Those sonic attacks on U.S. officials in 2017 might've been microwaves
Remember the mysterious illness caused by suspected "sonic" attacks back in 2017 that afflicted some U.S. diplomats and spies in Cuba, China, Russia, and elsewhere? A report released Saturday, commissioned by the Department of State and authored by external experts, has landed on a likely culprit, and it is technologically terrifying.
Experts have identified “directed, pulsed radiofrequency energy" as the "most plausible" explanation for the constellation of symptoms experienced by diplomats and their families. This includes microwaves, which are electromagnetic waves within a certain spectrum (not the, uh, food heating machines).
Essentially, repeated short blasts of electromagnetic waves within a certain frequency assault the inner ear, which can have both acute and long term effects — without leaving signs of physical damage.
Common symptoms of the "dozens" affected involved hearing a loud sound, followed by the feeling of head vibrations, pressure, and pain. Sufferers had both short and long term dizziness, hearing loss, fatigue, memory loss, tinnitus, vertigo, and issues with balance. The onset of the symptoms occurred both at embassies and at some sufferers' homes. Some have reportedly been forced into permanent retirement.
The studies the experts referenced showed that radiofrequency energy needs to be both directional and "pulsed" (rather than continuous) to explain these diffuse symptoms. That's what leads them to describe it as most consistent with an "attack" of radiofrequency energy.
The experts warn that they are disturbed by the potential the report shows of “disinhibited malevolent actors and new tools for causing harm to others,” or bad people committing dangerous acts in new ways.
The report doesn't go into detail about the "new tools" of these "malevolent actors." However, there is a class of devices called "directed energy weapons" that may apply. The report references one apparatus used in a study, with a mouthful of a name straight out of a Cold War-era Bond movie: the "Transformer Energized Megavolt Pulsed Output (TEMPO) microwave pulse apparatus."
Many countries are developing these weapons. However, the New York Timesreports that some of the affected diplomats were focused on "countering Russia covert operations with foreign intelligence agencies." That, along with the fact that Russia is one of the more prolific sources of research and development in these weapons, leads to "suspicion," according to the Times, that Russia is behind the attack.
The report suggests that more proactive steps need to be taken to counter these attacks. However, the first place to start is actually taking victims seriously, and bothering to systematically record and investigate symptoms — something the Trump administration failed to do, which has enraged victims who are now suing the government.
Indeed, the Timesreports that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has had this report since August, but did not acknowledge it when asked about the illnesses in October. The State Department made the report public Saturday after news outlets acquired and reported on its existence earlier in the week.
The futuristic weapons likely involved in these attacks — whether sonic, microwave, or something else — are terrifying. More terrifying is a government that takes no action when faced with an attack on American citizens, because it is a difficult to understand phenomenon with potentially thorny political ramifications. In the future, let's hope the weapons — not the government's response – are our biggest problem.
TopicsPolitics
-
[Exclusive] Samsung unsure of Suga's future as brand ambassador: sourceVolvo's first allPolice say abandoned SD card labeled 'homicide' led to arrest of murder suspectGoogle's data center raises the stakes in this state's 'water wars'Alcaraz vs. Van de Zandschulp 2024 livestream: Watch US Open for freeWe'll have to wait longer for Apple's 'Carpool Karaoke'South Korea allows import of bottled water from North KoreaUS designates North Korea as state sponsor of terrorismTravel Back in Time and Uncover OldDefected North Korean solider in stable condition, clearly conscious
下一篇:Military prosecutors indict intel official over leaking 'black agent' info
- ·Footage of Kim Yo
- ·North Korea could fire ballistic missile within this year: spy agency
- ·North Korea taps communist party official as state security chief
- ·THAAD deployment decision should be left to next administration: Moon
- ·50 Years Later: The Revolutionary 8008 Microprocessor
- ·Instagram's new security feature makes it easier to block apps from your account
- ·Google unveils Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL after so, so many leaks
- ·石棉县拉开全国文明县城创建序幕
- ·How much for Oasis tickets? Fans joke about splurging on reunion shows
- ·North Korea taps communist party official as state security chief
- ·电动车限速限重引争议
- ·Google unveils new high
- ·Flying spaghetti monster and unworldly life filmed in deep sea footage
- ·Pence to visit Seoul from April 16
- ·Trial of Samsung heir apparent begins
- ·Google unveils new high
- ·Revolutionary grid
- ·Uber Money will give the company an even tighter grip on its drivers' finances
- ·North Korea taps communist party official as state security chief
- ·Twitter quietly killed its secret ad
- ·采购商+48,英德红茶在泉城济南蹭蹭涨粉
- ·Kendrick Lamar is taking his new album 'DAMN.' on the road
- ·Google takes on AirPods with sleek new Pixel Buds
- ·Instagram's new security feature makes it easier to block apps from your account
- ·护航孩子成长 解决职工后顾之忧
- ·US designates North Korea as state sponsor of terrorism
- ·SpaceX Polaris Dawn mission: How to watch the launch
- ·电动车限速限重引争议
- ·North Korea likely to harden stance toward China, US
- ·美丽的背后 累并痛着
- ·Military prosecutors indict intel official over leaking 'black agent' info
- ·芦山县民警冒雨完成交通事故勘查比武大赛
- ·Newcastle secure Champions League football
- ·Sewol recovery leaves unique trail for Chinese veteran diver
- ·提前谋划部署准备秋季开学
- ·Volvo's first all