President Obama at the Brandenburg Gate

President Obama only went into specifics on the issue of nuclear disarmament, where he announced his initiative for a sharp reduction in strategic nuclear weapons. It fitted well with the setting -- after all, he was standing on the frontline of the Cold War. But one couldn't help shrugging one's shoulders at it. After all, the nuclear arsenals of the US and Russia don't pose the most pressing threat to world security anymore. And his initiative may peter out anyway. Russian was quick to pour cold water on it. But Obama won't mind. He made his announcement -- apart from that, this day was all about conveying the right symbolism and atmosphere.

Denn von den Atomwaffen Russlands und der USA geht heute wahrlich nicht die größte Gefahr aus. Und womöglich verpufft der Vorstoß ohne Wirkung - die Russen jedenfalls winken schon mal ab. Obama wird es in diesem Moment egal sein. Er hat einen Punkt gesetzt - davon abgesehen geht es an diesem Tag vor allem um die Atmosphäre.Der Spiegel