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Visualizing politics through a class lens. A newsletter by Stephen Semler.

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Latest Issues

Iran War is first US war the public never supported

Polygraph | Newsletter n°342 | 29 May 2026

IN THIS NEWSLETTER: The Iran War is on track to become the most unpopular US war in history. In a way, it already is.

11 days ago
28
3
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Falling wages, spiraling credit card debt

IN THIS NEWSLETTER: Credit card debt and the erosion of economic security.

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*My latest for Popular Information: The real cost of the Iran War: $72 billion for the first 60 days

*Coverage of my war cost estimate: Expert: Iran war cos...

25 days ago
41

What $1.5 trillion for the Pentagon could fund instead

IN THIS NEWSLETTER: What $1.5 trillion could do outside the Pentagon.

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*Findings from the previous Polygraph newsletter were featured in this Forbes op-ed and this Yale debate. Thank you to my paid subscribers for making that researc...

a month ago
32
2

Trump’s budget for 2027, a breakdown

IN THIS NEWSLETTER: 80% of Trump’s proposed budget goes to war and policing.

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ICYMI: US spends $2.1 billion a day on the Iran War

Thank you, Lou B. and Viviane A., for becoming paid subscribers! Join Lou, Viviane, and the other Poly...

2 months ago
31
2

Trump proposes largest military budget ever

Polygraph | Newsletter n°338 | 3 Apr 2026

IN THIS NEWSLETTER: Trump’s proposed $1.5 trillion military budget compared to enacted US military budgets since 1940.

2 months ago
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  • Stephen Semler

    Producer of charts & policy analysis for the working class. Now: Senior Fellow, Center for International Policy; Cofounder, Security Policy Reform Institute (SPRI); Contributor, Costs of War Project. Before: humanitarian sector, lobbying, volleyball.

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