In less than two years from now, the LHC at CERN will start operating with
protons and later with heavy ions in the multi TeV energy range. With its
unique physics potential and a strong, state-of-the complement of detectors,
the LHC will provide the European, and in fact worldwide Nuclear Physics
community, with a forefront facility to study nuclear matter under extreme
conditions well into the next decade.Comment: Invited talk at the 'D. A. Bromley Memorial Symposium', Yale
University, USA, 8-9 December 2005; to be published in the proceedings; 6
pages, 4 figure