A Heads-Up on Obama's First Steps?

I've picked up a bit of information about the immediate measures of an Obama Administration.

As the media is anticipating, there will be the announcement of the closure of Camp X-Ray at Guantanamo Bay. Then, in a more surprising step, Obama will make a move for better relations with Cuba.

Less heartening is the evaluation that "engagement" with states like Iran may come "in the second year" of the Obama Administration. My fear is that even this cautious timetable will slip or be set aside.

Comments

[Canuckistan]

Is it "suprising" that efforts might be made to improve relations with Cuba? Obama while battling Clinton in February said he would be willing to meet with Raul Castro. I thought this promise would come back to haunt him in the presidential campaign in Florida but it didn't so there doesn't seem to be a negative to following through on it. The Iran promise is the more complicated one politically.

[Scott Lucas]

My "surprise" may be more in that the domestic political situation has changed so much in the US that Obama can move on Cuba without fear of a significant resistance from that part of the Cuban-American community, and their Congressional supporters, who approach any easing of relations.

[rich]

Any word on what might happen to Camp X-Ray's residents when the prison is decommissioned? I doubt many can go home, so will they face military tribunal or trial by jury (and can either be considered 'fair'?), and where will any innocent men be resettled? Will any guilty inmates be incarcerated in the US penal system?

Will any innocents be rehoused within the US after years of unlimited detention? Seems like there's not too many viable options for the guys who've been forced to call Guantanamo home for the last few years...