In the midst of the latest war to afflict the Middle East, it is easy to forget that Ehud Olmert, the man in charge on the Israeli side, has occupied the prime minister's chair for less than 100 days.

Having barely emerged from the shadow of his predecessor and mentor, Ariel Sharon, the 60-year-old career politician has already joined the slender ranks of world figures to whom everyone can put a name. Only Hizbollah's Hassan Nasrullah rivals him for overnight international fame.