As far as the rise and fall of empires go, it's happening almost over night. The American empire is declining, and Javier Solana's empire is rising.

I don't have it at my finger tips, but I once posted an article where Solana was referred to as an empire builder. But, in light of Solana's recent actions and pronouncements, I don't think it necessary anymore to provide support. It's obvious by now to anybody who has been watching, Solana has been busy building his empire.

With the storm he created in the Middle East yet unabated Read about it here, Solana has gone to Rome to tell an important gathering of 140 Italian ambassadors that the EU needs to be able to act outsides its borders. Why? So, he says, the EU can protect her global interests and stand on an equal footing along side America in the war against terror Read about it here.

This brings us to what I think to be his strategy. I believe Solana envisons a joint venture between the world's two great Western super powers -- the EU and the US -- to establish his global empire. And, I suspect that's the real agenda behind the EU's recent agreement with the US to wage a joint war against terror.

You see, when that deal was made in June of 2003, it's was as if Solana was saying to Washington, "Together we can rule the world."

I wonder who else he could be saying that to?