- WikiLeaks drops Gitmo files, though revelations are few. The documents tell the story of what alleged plotters were doing on 9/11.
- The Washington Post reports out the slow death of the effort to close Guantanamo:
For more than two years, the White House’s plans had been undermined by political miscalculations, confusion and timidity in the face of mounting congressional opposition, according to some inside the administration as well as on Capitol Hill. Indeed, the failed effort to close Guantanamo was reflective of the aspects of Obama’s leadership style that continue to distress his liberal base — a willingness to allow room for compromise and a passivity that at times permits opponents to set the agenda.
- Syria’s regime closes the border with Jordan as tanks roll into Dara’a.
- Ryan Lizza traces the history of Obama’s foreign policy outlook. One interesting nugget from a memo the President wrote on democracy movements in the Mideast:
Obama’s analysis showed a desire to balance interests and ideals. The goals of reform and democracy were couched in the language of U.S. interests rather than the sharp moral language that statesmen often use in public. “Increased repression could threaten the political and economic stability of some of our allies, leave us with fewer capable, credible partners who can support our regional priorities, and further alienate citizens in the region,” Obama wrote. “Moreover, our regional and international credibility will be undermined if we are seen or perceived to be backing repressive regimes and ignoring the rights and aspirations of citizens.”
That was in August, 2010.
- John McCain is optimistic — and pushing for more involvement — in Libya.
- New York Mag profiles Krugman, bastion of economic liberalism.
- The Fed’s first ever press conference is on Wednesday, so it’s time to ask: Is the Fed failing? Inflation hawks are saying it’s not fulfilling its price stability mandate and a tepid recovery offers pretty good evidence that it’s not fulfilling its employment mandate. Once the latest bond-buying program expires, what’s next?
- Tom Coburn is now waging a full-on publicity campaign against Grover Norquist and ATR:
“Which pledge is most important… the pledge to uphold your oath to the Constitution of the United States or a pledge from a special interest group who claims to speak for all American conservatives when, in fact, they really don’t?”
- The Republican House Financial Services chair’s county is going broke. The culprit? Interest rate swaps.
- Californians support tax hikes.
- The GOP 2012 cash scramble begins in earnest.
- And a judge rules murals are government speech.