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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
Review Finds Security Problems at Diplomatic Posts
An audit by the State Department Inspector General found deficient security at overseas posts under high threat.
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Analysis
U.S. Reconstruction Project in Afghanistan Gets an F
A new watchdog report found that a teacher training facility in Afghanistan is in precarious shape, thanks to two contractors who were allowed to walk away from the job by the Army Corps of Engineers.
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Analysis
Syria-Aiding Russian Contractor Awarded Another DoD Contract
After coming under fire for its ties to Syria and Iran, Russian helicopter contractor Rosoboronexport was recently awarded a nearly $600 million contract with the Department of Defense.
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AnalysisTwo Super Pieces of Work on Global Hawk
Northrop Grumman's political strategy "is entirely predictable - hire the right people, target the right people, contribute to the right people, then link them together with subcontractors and go for the gold," said Gordon Adams [6], who served as the senior White Ho...
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AnalysisThe Defense Budget Is Even Larger Than You Think: part two
"If Congress goes along [by approving President Obama's 2014 DOD budget request], Pentagon spending levels will exceed any previous high by any other president in any year in peace or in war since the death of President Roosevelt in 1945, except for President George W. Bu...
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Analysis
Is the Defense Budget Even Larger than You Think?
In a two part series (titled "The Defense Budget Is Even Larger than You Think") at Time magazine's Battleland blog, I attempt to explain how high spending advocates and even the Department of Defense misuse and manipulate budget data to alter public and congressiona...
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Analysis
Secret Court Resists Releasing Surveillance Opinions
Transparency advocates have long called for the declassification of secret court opinions that have allowed broad domestic surveillance. A recent letter from the court responsible for approving surveillance requests casts doubt on the release of these opinions, but on question...
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Analysis
A White Elephant and Toxic Air at Camp Leatherneck
The Afghanistan reconstruction watchdog found two egregious examples of waste at Camp Leatherneck.
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AnalysisA Short Commentary on F-35 Journalism
In addition to the quality reporting on the F-35 by several reporters, there is some at the other end of the spectrum-sometimes from defense journalists; sometimes from local reporters. Two examples follow, with comments and examples of readily available materials they overlo...
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Analysis
FBI Nominee Supports Whistleblowers and Transparency
In his testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee Monday, President Barack Obama’s nomination for director of the FBI, James Comey, spoke in favor of protecting whistleblowers and increasing transparency in government.
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Analysis
Congress Should Stop Funding Unneeded Nuclear Programs
The House is voting today on two amendments that will cut funding two nuclear programs that Project On Government Oversight has spoken out against in the past.
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Analysis
Does New Policy Protect Intelligence Whistleblowers?
New protections for national security and intelligence community whistleblowers are being implemented, but it is unclear yet how effective they will be.