The Bush Administration's missile plan isn't what has Russia's Vladimir Putin concerned. It's something far more threatening. You see, when the Western leaders set out to make NATO the security arm for their new, post Cold War order, there wasn't much Russia could do. But, until recently, that situation was changing.

While the Atlantic Alliance nations were busy constructing their pan-European security empire, Russia was busy turning her vast supplies of natural energy into a weapon. And, about the time Russia believed her energy weapon was about to begin paying off, under the leadership of Germany's new Chancellor Angela Merkel, the European Union -- Russia's biggest energy partner -- turned Russia a cold shoulder Read about it here  I  And here. Naturally, the Russian bear isn't too happy.

That's why the Mediterranean Basin has become so important. No longer trusting their Russian partner, the Europeans have turned to their old trans-Atlantic partner -- America -- for help in securing the energy resources of the Middle East.

Friends, the events that I'm describing are right out of the late John Walvoord's book, Armageddon, Oil and the Middle East Crisis. The entire end-time scenario may be before us. Armageddon may not be far away. I believe China, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, the many Arab states, the African countries -- all surrounding nations -- are now preparing for the coming conflagration. And, of course Russia.

We have an unhappy bear.