Matt Whitaker explains why US reluctant to blame Russia for Havana syndrome that gave diplomats nosebleeds
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Matt Whitaker appeared alongside co-host Brian Kilmeade to discuss a joint media investigative report suggesting that Russia is behind the Havana syndrome on the Wednesday, March 3 episode of 'Fox & Friends.'
An attorney for one of the victims claimed that the United States government wanted the issue to be buried, shared Kilmeade while introducing the subject and playing a clip from the CBS '60 Minutes' show.
What is the Havana syndrome?
According to The Guardian, the Havana syndrome was first reported in 2016 when US diplomats in Cuba reported hearing piercing sounds at night. Other symptoms included bloody noses, headaches, vision problems, and other strange auditory sensations. Similar issues were then faced by staff in China and across Europe.
Considered to be “anomalous health incidents” by US officials, their stance has been contradicted by the recent report following a year-long investigation, which suggests that the probable cause for the symptoms is sonic weaponry created and employed by Unit 29155 of the Russian GRU.
Matt Whitaker says US has run out of sanctions for Russia
"Right now the intelligence community doesn't believe that this weapon exists or these people have been affected by it," the former acting Attorney General told Kilmeade. "But obviously, these are real people that have real symptoms and real problems..."
"The question is does this exist as a weapon, and I think the DoD believes it is more likely than the intelligence community does. But if it does, then what do you do? If they are attacking American citizens, what is the response?"
"Because right now we are in a relationship with Russia where we have run out of sanctions we can apply," he continues. "We don't have a lot of things we can do to hurt Russia for attacking our American citizens if that's what ends up being happening here."
It is also difficult to come up with a response if it is yet to be established that "Russia is behind it," added Whitaker. "That is why the intelligence community and the state department are taking this attitude of 'we're going to have to need more evidence ... When does get to a point that the government changes that assessment?"
