One example comes from the 2011 military operation over Libya, in which non-NATO Sweden took an important role.

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He may have taken notice of the hostility towards the Libya operation shown by the candidates in the New Hampshire debate.

BBC: Boehner warning to Obama over Libya mission

They have the legal authority to cut off funding for the Libya operation, and the defense bill is coming up in a couple weeks.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing

These are five Global Hawk drones that provide the kind of surveillance capability that we saw in the Libya operation was so vital to the effective operation of our military.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing on NATO Defense Capabilities

One of those deployments was with USS America (CV 66), supporting the 1986 Operation Eldorado Canyon strikes in Libya.

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In fact, I went over the list of engagements that this administration has had with members of Congress on Libya, just Libya, since shortly before this operation began, and it numbers 40 -- 40 engagements of different types of briefings and consultations.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing

Presumably, any such decision would, like the U.S. intervention in Libya, be dressed up as a humanitarian operation.

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In Libya, do you believe more German military involvement in that operation would bring it to a faster, more decisive conclusion?

WHITEHOUSE: President Obama and Chancellor Merkel Press Conference

The plans for closer military co-operation come after the UK and France worked together over the crisis in Libya last year.

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Italy has just apologised to Libya and paid reparations for colonialism (in exchange for energy deals and co-operation on migration).

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