The Taoiseach may currently be as popular as a rainy day in August in Ireland, but Brian Cowen has found a more appreciative audience abroad in the shape of Newsweek magazine.
In an article entitled "Go to the top of the class", the influential publication ranks him among 10 top world leaders, alongside other political luminaries such as Chinese premier Wen Jiabao, France's Nicolas Sarkozy, and British prime minister David Cameron.
The magazine identifies Mr Cowen as a number of leaders who have managed to win respect, despite the fact Ireland is not far behind Greece on the list of Europe's "big-time losers".
Newsweek says the Taoiseach, labelled a "the fiscal taskmaster", and his "able finance minister" have introduced austerity packages that are "drastic enough to win the admiration of the international community".
However, Newsweek notes the Irish are an ungracious lot, with the Taoiseach's ratings slumping to just 18 per cent and Fianna Fáil set to receive a mauling in the next general election.
Despite this, the magazine holds out some hope Government steps will bear fruit in the long term, citing modest economic growth in the first quarter and survey evidence that consumer confidence is on the rise.
The theme of political prophets unable to find honour in their own countries extends beyond Mr Cowen to France, where Newsweek bestows President Sarkozy with the "loved-abroad-hated-at-home" title, with a cabinet plagued by "intramural sniping and scandals".
Mr Cameron is identified as the ambitious newcomer, whose "calm managerial style" has impressed heads of state "even in the European Union, normally tricky territory for a British Conservative".
Elsewhere, Maldives president Mohamed Nasheed is identified as a hero among environmentalists for highlighting the issue of climate change as rising sea levels threaten his nation, while China's Wen Jiabao is praised for working to reduce the country's rich-poor gap.
"No wonder ordinary Chinese seem truly fond of 'Grandpa Wen'," Newsweek said.
:quality(70)/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/irishtimes/ecd01409-5dd7-4da4-8b87-7498c96c409d.png)