A prominent scientific panel known as the JASONs last month delivered a set of secret recommendations to the U.S. Energy Department on the future maintenance and modernization of the nuclear arsenal, a document some experts say could significantly influence policy debates on the matter (see GSN [2], Sept. 24).  The Energy Department's semiautonomous nuclear arm would not describe the JASON panel's classified findings. However, some of those familiar with the findings described the report as supporting ongoing efforts to extend the service lives of existing warheads, rather than replacing them with reworked designs.

Jeffrey Lewis, head of the New America Foundation's [3] Nuclear Strategy and Nonproliferation Initiative, said, "It seems that the JASON report has knocked the legs out from under the argument that building new warheads is technically preferable to refurbishing the old ones," adding, "I would be surprised if the administration didn't put aside the issue of new warheads for the time being."