Confidence-building measures (CBMs) have been successful in the past in defusing volatile situations such as those arising from the Cold War and the ongoing problems in the Middle East. Michael Krepon and Amit Sevak have assembled a group of the best new scholars, policy-makers, and journalists currently working on CBMs and have directed their attention to another area of high conflict, South Asia.

In the winter of 1986-87 and in the spring of 1990, Indian and Pakistani leaders employed CBMs to help avoid a fourth war in South Asia. But recently, these CBMs have been linked to increased friction over Kashmir. By looking at India, Pakistan, Kashmir, and China, as well as other areas, the scholars in this book convincingly argue for the viability of CBMs in effecting lasting conflict-resolution in the area.