Browse All Newsletter Issues
The Bunker: Iron Dumb

The Bunker: Iron Dumb

This week in The Bunker:  The U.S. launches another futile effort to render itself invulnerable to “all” overseas aerial threats; latest actions by commander-in-chief petty officer; The Bunker turns five today!; and more. 

February 05, 2025 | Mark Thompson

The Bunker: Rubber checks and imbalances

The Bunker: Rubber checks and imbalances

This week in The Bunker: the Pentagon’s new boss signals White House overreach and a loss of congressional guts; President Donald Trump calls for a big boost in U.S. defense spending; an IG report highlights the challenge of tracking that spending; and more.

January 29, 2025 | Mark Thompson

The Bunker: Sloppy Pentagon shopping

The Bunker: Sloppy Pentagon shopping

This week in The Bunker: why the costs of complex weapons rise as those for complicated consumer items fall; another 80% target for Pentagon readiness; an environmentally-friendly nuclear bomber; and more.

January 22, 2025 | Mark Thompson

The Bunker: Heaping Hyperbole

The Bunker: Heaping Hyperbole

This week in The Bunker: the Navy plans to spend a cool $1 trillion to expand its fleet; the Pentagon pursues yet another wonder weapon; Russian progress in Ukraine could be costly; and more.

January 15, 2025 | Mark Thompson

The Bunker: Showtime, Shootdowns, and Show ’em the Door

The Bunker: Showtime, Shootdowns, and Show ’em the Door

This week in The Bunker: Welcome back for what is sure to be a bang-up year for U.S. national security…checking out the new team; the latest shootdown; the Pentagon’s Border Patrol; and more.

January 08, 2025 | Mark Thompson

  • Alerts and Updates

    Want to join the community and stay informed on the fight for a more effective and accountable government? Sign up for updates on our work and things you can do to get involved.

    Alerts & Updates logo
  • The Bridge

    The inner workings of our government can seem hard to follow. That’s why POGO created The Bridge: It offers a way into oversight, one topic — and one easy-to-read newsletter — at a time.

    The Bridge logo surrounded by a collage of crowds of people and the U.S. Capitol building
  • The Paper Trail

    Easy to click and easy to follow, The Paper Trail is a curated collection of the government news you need to know.

    The Paper Trail logo in front of government buildings in Washington, DC