OR, Defence and Security presents eleven papers, originally published in the Journal of the Operational Research Society and the Journal of Simulation, which exemplify important themes and topics in Operational Research (OR), as applied to modern-day defense and security issues. Topics range from frontline OR in a peace-support operation to new developments in combat modelling, and from the logistics of overseas intervention to defence planning at the top level. Also included are examples of applications addressing insurgency and terrorism. Edited by Dr Roger A. Forder, who had a distinguished career in OR in the UK Ministry of Defence, he has also written an authoritative introductory chapter which sets the papers in the context of the global strategic environment as it has evolved since the end of the Cold War. The OR Essentials series presents a unique cross-section of high quality research work fundamental to understanding contemporary issues and research in across a range of Operational Research (OR) topics. It brings together some of the best research papers from the esteemed Operational Research Society and its associated journals, also published by Palgrave Macmillan.

Roger Forder retired from the UK Ministry of Defence in 2010 after a 36-year career in defence OR. For six years he was Chief Analyst of the MoD's Centre for Defence Analysis and then held similar responsibilities in the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory following its formation in 2001. He was a long-time member, and for two years chairman, of NATO's System Analysis and Studies Panel.

1. Operational Research for Defence and Security; Roger Forder 2. Providing Operational Analysis to a Peace Support Operation: the Kosovo Experience 3. Validation of the Mission-based Approach to Representing Command and Control in Simulation Models of Conflict 4. The Hybrid War Model: a Complex Adaptive Model of Complex Urban Conflict 5. Incorporating Fractal Concepts into Equations of Attrition for Military Conflicts 6. When Lanchester Met Richardson, the Outcome was Stalemate: a Parable for Mathematical Models of Insurgency 7. Risk taking by decision makersusing card-based decision gaming to develop models of behaviour 8. Canadian Forces Global Reach Support Hubs: Facility Location and Aircraft Routing Models 9. Benefits Analysis - a Robust Assessment Approach 10. An Australian Approach to Concept Development and Experimentation: Linking Strategy to Capability 11. Inferring Missing Links in Partially Observed Social Networks 12. Subsidizing to Disrupt a Terrorism Supply Chain - a Four-Player Game