Cold Resolve

The Likud called him the "Iceberg," branding him a cold, unemotional, insensitive, out of touch with reality aristocrat. (The word they used was קרחון (=iceberg), which I thought was taking a shot at his infamous Giuliani style baldness/comb-over; but apparently it has nothing to do with baldness, and everything to do with frigidity.)
Though throughout this days-long conflict he has appeared rarely in public (probably heeding the advice of his security personnel), Olmert has displayed a steadfast resolve (=נחישות) and appears to be doing his job quite well despite his lack of an extensive (Sharon-style) military background. The criticism has been leveled mostly at Amir Peretz, the freshman defense minister who appears to be an incompetent puppet, taking advice from his advisors rather than drafting pro-active plans himself, and Dan Halutz, the Chief of Staff, who has been widely criticized for his "blue-ing" of the armed forces; i.e., his unwillingness to commit ground troops, because his air-force background completely guides his ideal of military operations.
Olmert probably wishes that Ariel Sharon, who already has extensive experience fighting in Lebanon, was still around, even if only in an advisory capacity. But, given the circumstances, Olmert should be commended for his cold, quiet resolve. Here is a recent photo of the PM, keeping up with his work even while on his helicopter.