In contrast to cross-border expeditions which are of relatively frequent occurrence, some governments occasionally sanction military intervention in distant countries for special purposes, usually of brief duration.
Recent examples include the air attack by Israel against a nuclear reactor in Iraq, the intervention by Israel at Entebbe airport in response to aircraft hijacking, the air attack by the USA against Libya, the USA intervention in Iran in an attempt to release hostages, and the USA intervention in Grenada and in Panama. Other possible examples include UK intervention in the Falklands/Malvinas and the attack by France on the Rainbow Warrior in New Zealand.