that's how this always goes. Big narrative push, then a small little sheepish admission it was all BS years later, when the damage has long been done (or the power conflict benefit has been reaped; depending on your perspective.) Now let's take this as our daily reminder to never, ever believe any sensationalist, horror claim about hostile/competition powers. Yes, including -that- one.

I have a few theories.

- a mass psychogenic illness/somatic symptom disorder.

- malingering

- a cover story for bringing new personnel in and the installation of new surveillance equipment.

I think its all of them but it began as #3.

Getting high on your own paranoid propaganda.

As it was expected and predicted by many smart people.

So it's a campaign by an allied power?

Maybe more like.. Well I know them, bit I can't say we are friends sorta situation?

Or alternatively, it is a foreign power and for diplomatic or strategic or disinformation reasons CIA is denying it.