The United States appears to have been struggling with numerous mysterious threats over the last decade. They are also increasing as the US faces new cyberattacks. Among the recent mysterious incidents the US continues to learn about are incidences of “unidentified aerial phenomena” (UAPs) and a mysterious illness among US officials called “Havana Syndrome.”
Let’s start with the UAPs – previously referred to as “unidentified flying objects” (UFOs) – associated with extraterrestrial aliens in science fiction writings and films. America is likely not under attack by such aliens, but American military pilots have reported 144 sightings of UAPs.“These objects show physics we don’t understand,” say reports. In the old days, these reports were the realm of conspiracy theorists or considered fake. However, when it comes to the military and pilots, they are ostensibly the least likely to report false information. Pilots are in the air often and when they see something they don’t understand, it’s because it is rare and is a phenomenon that has not been seen before.
The US government report on this issue doesn’t provide much clarity. When these details began to be released in recent years, in videos and then culminating in the June 25 report, there were hopes that the government would put these claims to rest. If it’s not aliens, then is it some super-secret US program, or drones used by adversaries. The public doesn’t know – and the government may not either. There are the 144 cases reported between 2004 and 2021. A new report has also been described as difficult to explain, including aspects of the phenomena’s behavior, such as extreme acceleration. If the unclassified report is really everything the US government knows, then we are left with concerns that a threat could be emerging.
IF THE UFO threat appears unclear and far-fetched, the actual damage done by “Havana Syndrome” is more acute. Like the UFOs, Havana Syndrome has been around for years but has only recently come to light with more coverage as the Biden administration struggles to deal with the problem. “A recent US intelligence assessment generated by the Biden administration could not determine what caused the unexplained brain injuries suffered by diplomats, spies and other government workers at home and abroad, or why the victims were potentially targeted,” NBC noted.The incidents were first reported in 2016 in Cuba when the Obama administration was trying to change US policy around the island. However, the incidents led to concerns that electromagnetic energy or other devices used by adversaries were harming US diplomats. “The incidents caused hearing, balance and cognitive changes along with mild traumatic brain injury, also known as concussion, that physicians were able to confirm through advanced imaging.”
As with UFOs, there are slightly more than 100 incidents. 130 people have come forward, reports say. Up to 80 of those affected “are associated with the Department of Defense.” They may have been hit with directed microwave energy. Why? Were these attacks specifically targeting the individuals, including reports that members of the CIA were affected? US Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia tweeted in June that, “as the Intelligence Committee continues to push for more answers on these Havana Syndrome attacks, the Senate just unanimously approved a bill to ensure that our injured personnel receive the care and compensation they deserve.”
WHILE THE UFO and Havana Syndrome incidents remain mysterious, recent cyberattacks are not only more widespread, but likely have an address that is easier to determine. NPR noted on July 3 that a “ransomware attack paralyzed the networks of at least 200 US companies on Friday, according to a cybersecurity researcher whose company was responding to the incident.” The report accused a major “Russian-speaking ransomware syndicate” of being behind the attack. It is one of many recent attacks that have harmed a pipeline, a ferry service, food processing and other key industries, including water treatment.
The cyberattacks don’t only affect the US, as 500 Coop supermarkets had to close in Sweden due to an attack. Israel has also been targeted in the past. The assumption is that a combination of criminal elements and rival states may be working together regarding these attacks. Another explanation is that Western countries are simply easier targets – and the criminal elements, based in authoritarian regimes, take advantage of a policy that dovetails with their regime’s, namely a desire to disrupt the US and Western allies.
Taken together, these threats show that the US and other countries are being challenged by complex technologies. While the UFOs have so far not been a threat, or harmed any pilots that we know of, the Havana Syndrome and the cyberattacks are a serious threat. If the US and its partners can’t get to the bottom of these incidents, they might find themselves behind in a global technology race in which hi-tech is not only used for new apps but also for major threats.
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