CBW Project Publications - Six Volume Series

The early years of the CBW Project saw the publication of the six-volume series The Problem of Chemical and Biological Warfare which is still widely regarded as the standard reference work on early developments in CBW. Demand for this series is so great, although it is now out of print, that an electronic version has been prepared and is available on CD-ROM.

Details of how to order this CD and other SIPRI publications can be found via the recent SIPRI publications page.

Volume I. The Rise of CB Weapons (1971)

A description of the main lines of development in the technology underlying CBW and in the constraints affecting use of chemical and biological weapons. The period covered is approximately 1914-45, although more recent developments in CW technology are also described. In addition, the volume includes an account of all instances known to SIPRI when CB weapons have been used in war, or when their use has been alleged; in this case the time-span is 1914-70.

Volume II. CB Weapons Today (1973)

A description of the present state of CBW technology and of national CBW programmes and policies. It also includes a discussion of the attractions and liabilities of CB weapons, and of the consequences, intentional or unintentional, that might follow their use.

Volume III. CBW and the Law of War (1973)

A description of the legal limitations on the use of chemical and biological weapons. It comprises discussions of the field of application of the Geneva Protocol, particularly as regards non-lethal chemical weapons and anti-plant agents, of the existence, development and scope of the prohibition of CBW provided by the customary law of war, and of the application to CBW of general principles of the law of war. It also reviews the juristic works in this field.

Volume IV. CB Disarmament Negotiations, 1920-1970 (1971)

A review of the activities of the League of Nations and the United Nations in extending and reinforcing the prohibitions concerning chemical and biological weapons, including a report of recent negotiations for international CB disarmament. The volume also contains an account of those instances when formal complaints of the use of CB weapons have been made to the two world organizations.

Volume V. Technical Aspects of Early Warning and Verification (1971)

A discussion of measures that might be adopted to prevent future CBW. The volume describes steps that might be taken to strengthen the legal prohibition of CBW, and the problems and possibilities, including those of verification, involved in the negotiation of CB disarmament.

Volume VI. The Prevention of CBW (1975)

A technical account of SIPRI research on methods of early warning and identification of biological warfare agents, together with a description of two experimental SIPRI projects on CB verification. The first project concerns the non-production of BW agents and involved visits to biological laboratories in several countries; the second concerns the non-production of organophosphorus CW agents and summarizes the results of a symposium.