A view of the US Embassy beside the Anti-Imperialist stage in Havana, Cuba, May 24, 2023. File Image/Reuters
Explainers
F
Firstpost14-01-2026, 13:09

Havana Syndrome: Pentagon Device Sparks New Scrutiny, Russian Links Emerge

  • Havana Syndrome is back in the spotlight after revelations that the US Department of Defense (DoD) has been testing a mysterious device believed to be capable of triggering the condition.
  • The DoD funded Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) to acquire the device through an undercover operation for "eight figures" (tens of millions of dollars) during the Biden administration.
  • The device, under evaluation for over a year, emits pulsed radio waves, contains Russian components, and is compact enough to be carried in a backpack, raising concerns about its potential use.
  • Havana Syndrome, first reported in 2016 by US diplomats in Cuba, involves symptoms like dizziness, headaches, and memory issues, with over 1,500 suspected cases across 96 nations.
  • While US intelligence agencies previously deemed a worldwide foreign campaign unlikely, victims and some officials believe the new device warrants further investigation into hostile action.

Why It Matters: A secret Pentagon device emitting pulsed radio waves has reignited Havana Syndrome concerns, hinting at potential foreign involvement.

More like this

Loading more articles...