well, this isn't just like Empire Earth if you ask me. It's Empire Earth done by one of the few teams that can pull it off. Given BHG's background with Sid Meier in the Civ games (and Gettysburg!), and the teams own experience with Colonization, Civ 2, and Alpha Centauri, I bet they've actually been able to bring some of the turn-based concepts into the real-time strategy game without losing the fun.
As for the game being too military based, most RTS games are when it gets down to it. I imagine that RoN will be the same way. I'd love to see an RTS that allowed for a number of peaceful victories, but I'm patient.
I was really excited about Empire Earth, but while Rick Goodman makes some amazing RTS games, he hasn't the experience with turn-based games, Rise of Nations comes from a team with some experience in both, but mostly drawn from turn-based classics.
I'm willing to bet that Empire Earth fills the hole that Empire Earth left.