A little more than four years ago, President Obama promised something that he would ultimately not be able to deliver: the closing of Guantanamo Bay.
Riding on the waves of hope and change, Obama campaigned in 2008 on a simple idea: that as the world’s leader, America had a responsibility to use its power wisely and responsibly. “Our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example…” he proclaimed on the west front of the Capitol.
Back in 2009, Guantanamo was considered to be Bush’s invention, and Obama was the outsider, looking in. But now, it is Obama’s Guantanamo, and when the history books finish writing their chapter about him, his failure to close the facility—along with his careless use of predator drones—may be the biggest mistake of his presidency.
Given the seemingly insurmountable politics preventing Guantanamo’s closing, what can President Obama do to mitigate the damage in the meantime?