CIA and Pentagon Tested Mystery Device Linked to Havana Syndrome

The CIA and Pentagon have secretly examined a device in Norway that could potentially cause the mysterious symptoms known as Havana syndrome, according to a new Washington Post report. The revelation adds another layer to one of the most perplexing intelligence mysteries of the modern era.

The Norwegian Connection

US intelligence agencies conducted classified reviews of this undisclosed device, though the Post's reporting doesn't specify when these examinations took place or what exactly the device was designed to do. What we do know is that American officials were sufficiently concerned about its potential connection to Havana syndrome to warrant high-level intelligence scrutiny.

This development comes as over 1,000 US government personnel have reported symptoms consistent with Havana syndrome since the first cases emerged at the US embassy in Havana, Cuba, in 2016. The symptoms—including sudden onset headaches, nausea, hearing loss, and cognitive difficulties—have affected diplomats, intelligence officers, and their families across multiple continents.

A Pattern of Mysterious Incidents

The syndrome has struck US personnel in locations ranging from Cuba and China to Austria and Germany. Despite extensive investigations by multiple US agencies, the cause remains officially undetermined. Some victims describe hearing strange sounds or feeling pressure waves before symptoms begin, leading to speculation about directed energy weapons or sonic attacks.

The CIA's own assessment in 2022 concluded that most cases were likely caused by environmental factors, pre-existing conditions, or conventional illnesses rather than attacks by foreign adversaries. However, the agency acknowledged it couldn't rule out foreign involvement in a subset of cases, particularly those affecting personnel in high-priority locations.

Intelligence Agencies Divided

The Norwegian device review suggests US intelligence agencies are still actively investigating potential weapons that could cause these symptoms. This contradicts the narrative that the mystery has been largely solved or dismissed.

Pentagon officials have generally been more open to the possibility of foreign attacks than their CIA counterparts. Military personnel and defense contractors have reported some of the most severe and persistent symptoms, often in sensitive locations where they were conducting classified work.

Meanwhile, victims and their advocates have criticized both agencies for downplaying the severity of their conditions and failing to provide adequate medical care and compensation.