This volume investigates the critical military developments and disarmament efforts that defined the global security landscape throughout 1988. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) utilizes its extensive network of researchers and primary data to provide a comprehensive analysis of international arms trade, ballistic missile proliferation, and the evolving role of the United Nations in conflict resolution. The text serves as a rigorous reference framework for understanding the geopolitical tensions and diplomatic maneuvers of the late Cold War era.

Experts and scholars in international relations consistently cite this yearbook as a foundational primary source for historical data regarding late 20th-century military policy. Readers frequently note the high density of technical information and the objective, data-driven approach maintained throughout the analysis.