The Pentagon reportedly shifted its "Havana Syndrome" investigative team away from the policy office in an effort to "strengthen scientific governance," "enhance technical rigor," and ensure "long-term stability" for research and interagency coordination, according to the Washington Examiner.
Two Department of War memorandums show Secretary Pete Hegseth has relocated the Anomalous Health Incidents Cross Functional Team (CFT) from the Office of the Undersecretary of War for Policy to the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering, the Examiner reported Wednesday.
The development follows the media outlet's reporting from Dec. 11 that the Pentagon was preparing to make the change and that victims and officials feared it would reduce the team's resources and independence.
Havana Syndrome, officially referred to as Anomalous Health Incidents (AHIs), first drew attention in 2016 after U.S. diplomats and CIA officers in Havana, Cuba, reported unexplained neurological symptoms.
Hundreds of additional cases have since been reported worldwide by American diplomats, intelligence officers, and military personnel.
The Examiner noted that reported symptoms have included dizziness, auditory disruption, traumatic brain injury, and loss of gait. Some victims have suffered serious disabilities and premature death.
The memos, written by Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Critical Technologies Peter Highnam, said the move is intended to "strengthen scientific governance," "enhance technical rigor," and ensure "long-term stability" for research and interagency coordination.
But multiple sources told the Examiner they fear the shift will deprioritize victim care and slow investigative progress, particularly work suggesting some AHIs may be caused by novel pulsed microwave weapons tied to Russian intelligence services.
CBS News reported last week that Sens. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., and Susan Collins, R-Maine, wrote to Hegseth warning the reorganization could undermine support for victims and stall research into attribution and technology.
According to the Examiner, the relocated CFT will now fall under Undersecretary Emil Michael, with Highnam overseeing day-to-day leadership.
Highnam has reportedly appointed himself as the team's new director, despite lacking direct experience with the issue and already managing multiple major priorities, including artificial intelligence, hypersonics, quantum systems, and directed energy.
Sources told the Examiner they worry the AHI mission could be pushed aside among those competing responsibilities.
Two sources also alleged Highnam referred to AHI victims as "damaged," further inflaming concern among affected personnel.
One former CIA officer identified as "Adam," who said he experienced AHI symptoms during a Havana tour, told the Examiner the move could “delay the issue by years” due to distrust and fractured interagency relationships.
The controversy comes as lawmakers continue pressing for transparency.
House Intelligence Committee Chair Rick Crawford, R-Ark., on Jan. 25 called for recalling the 2023 Intelligence Community Assessment that said it was "very unlikely" a foreign adversary was responsible — arguing the document harmed victims and downplayed credible evidence.
While the Pentagon has not publicly announced the reorganization, critics say the decision risks looking like a bureaucratic retreat at a moment when victims and their families are still demanding answers — and when the U.S. government is increasingly confronting foreign threats using emerging directed-energy technologies.
Charlie McCarthy ✉
Charlie McCarthy, a writer/editor at Newsmax, has nearly 40 years of experience covering news, sports, and politics.
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