The Foreign Service Journal, October 2024

14 OCTOBER 2024 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL C onflicts rarely resolve themselves—they require intense, behind-the-scenes negotiations, often out of the public eye. This month’s highlighted podcast, The Negotiators, a Foreign Policy podcast in collaboration with Doha Debates, offers listeners a front-row seat to some of the world’s most challenging negotiations. It takes you through the dramatic stories of mediators navigating nuclear stand-offs, hostage crises, and gang mediations. In each episode, one key player recounts the story of a significant negotiation—from the Good Friday Agreement that ended decades of violence in Northern Ireland to the thorny issue of water rights between Mexico and the U.S. Recent episodes delve deep into Afghanistan, with a seven-part series exploring the intricate and often perilous negotiations surrounding the country’s tumultuous recent history, from clandestine talks with the Taliban to the controversial Doha agreement. The podcast is hosted by Jennifer Williams, the deputy editor at Foreign Policy and former senior foreign editor at Vox, who brings her extensive experience to the podcast, guiding listeners through these gripping tales of diplomacy and deal-making. The Negotiators is about the process, the people, and the perseverance required to make peace and achieve justice. Podcast of the Month: The Negotiators (https://foreignpolicy.com/podcasts/negotiators/) The appearance of a particular site or podcast is for information only and does not constitute an endorsement. Challenges for Havana Syndrome Patients A recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report documents the significant challenges faced by U.S. federal employees, contractors, and their families diagnosed with “Havana syndrome” in accessing medical care through the military health system. The condition, known officially as “anomalous health incidents” (AHIs), has affected individuals worldwide, including in Cuba, where the first cases were reported in 2016. Symptoms include severe headaches, tinnitus, vertigo, and cognitive dysfunction. GAO’s findings, based on interviews with 65 of the 334 individuals eligible for care, highlight the difficulties these patients continue to face in navigating the military health system. Issues include inconsistent support from home agencies, unclear points of contact, and challenges in scheduling appointments at military facilities. The report notes that many patients felt they received insufficient guidance from the Department of Defense (DoD) and often relied on informal support groups, which sometimes provided inaccurate information. In response to the report, Republican leaders on the House Homeland Security Committee have expressed deep concern over the Biden administration’s handling of the issue. In a letter to National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, Chairman Mark E. Green (R-Tenn.) and Subcommittee Chairman August Pfluger (R-Texas) criticized the administration for its lack of clear communication and demanded a briefing from the National Security Council. They also urged the administration to prioritize the allocation of unused funds to support AHI victims and to fully implement the HAVANA Act, a 2021 law that authorizes compensation for affected intelligence, diplomatic, and government personnel. GAO recommended that DoD improve communication by developing written guidance, establishing a formal mechanism to provide information to patients, and adding monitoring provisions to its plan. In a statement, the DoD concurred with GAO’s recommendations and noted that it is developing a handbook to guide patients and enhance monitoring capabilities. The report highlighted, however, that as of May 2024, only 33 of the 334 eligible patients had been entered into the AHI Registry, a database meant to support research and treatment. Republican lawmakers and others, including lawyer Mark S. Zaid, who has represented several AHI victims, have criticized the inconsistent standards for compensation under the HAVANA Act and the delays in DoD’s response. Zaid pointed out the disparities in treatment between different agencies, such as the CIA and State Department, and the lack of compensation mechanisms for active-duty military victims. GAO’s report calls for continued efforts to address the challenges faced by AHI patients and ensure they receive the care and support they need through the military health system.

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