With support from the University of Richmond

History News Network

History News Network puts current events into historical perspective. Subscribe to our newsletter for new perspectives on the ways history continues to resonate in the present. Explore our archive of thousands of original op-eds and curated stories from around the web. Join us to learn more about the past, now.

President Barack Obama acts on Guantanamo as he begins work

Barack Obama has applied to have military tribunals at Guantanamo Bay suspended as he got straight down to work after his historic inauguration.

Hours after attending a series of inaugural balls, the new President headed for the Oval Office where he issued a request to halt proceedings in 21 pending cases including one relating to the 9/11 attacks.

Mr Obama was expected to launch straight into tackling his top military and economic challenges, in the hope of getting his administration off to a fast start.

His first move came in the form of a request to prosecutors at the controversial military tribunals in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to suspend trial proceedings. Military judges were expected to rule on the request later on Wednesday.

Read entire article at Telegraph(UK)