Since his inauguration, Barack Obama has wasted no time in parading in front of the cameras, signing off on numerous laws within hours (or minutes depending on which oath was the ‘proper’ one) of having taken office. Although still in its very early stages, can we get a picture of whether or not his time in office will live up to all the expectation?

On foreign policy Obama has promised not to jeopardise ideals for victory in the battle against terrorism. To that end he has ordered the closing down, within a year, of the prison on Guantanamo Bay. This is indeed a good step, as it is widely agreed that the prison breaks both international law and standards of common decency as detainees are refused a trial in civil courts. This early positive step, however, highlights the fact that he can’t do it all on his own.

Closing the Guantanamo prison will require other countries, including the UK, to take in former detainees. Governments of the world are unlikely to be jumping over themselves to take in detainees from Guantanamo, even if they are found innocent. In Afghanistan it has been very difficult for America to get other countries to commit to the extra troops that were needed, and at the moment there is no guarantee that other countries are going to rush to send in troops to a fragile and dangerous warzone. In his inauguration speech Obama made numerous references to reasserting America’s leading role on the world stage, but he only has a mandate from voters in his own country, and not from voters in others.

Change however is more of a possibility in this new age and Obama does have more support. Unlike Bush, he has massive popular support across the world - this can be just as powerful as an electoral mandate. Governments of the world will suffer massive unpopularity for not following the lead of a President who promises to bring massive change, even if that means going along with policies that won’t play well in the sticks. The success of the Obama Presidency therefore depends on how daring international leaders are willing to be in following his ‘change’ example.

I personally am looking forward to what happens on the environmental front especially. Obama has already repelled domestic policy, making it easier for individual states to set their own cuts in emissions. On the world stage he has appointed as Energy Secretary Stephen Chu, a scientist in favour of tough measures to prevent global warming. Both will be looking to make the replacement to the Kyoto agreement which ends this year more binding and far reaching with longer term cuts in emissions. This may be a popular decision in certain areas and especially among younger voters, but world leaders are concerned at the moment with the economy. It seems it would require a superhuman effort, or a shocking natural disaster, before the climate will make the headlines.

We have the leaders that we have, and can only do our bit here when a general election is called. Until then we simply have to hope that the change which Obama says is coming is not blocked by those stuck in the past or misdirected by those playing to the cameras. Instead a genuine helping hand is giving to solving some of the world’s most pressing issues.