UPDATE: Russia Prime Suspect in Diplomats' Bizarre Illnesses: How Should the U.S. React?
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UPDATE - September 11, 2018: Intelligence officials believe Russia is behind mysterious sonic attacks that have affected U.S. diplomatic personnel in China and Cuba, according to NBC News:
"Although the U.S. believes sophisticated microwaves or another type of electromagnetic weapon were likely used on the U.S. government workers, they are also exploring the possibility that one or more additional technologies were also used, possibly in conjunction with microwaves, officials and others involved in the government's investigation say."
The evidence is not yet sufficiently conclusive for the U.S. to blame Russia formally.
Some of the scientists who are studying the diplomats' experience believe they were targeted by “neuroweapons” in what they call the Havana Effect.
In testimony before Congress last week, State Department officials were unanimous that the incidents should be considered "attacks."
UPDATE - July 2, 2018: The U.S. has medically evacuated at least nine more personnel connected with its consulate in Guangzhou, China, in possible connection to sustained reports from diplomats in both China and Cuba of strange sounds, the Wall Street Journal reports.
More than 250 people connected to the U.S. diplomatic mission in China have received medical examinations since complaints of the mysterious sounds began.
Only one embassy worker in China has been confirmed to have sustained mild brain trauma consistent with the symptoms and clinical markers seen in U.S. diplomats in Cuba. It is not clear if the other reported cases are also related to the ongoing reports of abnormal auditory sensations.
The Wall Street Journal notes:
“The mystery-illness complaints come at a sensitive time in U.S.-China relations, as Beijing and Washington skirmish over trade issues and seek to contain North Korea’s nuclear ambitions.”
Read Countable's original story below.
The story
- The U.S. embassy in Beijing issued a second warning today urging Americans with “unexplained physical symptoms” to seek medical attention.
- The symptoms in the warning—including “dizziness, headaches, tinnitus, fatigue, cognitive issues, visual problems, ear complaints and hearing loss, and difficulty sleeping”—are consistent with mysterious sonic events that have affected U.S. embassy staffers in China and Cuba.
- Employees and family members at the American consulate in Guangzhou have been evacuated, although it is not clear how many. U.S. medical authorities are evaluating whether additional evacuations are necessary.
Sonic attack?
- The affected personnel have reported symptoms that are similar to those “following concussion or minor traumatic brain injury," according to the U.S. State Department.
- The Chinese government has said it would help the United States identify the source, and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has formed a task force to investigate.
Diplomatic tensions?
- While the United States certainly has a rocky relationship with both Cuba and China, the source of these attacks remains a matter of speculation. Vox offers four possible sources: a sonic weapon, a sonic listening device, a toxin, and mass hysteria.
- Whatever the case may be, something is happening to America’s diplomats overseas, and there is speculation that someone is waging a shadow war against American interests abroad.
What do you think?
How should the government respond to suspicions that Russia is behind these attacks? Hit Take Action, then share your thoughts below.
—Sara E. Murphy
(Photo Credit: UNC - CFC - USFK)
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