Veronika Fikfak is Fellow and Lecturer in Law at Homerton College, University of Cambridge.Hayley J Hooper is Fellow in Law at Christ Church, University of Oxford.

The literature on parliamentary control of military action has blossomed since the predictably ill-fated war in Iraq. Parliament’s Secret War represents its clear high point. It is exceptionally well researched, intellectually well rounded, and responds fully to the challenge it sets itself, showing why the war powers convention falls short and making a compelling case for reforms which might remedy some of its current failings.

• 1. Parliament’s Secret War 1Veronika Fikfak and Hayley J HooperA. The Role of the House of Commons in War Powers Decisions: An Historical View B. From Discretion to Democratisation C. Roadmap of the Book D. Methodology: The Political Constitution and Evidence-Based Public Law 2. A Legal War? Veronika FikfakA. Use of Force as an International Legal Question B. Bringing the War Question Home C. Use of Force as a Domestic Question D. The Implications of Linking International Legality to Parliament’s Constitutional Role on War E. Shining a Light on the Subjugation of Politics 3. The Convention as a Battlefield Veronika FikfakA. The Role of Conventions in the UK Constitutional Sphere B. The Timing of the Engagement C. Parliament’s Hollow Veto Power D. Emergencies, Drones and Special Forces E. Unrealised Accountability 4. The Deployment of Secrecy Hayley J HooperA. Groupthink and Information Asymmetry B. Complete Asymmetry: Refusing Debates and Making Secret Pre-commitments C. Partial Asymmetry: Selective Disclosures D. Reforming the Intelligence Machinery: An Incomplete SolutionE. Towards a New Nomenclature of Secrecy 5. Re-arming Parliament: Fostering Politics Veronika Fikfak and Hayley J HooperA. Moving Beyond the Standard Solutions B. Creating Space for Politics and Equipping Parliament for Deliberation C. Voting Within a Culture of Justification 6. Closed Intelligence Sessions Hayley J HooperA. Chilcot’s Proposal for Parliamentary Scrutiny of Intelligence Material B. The Alternative: Closed Intelligence Sessions of the Whole House of Commons C. Justifications for Initiating a Closed Intelligence Session D. Controlling Abuse of Closed Intelligence SessionsE. Security Considerations F. Inclusive Secrecy, Transparency, Participation and Accountability

Veronika Fikfak is Fellow and Lecturer in Law at Homerton College, University of Cambridge.Hayley J Hooper is Fellow in Law at Christ Church, University of Oxford.

The literature on parliamentary control of military action has blossomed since the predictably ill-fated war in Iraq. Parliament’s Secret War represents its clear high point. It is exceptionally well researched, intellectually well rounded, and responds fully to the challenge it sets itself, showing why the war powers convention falls short and making a compelling case for reforms which might remedy some of its current failings.

• 1. Parliament’s Secret War 1Veronika Fikfak and Hayley J HooperA. The Role of the House of Commons in War Powers Decisions: An Historical View B. From Discretion to Democratisation C. Roadmap of the Book D. Methodology: The Political Constitution and Evidence-Based Public Law 2. A Legal War? Veronika FikfakA. Use of Force as an International Legal Question B. Bringing the War Question Home C. Use of Force as a Domestic Question D. The Implications of Linking International Legality to Parliament’s Constitutional Role on War E. Shining a Light on the Subjugation of Politics 3. The Convention as a Battlefield Veronika FikfakA. The Role of Conventions in the UK Constitutional Sphere B. The Timing of the Engagement C. Parliament’s Hollow Veto Power D. Emergencies, Drones and Special Forces E. Unrealised Accountability 4. The Deployment of Secrecy Hayley J HooperA. Groupthink and Information Asymmetry B. Complete Asymmetry: Refusing Debates and Making Secret Pre-commitments C. Partial Asymmetry: Selective Disclosures D. Reforming the Intelligence Machinery: An Incomplete SolutionE. Towards a New Nomenclature of Secrecy 5. Re-arming Parliament: Fostering Politics Veronika Fikfak and Hayley J HooperA. Moving Beyond the Standard Solutions B. Creating Space for Politics and Equipping Parliament for Deliberation C. Voting Within a Culture of Justification 6. Closed Intelligence Sessions Hayley J HooperA. Chilcot’s Proposal for Parliamentary Scrutiny of Intelligence Material B. The Alternative: Closed Intelligence Sessions of the Whole House of Commons C. Justifications for Initiating a Closed Intelligence Session D. Controlling Abuse of Closed Intelligence SessionsE. Security Considerations F. Inclusive Secrecy, Transparency, Participation and Accountability