MAN OF THE MATCH AFTER ONLY FIVE MINUTES PLAY.

Barack Obama is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on the basis of his rhetoric. This is not to imply that his approach is not commendable, as the new boy on the block. Alternatively, he could be spinning for time, which indeed any new president might have done.

The world seems intent on turning such characters into a celebrity, in this case is it because of his part black ancestry? Plus, are the Swedes operating the award as a political tool?

The following is not offered as a criticism. We do, however, need to look at what the President appears to be saying overall. He seems to want to increase the US presence in Afghanistan, which hopefully could accelerate the conclusion to our involvement; it could be seen as a noble notion, although very tricky. The other area of his foreign policy is his concern over Iran, this is not necessarily regarding the Iranian people but their trouble making President. Obama is obviously quite right in wanting to keep tabs on their nuclear progress. He, unfortunately, gets little support from the rest of the world; the EU purports to have muscle but acts like a kitten, making limited half-hearted statements. All in all he has an uphill battle.

At this stage, is the Nobel prize for Obama any better than Gordon Brown receiving a World Statesman of the year award. It really is almost laughable.

WE CAN ONLY JUDGE WHEN THE FINAL WHISTLE BLOWS.