Not long ago we students of Bible prophecy were wondering how the Middle East peace process would shift from the US to the EU. It looks like now we know. In fact, not that long ago we were still wondering about a whole lot of things, about which now we know.

This morning President George Bush held a press conference where he informed the American people about his new strategies for dealing with the increasing violence in Iraqi. Bush said that America's vital interests are at stake. He also said America is in for a tough fight and that victory wouldn't be easy. In other words, Bush told the American people -- and the world -- that America had a job to finish and would be tied up for awhile.    

In Brussels the President's words won't go unnoticed. As far as their Mediterranean goals are concerned, it's now or never. In the Middle East arena, America has been the EU's single biggest obstacle. Now, at least for the next few years, America will be occupied elsewhere.

And, for the first time since deploying his peacekeeping forces into southern Lebanon, Javier Solana is paying a visit to the Middle East's key leaders Read about it here. Solana will be following up on recent work done by his former personal representative to the region, Miguel Angel Moratinos. Seizing the opportunity, Moratinos has begun calling for scrapping American's unsuccessful Road Map peace plan and starting a new one -- the EU's peace plan Read about it here.

In the meantime, a familiar rumor is haunting the halls of Brussels. The last time there was a rumor that Solana was considering stepping down was when the EU heads were deciding who would become their first Foreign Minister -- Joschka Fischer or Javier Solana. And, if ever the EU heads needed their Foreign Minster, it's now Read about it here.

Now or never.