This prompts the administration of President Joe Biden to conduct more aggressive investigations as a series of spies, diplomats, and soldiers experience brain-related illnesses.
Beginning five years ago, over 130 spies, diplomats, military personnel, and U.S. staff working abroad have encountered mysterious brain-related incidents, the New York Times reported on May 13.
These brain injuries have become a significant concern during President Biden’s administration. Many new cases exhibiting similar phenomena have been identified in Europe and several locations in Asia. The Biden administration is compelled to scrutinize these incidents more closely.
Ongoing Mysterious Incidents
The first case that attracted U.S. attention occurred in 2016 when employees of the State Department and the Central Intelligence Agency (C.I.A) in Havana, Cuba fell ill with symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, and headaches. Similar cases began to emerge in 2017 in Guangzhou, China.
One of the most notable incidents occurred in 2019, as reported by the New York Times, where a military officer serving abroad experienced nausea and headaches while driving to an intersection, as his two-year-old son began to cry. After attempting to exit the street, his nausea ceased, and the child also stopped crying.
Both subsequently received medical care from the government, although it remains unclear whether they will suffer long-term effects. Officials under both President Trump and President Biden suspect that this officer was targeted beforehand, further compelling them to expand the investigation.
Some Pentagon officials suspect the involvement of the GRU—Russia’s military intelligence agency—in this incident and several others, yet no official conclusions have been drawn regarding the matter.
Moscow has repeatedly denied any involvement in the incidents affecting U.S. personnel.
The U.S. Embassy in Havana. The mysterious symptoms first occurred among diplomats in Cuba and China in 2016. (Photo: New York Times).
Not stopping there, since December 2020, at least three C.I.A officers working abroad have reported unstable health conditions. A recent incident from two weeks ago required all officers to undergo outpatient treatment at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and several other facilities.
U.S. officials have yet to determine who or what caused this latest incident, or whether it might be evidence of attacks.
Amanda J. Schoch, spokesperson for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, stated: “Currently, we do not have accurate information on the cause of the incident, and it is still too early to speculate anything.”
Initial Clues
The Biden administration is trying to balance showing officials that President Biden is taking the issue seriously while also maintaining calm within the government and the public.
The C.I.A. has formed a response team to investigate the incidents. The White House is also thoroughly examining reports related to the incidents abroad and seeking ways to improve medical care for the victims.
According to an interview by the New York Times with 20 current or retired officials who have encountered this issue, some reported experiencing chronic headaches, indicating the possibility of permanent brain damage.
Additionally, according to the U.S. National Security Council, several others have experienced “sensation-related phenomena” involving sound and temperature, followed by a range of physical issues such as sudden dizziness, nausea, and headaches or neck pain. Some victims even expressed suicidal thoughts, according to doctors at Walter Reed.
In a report published in December 2020, the National Academy of Sciences suggested that the perpetrators likely used a type of microwave sensory weapon—which can cause extreme pain to victims.
Mark Lenzi, a former U.S. State Department employee in Guangzhou, China, experienced a mysterious illness similar to that of dozens of diplomats and spies at the U.S. Embassy in Havana. (Photo: New York Times).
Deadlock
However, all efforts from both sides have not been sufficient to uncover the cause.
In November 2020, Matthew Pottinger—Deputy National Security Advisor at the White House—called for the U.S. intelligence network to cooperate more with the Pentagon and other agencies to advance and expand the investigation.
During a closed meeting of the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence last April, senators accused the C.I.A. of “doing too little” to investigate the mysterious circumstances and expressed skepticism regarding the agency’s hypotheses.
William J. Burns—the new director of the C.I.A.—is attempting to change this perception among congressional members. Burns actively meets with victims and their treating physicians monthly, continuously reporting the situation to Congress while also doubling the number of medical personnel treating those affected.
Mr. Lenzi using a Brock string for vision therapy at his home in Durham, New Hampshire. (Photo: New York Times).
“I don’t believe the government is acting quickly enough (to investigate and prevent the incidents),” quoted Ruben Gallego, a Democratic member, saying. “We need to fully understand where this is coming from, why the victims are being targeted, and what the U.S. can do to prevent this.”
