Diplomats targeted in sonic weapon attacks in Cuba have suffered brain damage

> While I have not served in Cuba, my experience in a number of similar hostile, high counterintelligence threat countries suggests that this is more likely a surveillance effort gone wrong, than the use of an offensive sonic weapon.

> We have very little experience anywhere in the world with directed attacks designed to physically harm to our diplomats. However, the use of intrusive technical collection and surveillance which sometimes causes harm in its own right is consistent with past practice in Cuba and elsewhere.

Source: http://www.newsweek.com/whos-making-our-diplomats-cuba-go-de...

> Although low-frequency infrasound systems can “silently” cause a wide range of symptoms in human targets – including fairly severe inner ear and even hair cell damage – the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) doesn’t suggest that any brain damage can be caused.

> High-frequency microwaves, however, could certainly cause brain damage without making a sound. If targeted at a person, small bursts could induce “shockwaves” in brain tissue, as well as the inner ear. Prolonged exposures could cause permanent damage.

I'm not sure exactly what is being discussed by this article which is thinly sourced.

However, it is true that _ultrasonic_ waves can change brain activity. It is typically difficult to couple ultrasonic waves to the head. We hear up to 20kHz. 100kHz is marginally attenuated by air. 1Mhz and above are highly attenuated by air, and that's why ultrasound imaging requires a gel to couple the ultrasound generator to your skin.

IF the article is correct that some kind of sonic weapon caused low-grade brain injury, perhaps it was a super-high-amplitude ultrasound in the 50-300kHz range?

"While MRI and CAT scans are often normal, the individual has cognitive problems such as headache, difficulty thinking, memory problems, attention deficits, mood swings and frustration.

[...]

Common Symptoms of Mild TBI

    Fatigue
    Headaches
    Visual disturbances
    Memory loss
    Poor attention/concentration
    Sleep disturbances
    Dizziness/loss of balance
    Irritability-emotional disturbances
    Feelings of depression
    Seizures

These symptoms may not be present or noticed at the time of injury. They may be delayed days or weeks before they appear. The symptoms are often subtle and are often missed by the injured person, family and doctors." http://www.traumaticbraininjury.com/symptoms-of-tbi/mild-tbi...

It doesn't really sound like a meaningful diagnosis to me.

this suggests it might be more of an accident than an intentional attack (ie. weapon)

Cuba has this tech? Yeah, right.