There’s this legal analysis from the AP:

In reversing itself and blocking the release of photos of U.S. military personnel abusing detainees, the Obama administration claims to have found a new legal argument. It hasn’t.
What the administration has found is a way to pass the buck to the courts. President Barack Obama was criticized for last month’s release of memos authorizing harsh interrogation techniques. If the photos are now made public over White House objections, the inevitable outrage might be deflected toward the courts and away from the president.