I was wondering how the 10-nation WEU alliance was going to pull if off. Now we know. Under the EU's new constitution, in cases of "key national interest," the member states will be able to revert back to the weighted voting system provided by the Nice Treaty Read about it here. In other words, Javier Solana's 10 nation alliance will still be in control.

You see, under the weighted voting system provided by the Nice Treaty, each EU member state is given a fixed number of votes. And when the votes are all added up, the 10 nations in Solana's military alliance will still have the majority vote in the Council even after the 10 new member states arrive in May.

But, that's not all. According to this report, Solana has paid a visit to Washington and is offering his help in implementing Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's Gaza pull-out plan.

Don't think these events are unrelated. If you recall, I believe a deal may have already been cut. America gets EU backing for international support in Iraq, provided the EU can have a part in solving the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. That's what I think we're now seeing.

As you know, Washington suddenly did an about face and agreed to let the UN take control of the Iraqi interim government on June 30. And, Solana just paid a visit to Washington and announced the EU's willingness to not only help implement the Gaza pull-out plan, but to help stabilize Gaza. Solana said:

We would like to get the European Union engaged in the withdrawal from Gaza and the future stability of Gaza Read about it here.

Does this mean Solana wants to send EU forces into Gaza after the Israeli forces withdraw? I think it may. Like I said, I think a deal may have already been made. The EU helps the US, if the US helps the EU. And if you recall, the road map the EU and the international community is pushing calls for a Palestinian state to be up and running in 2005.

Here's what I think: While we Christians have been busy arguing over issues like the timing of the rapture and whether we can loose our salvation, real-time events have been occurring that are mostly going unnoticed and unreported. And if these events are what I think they are, they make most of the issues we fight over completely irrelevant.

Friends, it's time to get serious.