{"id":2568630,"date":"2026-02-11T08:10:01","date_gmt":"2026-02-11T13:10:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/pentagon-relocates-havana-syndrome-team-raising-victims-concerns\/"},"modified":"2026-02-11T08:14:11","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T13:14:11","slug":"pentagon-relocates-havana-syndrome-team-raising-victims-concerns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/pentagon-relocates-havana-syndrome-team-raising-victims-concerns\/","title":{"rendered":"Pentagon relocates Havana Syndrome team, raising victims&#8217; concerns"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fpentagon-relocates-havana-syndrome-team-raising-victims-concerns%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2568630&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The Pentagon has moved the Havana Syndrome Cross functional Team from the Office of the Undersecretary of War for Policy to the Office of the Undersecretary of War for Research and Engineering, with Peter Highnam taking a leading role and Emil Michael as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fed-found-economy-is-recovering-much-faster-than-officials-expected\/\" title=\"Fed Found Economy Is Recovering Much Faster Than Officials Expected\">top official<\/a>. The shift,ordered by Pete Hegseth,is intended to strengthen scientific governance and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/nascar-teams-call-revenue-model-broken\/\" title=\"NASCAR Teams Call Revenue Model &quot;Broken&quot;\">long-term stability<\/a> for the AHI program,but it has alarmed victims and some lawmakers who fear it will weaken support for victims,reduce analytical independence,and undermine evidence pointing to Russian-related causes,including novel pulsed microwave weapons.Highnam has described the change as a move to align the CFT with other priority technologies and to improve technical capacity, but critics worry the team\u2019s focus on AHI could be deprioritized and that his remarks about victims as \u201cdamaged\u201d undermine trust. The Washington Examiner notes that the move follows prior reporting of a potential reorganization, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/listen-to-black-americans-trash-talk-kamala-harris\/\" title=\"Listen to black Americans criticize Kamala Harris\">critics cite concerns<\/a> that interagency tensions and new leadership could delay progress for victims; Pentagon officials have declined to comment on the reorganization.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Pentagon relocates Havana Syndrome team, raising victim concerns<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p><strong>EXCLUSIVE<\/strong> <strong>&mdash;<\/strong> Two <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/department-of-war\">Department of War<\/a> memorandums seen by the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> show that Secretary of War <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/pete-hegseth\/\">Pete Hegseth<\/a> has relocated a &ldquo;Cross Functional Team&rdquo; managing the so-called &ldquo;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/havana-syndrome\">Havana Syndrome<\/a>&rdquo; or &ldquo;Anomalous Health Incidents&rdquo; concern. The CFT has been moved from the powerful office of the Undersecretary of War for Policy to the Office of the Undersecretary of War for Research and Engineering. The development follows <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/defense\/3908281\/war-department-moves-to-weaken-havana-syndrome-team\/\">reporting by the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em><\/a>  last December that the War Department was preparing to make just this move.<\/p>\n<p>Numerous sources continue to tell the <em>Washington Examiner <\/em>that they fear this move will weaken the CFT&rsquo;s support for victims, its analytical independence, and undermine evidence-based efforts that indicate some AHIs are consequences of Russian intelligence service activity. Specifically, the employment of novel pulsed microwave weapons. CBS News <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/news\/senators-jeanne-shaheen-susan-collins-pentagon-havana-syndrome-research\/\">reported<\/a> last week that Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) wrote to Hegseth, warning that this move would damage efforts to support AHI victims.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/daily-on-defense\/4453723\/netanyahu-expected-to-press-trump-to-demand-more-from-iran\/\">Israel&#8217;s Netanyahu expected to press Trump to demand more from Iran in Oval Office meeting<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/defense\/4453263\/nato-reshuffles-top-leadership-spots-us-retains-top-military-post\/\">NATO reshuffles top leadership spots but US retains top military post<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4452540\/trump-nato-russia-china-vladimir-putin-attacks\/\">Trump&rsquo;s views on NATO could spark Russian opportunities in Europe<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>As the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/defense\/3908281\/war-department-moves-to-weaken-havana-syndrome-team\/\">noted <\/a>last year, &ldquo;Hundreds of subsequent [AHI] incidents have been reported globally by American diplomats, intelligence officers, and military personnel. AHI symptoms include dizziness, auditory disruption, traumatic brain injury, and loss of gait. Some victims have suffered serious disabilities and&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/opinion\/2611933\/us-intelligence-grapples-with-nervous-system-attacks-amid-heavy-russia-suspicions\/\">premature death<\/a>. There is even&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/opinion\/2362168\/was-george-w-bush-a-2007-victim-of-russia-induced-havana-syndrome\/\">circumstantial evidence<\/a>&nbsp;that former President George W. Bush may have been a victim.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<div class=\"tpd-featured-video featured-post-video in-content bridtv\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2500308\" class=\"brid\" style=\"width:1280;height:720;\"> <\/div>\n<div class=\"tpd-featured-video-placeholder\" style=\"position:relative;overflow:hidden;width:100%;padding-top:56.25%;background-color:#000;\">\n<div style=\"position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;width:100%;height:100%\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Following Hegseth&rsquo;s sign-off on this relocation, the CFT will now fall under the leadership of Undersecretary Emil Michael and the day-to-day leadership of Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Critical Technologies Peter Highnam. While Highnam has appointed himself as the CFT&rsquo;s new director, he does not have direct experience on this problem and is already managing other high priority research areas. Alongside his &ldquo;scaled directed energy&rdquo; focus, Highnam&rsquo;s office is <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cto.mil\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/CTA-One-Pager-Option-Nov2025.pdf\">focused on<\/a> applied artificial intelligence, hypersonics, quantum and battlefield information dominance, contested logistics, and biomanufacturing. Multiple sources fear the CFT will be deprioritized among these other concerns. Two sources added that Highnam has referred to AHI victims as &ldquo;damaged.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>In one memo seen by the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>, Highnam states that &ldquo;Effective immediately, the Anomalous Health Incidents Cross Functional Team will transition to the Office of the Undersecretary of War for Research and Engineering as part of a strategic effort to strengthen scientific governance, enhance technical rigor, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/the-federal-reserve-eases-up-on-interest-rate-hikes-as-inflation-slowly-cools\/\" title=\"Fed eases rate hikes as inflation cools.\">ensure long-term stability<\/a> of research and interagency coordination supporting the AHI mission.&rdquo; <\/p>\n<p>Another memo from Highnam states that the move will ensure the &ldquo;CFT is aligned with a structure that can provide sustained governance, deeper technical capacity, and enduring support for <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >cross-functional execution &#038;hellip<\/a>; This action reflects the department&rsquo;s commitment to advancing the AHI mission with precision, rigor, and alignment to national security priorities. Continued success depends on maintaining momentum, strengthening integration, and sustaining the trust of the cohort along with the operational and research communities we support.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Highnam&rsquo;s focus on &ldquo;technical rigor&rdquo; and &ldquo;technical capacity&rdquo; suggests a priority focus on weaponizing the technologies responsible for AHI effects. As CNN <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2026\/01\/13\/politics\/havana-syndrome-device-pentagon-hsi\">first reported<\/a>, the U.S. is now in possession of a device believed to form one of the complement of RF\/MW weapons in Russia&rsquo;s possession. While the U.S. intelligence community continues to reject abundant evidence of Russian RF\/MW activity (scroll to the end of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/opinion\/3283379\/intelligence-community-havana-syndrome-russia-cover-up\/\">article here<\/a>), the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> understands that Russia possesses numerous such devices ranging from truck to backpack-sized capabilities. But the lack of statements from Highnam on AHI attribution or victim support has some of those victims concerned.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/opinion\/beltway-confidential\/4451620\/no-country-for-free-men-jimmy-lai-sentencing-china\/\">NO COUNTRY FOR FREE MEN<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Adam,&rdquo; a former CIA officer afflicted by AHI during a tour in Havana, is among them. He told the <em>Washington Examiner <\/em>that he expects this move will &ldquo;delay the issue by years, if not indefinitely, due to fractured interagency relationships and deep distrust of the incoming Research and Engineering leadership team.&rdquo; In reference to Highnam&rsquo;s &ldquo;damaged&rdquo; comment, Adam added, &ldquo;As much as he may think of us as a piece of discarded furniture, we were the tip of the spear for the U.S. government.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Reached for comment, a Pentagon official told the <em>Washington Examiner <\/em>that &ldquo;We have nothing to announce regarding a reorganization of our AHI Cross-Functional Team and we will not address speculation about supposed concepts or plans.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/opinion\/beltway-confidential\/4451620\/no-country-for-free-men-jimmy-lai-sentencing-china\/\"> <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Pentagon relocates Havana Syndrome team, alarms victims<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2724,"featured_media":2568631,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AP26037544888397.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[546,33651],"tags":[71036,8327,3761,16582,4931],"class_list":["post-2568630","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-federalist","category-the-western-journal","tag-havana-syndrome","tag-investigations","tag-pentagon","tag-relocation","tag-victims"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AP26037544888397.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2568630","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2724"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2568630"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2568630\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2568634,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2568630\/revisions\/2568634"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2568631"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2568630"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2568630"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2568630"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}