However, Mr Clinton rejected criticism of Nato's air war to drive Yugoslav forces out of predominantly ethnic Albanian Kosovo.

BBC: Clinton: US failed Greek democracy

In 2003, then-French President Jacques Chirac opposed Mr. Bush's drive to war in Iraq, as did Mr. Obama, who at the time was a state senator from Illinois just beginning a long-shot U.S. Senate campaign.

WSJ: Libyan Raids Show Obama Doctrine in Action

In years to come, warns veteran oil analyst Matthew Simmons, to keep up supply the world will need to build new rigs at a rate not seen since the "Liberty Ship" drive of World War II.

FORBES: Rig Game