Tulsi Gabbard hearing: What is the Havana Syndrome?

Donald Trump's pick for

Director of National Intelligence

Tulsi Gabbard said she looks forward to addressing the reported

Havana syndrome

case during her confirmation hearing.
Gabbard expressed serious concern about these incidents, stating that despite the ongoing impact on service personnel, the intelligence community had yet to determine the precise cause and origin of what is commonly referred to as Havana syndrome.
"I look forward, if confirmed as director of national intelligence, to addressing this, of course, making sure that those who have been impacted are getting the care that they need and deserve, but getting to the truth behind how and why this has occurred," she answered when asked about her approach by Senator Roger Wicker.
What is Havana Syndrome?

In 2016, diplomatic personnel and their family members stationed at the American Embassy in Havana, Cuba, began experiencing

unexplained health issues

including intense headaches, loss of balance, impaired vision, ringing in the ears, and spinning sensations. These symptoms typically occurred after experiencing loud sounds accompanied by severe discomfort in their ears and head.
These incidents weren't isolated to this group. Additional American citizens have reported comparable health issues.
"Havana Syndrome" received its name from media outlets due to the initial cluster of reported cases in Cuba. Subsequently, similar incidents have been documented across multiple nations—including Austria, China, Colombia, Georgia, Germany, India, Poland, Russia, Vietnam, and within the United States mainland.
Those affected primarily were federal staff working in intelligence operations and various government departments, along with their family members. Incidents occurred at their workplaces, homes, and during regular travel.
Although symptoms varied amongst individuals, some cases resulted in enduring problems affecting cognitive function, sensory processing, and equilibrium.
According to a 2022

CIA intelligence assessment

, the unexplained physiological symptoms experienced by diplomats were not attributed to a coordinated effort by any hostile nation.
A subsequent intelligence community evaluation revealed that two out of seven intelligence agencies now suggest the possibility that a foreign entity might have created or utilised a device responsible for these unexplained health incidents.