What Happened: A preliminary CIA assessment reportedly stated that the vast majority of "anomalous health incidents" reported by U.S. diplomats and attributed to Havana Syndrome are not caused by a hostile foreign power, but the report cannot determine the cause of about two-dozen cases, NBC News reported Jan. 20.

Why It Matters: Widespread speculation that these incidents — which have been reported among U.S. embassies, consulates, intelligence agents and high-profile delegations — were facilitated by Russia or another malicious state actor has led to talk of sanctions among high-level U.S. officials. For example, House Foreign Affairs Committee ranking member Michael McCaul introduced legislation in October 2021 that would require the U.S. president to "sanction foreign persons and governments for carrying out clandestine attacks on U.S. personnel that have caused brain injury."

Background: This CIA assessment was conducted independently from other U.S. government agencies, so future assessments made by other agencies could attempt to link more cases of Havana Syndrome to the roughly two-dozen unexplained cases the CIA has identified. The condition, first identified in Cuba’s capital in 2016, has a variety of purported symptoms, including headaches, vision problems, dizziness and even brain injuries.