Regions

•  The Americas •  Africa •  Europe •  East Asia and the Pacific •  Middle East

Policy Pages

• Biological & Chemical Weapons • Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban • Conventional Weapons • Landmines •  Non-Proliferation •  Missile Defense & the ABM Treaty •  Small Arms & Light Weapons •  Strategic Arms Reduction

Additional Resources

•  CSBM Links

Discussions on Confidence and Security Building Measures (CSBMs) are ongoing across the world. (Click on a region of the world, listed at left, to find out about CSBMs in that region.) Some of these regions are at peace; others have deep histories of conflict and mistrust. Despite such differences, all of these regions are exploring ways to keep peace and create greater security through democracy, economic integration, arms control, and most notably through the development and adoption of Confidence and Security Building Measures.

Throughout history, humans, in their interactions with one another, have sought to dispel distrust and build confidence through symbolic gestures that prove peaceful intentions. Similarly, Confidence and Security Building Measures seek to reduce or eliminate the causes of mistrust, fear, tension, and hostility amongst modern states.

CSBMs increase openness and transparency in military activities and in arms acquisitions, thus increasing the predictability of other states' actions and behavior. Under a successful CSBMs arrangement, normal military activities are not mistakenly perceived as threatening. In addition, military activities that do pose a threat are immediately identifiable as out of the ordinary, allowing time for a state to seek clarification or react militarily if necessary.