Barack Obama’s speech at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin got off to an awkward start and went downhill from there. Like the prospective son-in-law in a Hollywood comedy, the US president invited his hosts to make themselves at home in their own house. “It’s so warm and I feel so good that I’m actually going to take off my jacket,” he began, “and anybody else who wants to, feel free to.” He addressed the crowd as “Berlin”, like a rock star. In the US this would have been informal. Abroad it was uncouth. Mr Obama is confused about what is appropriate for a domestic audience and what for a foreign one. That is because, strange to say, he is confused about his role.
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