Pentagon Tests Device Potentially Linked to Havana Syndrome

The Pentagon has been testing a device believed to be connected to the mysterious condition known as Havana Syndrome, which has affected U.S. diplomats, spies, and military personnel since 2016. This device, purchased covertly by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) during the final days of the Biden administration, reportedly emits pulsed radio waves and contains Russian components, although it is not entirely of Russian origin. The acquisition, funded by the Defense Department, cost "eight figures" and has reignited debates about the nature and cause of Havana Syndrome, officially termed anomalous health incidents (AHIs).

InquisitrNewsweekCNNWhat is Havana Syndrome? Pentagon tests covert device suspected in mystery ailments affecting US spies and troopsDaily MailThe Hill

Havana Syndrome first emerged in late 2016 when U.S. diplomats stationed in Havana, Cuba, reported a range of symptoms including severe headaches, dizziness, cognitive impairment, and memory loss. Over the years, similar cases have been documented globally, affecting personnel in various countries. Despite extensive investigations, the U.S. intelligence community has struggled to determine whether these incidents result from a directed energy attack by a foreign adversary, with many officials asserting that there is insufficient evidence to support this theory.

Report Claims US Military Holds Havana Syndrome Weapon

The device is currently undergoing testing, and while some officials believe it may replicate symptoms associated with Havana Syndrome, skepticism remains within parts of the government regarding its direct link to the condition. A January 2025 intelligence report indicated that most agencies still consider it "very unlikely" that a foreign adversary is responsible for the symptoms, although one agency suggested a "roughly even chance" that a foreign actor may have used a novel weapon to induce these health issues.

Newsweek

Victims of Havana Syndrome have expressed frustration over the government's handling of their cases, feeling dismissed and ignored. Marc Polymeropoulos, a former CIA officer who reported symptoms after an incident in Moscow, stated, "If the U.S. government has indeed uncovered such devices, then the CIA owes all the victims a f***ing major and public apology for how we have been treated as pariahs." This sentiment reflects a broader discontent among those affected, who believe that evidence of foreign involvement has been downplayed to avoid diplomatic fallout, particularly with Russia.

Daily Mail

Ned Price, a State Department spokesperson during the Biden administration, acknowledged a "major effort" to investigate Havana Syndrome, involving multiple government agencies. The Pentagon and HSI have not publicly commented on the specifics of the device or its testing, maintaining a level of secrecy consistent with HSI's investigative role.

Newsweek

As testing of the device continues, the implications for U.S. national security remain significant. Concerns have been raised about the potential proliferation of such technology, which could be accessible to multiple states or non-state actors. The ongoing investigation aims to clarify the nature of these health incidents and prepare for emerging threats that may not leave traditional evidence of an attack.

What is Havana Syndrome? Pentagon tests covert device suspected in mystery ailments affecting US spies and troops

• “If the [US government] has indeed uncovered such devices, then the CIA owes all the victims a f**king major and public apology for how we have been treated as pariahs,” — Marc Polymeropoulos, Former CIA Officer

CNN

The testing of this device marks a critical juncture in understanding Havana Syndrome, as the U.S. government continues to grapple with the implications of these unexplained health incidents.

The Hill