the 'targeted individual' claims I get from a true believer.

 

[Gord_in_Toronto]

IT'S BACK!

US officials in Berlin struck by ‘Havana syndrome’ symptoms
-- Guy Chazan in Berlin, August 19 2021

https://www.ft.com/content/7a289217-89fe-414c-936b-7b0fa859926d

You'd think (TM), that with all the resources at the command of the US Government, it could afford to buy a Spectrum Analyzer or two. You can buy the basic components on the 'net and put one together for under $200. Ones that reach into the higher radar frequencies will set you back a bit more but I see one that goes to 22GHz for $2500.

Given all the cold War type speculation and paranoia, I would hope that very US embassy, consulate and outhouse was equipped with one by now.

The fact that no one has reported finding errant radio waves, my supposition is that there aren't any. Is the CIA sure those goats did not die? Maybe they were not stared at long enough?

 

[dann]

This one is based on the article in WSJ but not paywalled:

The U.S. government is investigating after several staff members at the American embassy in Berlin started experiencing symptoms similar to a mysterious condition known as “Havana syndrome” that has been hitting U.S. diplomats and spies around the globe.

Two U.S. officials said the staff members in Berlin started reporting symptoms in recent weeks, confirming a report in the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday, including nausea, severe headaches, ear pain, fatigue and insomnia. Some were unable to work due to the severity of their symptoms and have been sent home.
US officials in Berlin report potential ‘Havana syndrome’ cases (Politico.eu, Aug. 19, 2021)

I guess that "in recent weeks" means that the new "baseline testing program for diplomatic employees before they leave for field assignments" mentioned in post 889, will come in handy now, but it may be only two cases. On the other hand, it could be a misunderstanding of the article saying that two US officials reported about others coming down with 'Havana syndrome':

At least two US officials in Germany developed symptoms consistent with "Havana Syndrome" and sought medical treatment, according to a Wall Street Journal (WSJ) report published on Wednesday citing unnamed US diplomats.
(...)
Similar incidents had been reported recently by US officials in other European countries, the WSJ said, but the quoted diplomats did not provide further details.
The report added that the intelligence officers and diplomats who developed symptoms had been working in Russia-related areas, including cybersecurity, gas exports and "political interference."
US officials in Germany reportedly suffer 'Havana Syndrome' symptoms (DW, Aug. 19, 2021)

New cases in Berlin were already mentioned one month ago. See post 890.

The CIA appears to be working on the development of handheld microwave detectors:

... another “element” of the Havana syndrome probe is to “develop portable sensors that could be widely distributed to detect attacks.” Clearly, Washington wants a way of both identifying and attributing these purported microwave attacks to a particular culprit, or culprits – which can only raise alarm bells, given it’s a matter of public record US intelligence services have ways of falsifying attribution for cyberattacks.
US ‘frustrated’ it has no evidence Russia is behind ‘Havana syndrome’ - but don’t expect the blame game to be over anytime soon (RT.com, Aug. 10, 2021)

The quotation in the RT article comes from the NYT article earlier this month: 'Havana Syndrome' Attacks Still a Mystery (NYT, Aug. 9, 2021)

 

[dann]

It has not escaped the attention of the German media that the 'Havana Syndrome' has spread from Vienna to Berlin.
Der Spiegel focusses on the microwave idea:

Auch kleine Antennen können so gebaut werden, dass sie Energie gebündelt auf ein überschaubar großes Ziel abstrahlen können – Experten sprechen von phasengesteuerten Gruppenantennen. Für Bangert ist vorstellbar, dass sie auch in einem Koffer Platz finden. »Solche Geräte können aussehen wie ein Tapeziertisch, den man ausklappt«, sagt er.
Strahlen aus dem Hinterhalt (Spiegel, Aug. 22, 2021)

You can also build small antennas so that they can radiate bundled energy to a manageably large target - experts speak of phase-controlled group antennas. For Bangert, it is conceivable that they could also fit in a suitcase. "Such devices can look like a wallpapering table that you fold out," he says.
Ambushed by rays

So now we know what to be on the lookout for: When the decorator comes knocking, he may be a Russian microwave sniper in disguise!

Kenneth R. Foster, the Department of Bioengineering at the University of Pennsylvania, is not impressed by the idea that cell phones could somehow be used to emit brain-damaging microwaves:

Könnten Handys als Mikrowellenwaffe dienen? Foster findet das aus seiner Laborerfahrung völlig abwegig: »Wir reden hier über hochleistungsfähige Militärsender, die als exotische Waffen dienen – aber ganz sicher nicht über Handys oder andere Endkundengeräte.«
Doch genau diese starken Mikrowellen sind bislang nicht gemessen worden im Zusammenhang mit den Gesundheitsbeschwerden. Das sei verwunderlich, so Foster: »Ich kann mir kaum vorstellen, dass man Menschen mit derartig extremen Mikrowellenpulsen beschießen kann, ohne dass das auffällt. Bei so einem Angriff würden wohl die Bluetooth-Kopfhörer durchbrennen, und die Prozessoren in ihren Autos und Computern würden wohl beschädigt werden.«

Could cell phones serve as microwave weapons? From his lab experience, Foster finds this completely absurd: "We're talking about high-performance military transmitters that serve as exotic weapons - but certainly not about cell phones or other end-user devices."
But so far, these strong microwaves have not been detected in connection with the health complaints. This is surprising, according to Foster: “I can hardly imagine that you can shoot people with such extreme microwave pulses without them noticing. In an attack like this, the Bluetooth headphones would burn out and the processors in their cars and computers would be damaged."

I wonder if anybody has considered basing an entire season of X Files on the 'Havana syndrome' ...

 

[JoeMorgue]

Possible Havana syndrome incident delayed Harris flight to Vietnam

CNN: https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/24/politics/kamala-harris-vietnam/index.html

 

[dann]

Considering the symptoms of 'Havana syndrome', it's astonishing that US embassies all over the world aren't in constant lockdown:

Victims of Havana syndrome have reported a varying set of symptoms and physical sensations, including sudden vertigo, nausea, headaches and head pressure, sometimes accompanied by a "piercing directional noise."
(...)
Two defense officials said in May that the Pentagon was drafting a memo to the entire US military and civilian workforce asking personnel to report any so-called anomalous health symptoms that might indicate they have been victims of Havana syndrome.
Possible Havana syndrome incident delayed Harris flight to Vietnam (CNN, Aug. 24, 2021)

 

[TurkeysGhost]

Considering the symptoms of 'Havana syndrome', it's astonishing that US embassies all over the world aren't in constant lockdown:

I often have Havana Syndrome after overindulging in alcohol.

 

[dann]

No, that's Havana Club syndrome.

 

[Gord_in_Toronto]

A high-ranking Canadian diplomat in Cuba was flown home for assessment earlier this year after experiencing neurological symptoms consistent with Havana syndrome. The man, who the lawyer described as “high-ranking,” had only been posted in Cuba for a short time before the incident in February.

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/loca...at-reports-havana-syndrome-attack-lawyer-says

Summary: He was tested and found OK before he went. The Government told him there were no problems in Havana with Havana syndrome but when he got there all his colleges were talking about it. He did more research and then one day he got it too. When tested on return to Canada it was determined he had some sort of problem. A physiotherapist diagnosed him as having a "percussive force injury such as a targeted energy device that had likely hit the diplomat behind the right ear".

I'm trying to find out where in their training physiotherapists learn about targeted energy devices.

And remain somewhat suspicious about the potential physics and mechanisms for causes of the reported effects.

The official Government testing is not complete. "But, in the end, they were unable to make a determination about whether it was a case of Havana syndrome. They obtained some more information, and the diplomat is still waiting for an answer." Me too.

 

[dann]

I'm trying to find out where in their training physiotherapists learn about targeted energy devices.

In the meantime, he sought out a physiotherapist who treated what he diagnosed as a percussive force such as a targeted energy device that had likely hit the diplomat behind the right ear.

In the meantime =

He again underwent testing. He was unable to complete a balance test without tipping over and doctors saw inconsistency in his brain waves. But, in the end, they were unable to make a determination about whether it was a case of Havana syndrome. They obtained some more information, and the diplomat is still waiting for an answer.

There is still the question of how he managed to find the one Canadian physiotherapist (I assume) who diagnoses and treats damage caused by "a percussive force such as a targeted energy device." I can't imagine that there is a big demand for that kind of physiotherapy, but I think this guy may have been instrumental in helping him find that particular therapist:

Lawyer Paul Miller, who represents the diplomats and families suing the government for $28 million, says the latest case mirrors those experienced earlier by Canadian and U.S. diplomats in Cuba who were diagnosed with Havana syndrome.
“There is no other explanation for it, considering he can identify the time and date of the attack and the symptoms are the same as every other case.”

So he wrote down the time and date? Well, that settles it for me! There can be not other explanation: Putin did it!

 

[dann]

Havana Syndrome Mapped
About 130 cases reported worldwide including 50 CIA personnel.
Cuba Germany China Russia Austria USA Poland Georgia Taiwan Australia Colombia Kyrgyzstan Uzbekistan
Havana syndrome MAPPED: Bizarre illness with Russian links causing havoc for US diplomats (Express, Aug. 25, 2021)

The cases in Vietnam are probably too recent to have been included, but it is weird that a UK newspaper does not mention the cases in London.

 

[Planigale]

IT'S BACK!

US officials in Berlin struck by ‘Havana syndrome’ symptoms
-- Guy Chazan in Berlin, August 19 2021

https://www.ft.com/content/7a289217-89fe-414c-936b-7b0fa859926d

You'd think (TM), that with all the resources at the command of the US Government, it could afford to buy a Spectrum Analyzer or two. You can buy the basic components on the 'net and put one together for under $200. Ones that reach into the higher radar frequencies will set you back a bit more but I see one that goes to 22GHz for $2500.

Given all the cold War type speculation and paranoia, I would hope that very US embassy, consulate and outhouse was equipped with one by now.

The fact that no one has reported finding errant radio waves, my supposition is that there aren't any. Is the CIA sure those goats did not die? Maybe they were not stared at long enough?

I already pointed out that these symptoms are typically caused by telepathic mind probes. All this about microwaves is communist misdirection, pure science fiction. What they need to do is review the post mortem findings on those goats.

 

[Andy_Ross]

A physiotherapist diagnosed him as having a "percussive force injury such as a targeted energy device that had likely hit the diplomat behind the right ear". ]

A cosh?

 

[dann]

Too primitive. Leaves tell-tale scars. I think they need to look into this:
Quantum sensors probe uncharted territories, from Earth’s crust to the human brain (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, Aug. 20, 2019)

 

[dann]

I bet this will help spread the 'syndrome':

Hundreds of American officials are believed to be suffering serious health issues from unidentified health incidents (UHI) occurring at U.S. posts across the globe — occurrences many posit to be attacks on American personnel.
(...)
“And that now raises the questions of if it was serious enough to protect the vice president, what about everyone else who's serving in these locations?” he added.
(...)
“We’re all aware of that [but] you have to give people information even if it’s ‘We’re working on this’ because the anxiety is so high,” one of the sources said.
“These people are on the edge, they’re fragile,” the source added.
Zaid said the lack of transparency has served as a roadblock to representing his clients — some are even unable to tell him where the incident took place.
Harris's delayed trip to Vietnam ratchets up Havana Syndrome fears (The Hill, Aug. 28, 2021)

And there are so many more potential victims than just diplomats and CIA agents:

And another bill approved by the Senate in June and awaiting a vote in the House would allow financial support to injured State and CIA employees.
But Zaid said the legislation has serious gaps, excluding those who work for agencies beyond the CIA and State as well as others.
“They don't take into account past cases. They’re not taking into account family members who were impacted as much as the federal employees and were in the foreign countries because of their spouses who work for the federal government. They're not taking into account in some cases interns who worked for the federal government but weren't considered full federal employees but were there for the U.S. government. They're not taking into account retirees, including from Cuba,” he said.
The legislation also leaves it to each department to determine who should qualify for assistance, something Zaid said will lead to “completely arbitrary and capricious determinations.”

I see no reason why the 'Havana Syndrome' shouldn't be able to mutate and become more contagious than the Delta variant in a month or two. They already share many of the same symptoms:

Documented injuries include short- and long-term symptoms of brain fog and headaches, vertigo, insomnia, and other cognitive and physical issues that have, for some, hastened retirement from government.

It is a disgrace that the Havana-syndrome long haulers have been ignored for so many years ...

 

[Dabop]

And yet- the 'darstardly commies' despite having this 'superweapon' not only refuse to use it on other countries (many of who are more 'active' in anti Russian activities)- but even after it has been 'discovered' by their 'enemies' continue to use it on the US personel - and only the US personel...Noone else...
Amazing!!!
Almost as if it was an entirely made up 'story' by a single country- with known literal hatred of the accused countries- going back tens of decades.......
Funny that...
Add the entire lack of actual- you know- evidence that such a thing even exists (when you can readily buy the equipment needed for less than the price of a second hand 'clunker' off ebay!!!)- and this is well into 'flat earth' and 'we never went to the moon' land...
Scrub that- this BS makes moon hoaxers look positively sane....

 

[dann]

And yet- the 'darstardly commies' despite having this 'superweapon' not only refuse to use it on other countries (many of who are more 'active' in anti Russian activities)- but even after it has been 'discovered' by their 'enemies' continue to use it on the US personnel - and only the US personnel...No one else...

Don't forget the Canadians, who, for some reason, are still 'attacked' exclusively in Cuba and not all over the world, which is kind of appropriate for something called the Havana syndrome.