It appears the United States is having second thoughts about letting Javier Solana's forces take over NATO's peace keeping operations in Bosnia (Read about it here).

You would think, with American forces spread dangerously thin and possible new conflicts looming -- such as with North Korea and Iran -- the Bush administration would jump at the chance to pull American troops out of Bosnia. But, that's not the case. America isn't wanting to get out of Bosnia and let the European Union in. Why? 

According to the news story, it's because the Iraqi war revealed differences between America and the EU over how to wage the war against terror. However, I suspect something else may be going on here. I think certain people in the Bush administration may be concerned about the EU's true motives for wanting to take over the Bosnia mission.

 Unlike the prior Clinton administration who appeared to do everything they could to help establish the EU's new 10-nation military wing, the Bush White House has seemed to do everything it can to interfere with it. For example, when the anti-American factions within Solana's 10-nation alliance were attempting to forge a "hard core" defense group outside NATO command, the Bush administration reacted by forging a larger pro-American group of European nations to oppose the scheme. And, three of these pro-American nations -- Britain, Spain and Portugal -- were also members of Solana's 10-nation military alliance.

This is what I think: I think the stage may be set for the rider on the white horse to appear. In the New Testament book of Revelation we read:

And I saw when the Lamb broke one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder, "Come." And I looked, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him: and he went out conquering, and to conquer (Revelation 6:1-2 New American Standard Bible). 

I agree with the commonly held view on this passage -- the rider on the white horse is the coming Antichrist. And, in light of Recommendation 666 and the EU's new 10-nation military wing, this brings us to an important question: Has that first seal already been broken? In other words, has the Antichrist already begun his campaign of conquering?

I say no. My reason for saying the first seal hasn't been broken yet is because of the parallel passages found in the Old Testament book of Daniel. These passages suggest to me the first seal won't be broken until after the Antichrist has appeared among his 10 kings, boasts great things and subdues three of the 10 kings (compare Daniel 7:8-11 to Revelation 5: 1-14, 6: 1-2).

However, since the 10-nations implemented their Recommendation 666 -- I believe the stage may now be set in Europe for all these events to occur.

Stay ready!