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Latest Policy Publications
POGO’s experts push policymakers to enact commonsense reforms that tackle waste, corruption, and abuse of power; hold those who’ve violated the public trust accountable; protect our constitutional rights; and make the government work for all people.
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Analysis
Activist Court Decision Strips Civil Service Rights and Whistleblower Protections From National Security Positions
A devastating court decision Tuesday stripped federal employees of their right to appeal a personnel action—even if it is discriminatory or in retaliation for whistleblowing. This deeply flawed, activist decision arms agencies with sweeping power not granted by the president o...
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Analysis
Government Confirms Area 51, But Answers Still Secret
Despite years of denying the existence of Area 51, the CIA, in response to a Freedom of information Request from the National Security Archive has finally confirmed that the Nevada base exists and that it is, indeed, named Area 51.
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AnalysisDavid Axe Explains Why the F-35 Cannot Be Fixed
David Axe has written his analysis of the F-35. Perhaps his most important contribution is to explain to those who want to "fix" (or "stabilize") the F-35 through the test process and build some limited number of them and thereby "save money" is ...
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AnalysisDon Vandergriff’s “The Path to Victory: America’s Army and the Revolution in Human Affairs,” second edition
Major Don Vandergriff (USA, ret.) has released the second--expanded and updated--edition of his critical analysis of the Army's officer corps, "The Path to Victory: America's Army and the Revolution in Human Affairs."
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AnalysisAn Essay on John Boyd and the State of Affairs in America’s Defense Establishment with an Introduction by Chuck Spinney
While no short essay can capture the entirety of Boyd's thinking, attached below is an excellent introduction to what some might call John Boyd's art of war.
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Analysis
Report: Nuclear Power Plants Vulnerable to Terrorist Attacks; POGO Work Cited
Echoing the same concerns POGO has made over the years, a new study from a University of Texas research group says the nation’s commercial nuclear reactors are not prepared to defend themselves against “credible” terrorist threats.
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Analysis
Freeland Says Globalization, Technology and Global Politics Driving Growth of the Super Rich
In Plutocrats: The Rise of the Global Super-Rich, Chrystia Freeland describes how wealth is becoming increasingly concentrated in the hands of a historically tiny number individuals, who live a lifestyle many people can barely imagine.
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Analysis
Ghattas: U.S. Foreign Policy Must Adapt to the 21st Century, Rising Superpowers
During her term as Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton traveled nearly a million miles to more than 100 different countries. And BBC Correspondent Kim Ghattas was right there with her.
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Analysis
Review of the Quality of Army Leadership with Recommendations
There is a devastating review of the quality of Army leadership at the new issue of Armed Forces Journal.
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Analysis
DoD Memo Sheds Light on New Whistleblower Protections
A document released by the DoD outlines new protections for whistleblowers in the intelligence and national security communities but leaves many questions unanswered.
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Analysis
Y-12 Security: Time to Give Federalized Guard Force a Shot?
A recent accidental firearm discharge at the Y-12 nuclear facility has injured two security officers, and raises questions about just how much has been done to improve safety and security at the site since the break-in one year ago.
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Analysis
Goodman: America’s Bloated Military Spending Hurts U.S. Mission
In his sixth book on international security issues, National Insecurity: The Cost of American Militarism, Melvin Goodman breaks down America’s military and intelligence failures stretching back to the Eisenhower administration.