ABSTRACT
Most wars now seem to be fought by a State, or an alliance of States on one side, and terrorists on the other. The process of disarmament is clearly having an important impact on the Law of War. In practice, disarmament on a partial or limited basis operates to regulate wars: certain weapons are prohibited; others may not be used except in a specific way; others may only be used provided their effects are not of a prohibited nature. The trend to prohibit weapons at, or even before, the research stage, is important as it is more difficult to eliminate weapons which are manufactured and deployed. Further detailed rules on weapons and methods of warfare, coupled with humanitarian rules, form the important body of the Law of War. In spite of some disagreement, particularly on the part of the United States with regard to incendiary weapons, the Weapons Conventions have already been treated, in large parts, as binding international law.
