GATES WANTS TO CLOSE GUANTANAMO.

It looks like Defense Secretary Robert Gates is moving forward on closing Guantanamo:

Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said Mr Gates - who is to retain his position in the new administration - had wanted to be prepared in case Mr Obama wished to tackle the issue "early in his tenure". 

"He has asked his team for a proposal on how to shut it down, what will be required specifically to close it and move the detainees from that facility, and at the same time protect the American people from dangerous terrorists," he said.

The fact that Gates is already drawing up plans to close the facility can probably be seen as an indication that Obama intends to keep his promise. Hopefully this will be followed by concrete changes in interrogation policy as well.

--A. Serwer