In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the mysterious illness known as Havana Syndrome affecting U.S. diplomats around the world.
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Over 200 members of the U.S. Foreign Service and intelligence community have reported strange symptoms, including headaches, nausea, and memory loss, that many believe have been caused by a deliberate attack. The symptoms were first reported in 2016 by American diplomats in Cuba, leading to it being named Havana Syndrome, but since then they have been reported throughout the world. A recent report concluded that most of these cases could be attributed to undiagnosed illnesses or other benign causes, but they did not rule out that some cases could have been caused by an “external energy source.” We mentioned a 2018 New Yorker investigation of the syndrome, and discussed the history of the Soviet Union using microwaves against American diplomats.
In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:
Natalia discussed her recent piece for Global Sports Matter, “Building a Better Movement Culture Will Require Inclusion and Creativity.” Neil commented on the life and legacy of Dr. Paul Farmer and shared Tracy Kidder’s New York Times remembrance, “He Wanted to Make the Whole World His Patient.” Niki shared the Jefferson Scholars Foundation’s webinar, “Crisis in Ukraine: The Origins of the Next War in Europe.”