A new investigation by CBS News’ ‘60 Minutes’ suggests a directed-energy weapon may be linked to some cases of Havana syndrome, the mysterious illness reported by US diplomats, intelligence officials, and military personnel since 2016.
According to the report, the US government obtained a small microwave-based device from a Russian criminal network and has been testing it in a military laboratory for more than a year. Sources told the program that experiments on animals produced brain injuries similar to those reported by some victims. For context, victims have described sudden neurological symptoms including headaches, vertigo, hearing loss, and cognitive impairment. Many of those affected, despite having never met, reported strikingly similar symptoms.
Dr. David Relman, a Stanford University professor who led government investigations into the incidents, said radiofrequency or microwave energy remains the most plausible explanation for a subset of cases. Still, officials say the cause of Havana syndrome remains unresolved.
Indeed, the mystery surrounding Havana syndrome continues to spark debate among scientists, intelligence officials, and policymakers. Click through the following gallery to learn more about the strange illness and the theories behind it.