Moscow Syndrome? Sonic attacks focus turns to Russia

It turns out Russia, not Cuba, may be responsible for the mysterious injuries sustained by scores of American personnel and intelligence workers while serving on the island, abroad or at home, at least according to a recently aired “60 Minutes” report.

Maybe Moscow Syndrome, not Havana Syndrome, is a more fitting name for the untraceable sonic attacks on U.S. citizens and intelligence officials.

A five-year investigation by CBS News, “60 Minutes” and other media outlets offered evidence pointing to a secretive Russian military intelligence unit, referred to as the 29155, as being responsible. The former head of the Pentagon’s investigation told the show that he believes Russia was behind the attacks.

HAVANA SYNDROME

Many of the attacks involved diplomats working in Havana starting in 2016, thus the Havana Syndrome moniker. However, there have also been similar attacks in countries like Germany and Lithuania since 2014.

If the report is correct, does this absolve the Cuban government of taking part in what may be a new type of warfare?

Not exactly. Cuba and Russia are long-time allies in opposing U.S. influence. More investigation is still needed into what role, if any, Cuba played.

MASS HYSTERIA?

Cuba has denied involvement. Cuban diplomats and scientists have insisted that injuries are psychosomatic, a case of mass hysteria, or can be explained by pre-existing conditions.

Baloney.

The U.S. handling of the matter has been troubling at times. Back in March 2023, a U.S. intelligence report concluded that those who complained of headaches, nausea, migraines and head pressure were “unlikely victims” of covert attacks by a foreign adversary.

US INTELLIGENCE

Now the man who led the probe says he believes the “U.S. is under attack” from Russia. He also revealed that many of those impacted by the attacks were U.S. intelligence personnel working on cases related to Russia.

At a White House briefing on Monday, reporters were told that the U.S. “is standing by the assessment” from the U.S. intelligence agencies.

Earlier this year, the Miami Herald reported that under the Havana

Act of 2021, the CIA made one-time payments of $187,300 in 2022 or $195,00 in 2023 to officers injured in Havana, Moscow, Vienna and other places “who demonstrated... brain injury.”

ATTACKS IN HOMES

The U.S. isn’t saying Russia is to blame but, no matter who’s behind these incidents, it’s time to pay more attention to this type of attack. Havana Syndrome is particularly egregious because it moves the battleground into people’s homes and offices.

For years, U.S. intelligence struggled to determine who or what was causing Havana Syndrome. The symptoms suffered were strange and varied, making the attacks challenging to diagnose. Was it a sonic weapon? Microwaves?

RUSSIAN MILITARY

Without a clear picture of the means and methods, identifying culprit was impossible.

Now, the “60 Minutes” investigation has turned up evidence pointing toward a specific Russian military intelligence unit.

The U.S. must not disregard such attacks.

Memorial service for Nancy Ancrum: On

Saturday, the MiamiDade community will celebrate the life and legacy of Nancy Ancrum, former editorial page editor at the Miami Herald. Nancy passed away Feb. 9 after retirement from a storied 40-year career at the Herald.

Ancrum retired on Dec. 31 from what she said was “the best job I ever had.” She’d led the Herald’s editorial board — the community voice of the newspaper — for 10 years. It was the capstone of a newspaper career that started in her early 20s.

At an upbeat retirement party with her colleagues in mid-January, she spoke about remaining “an engaged citizen” in the community she had championed since arriving from Washington after starting her career with the Baltimore Evening Sun and USA Today.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on April 13 at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. The memorial is open to the public.