Most countries have agreed to drop restrictions if required to save the lives of NATO troops, he said.

Three European countries have proposed to their Western allies that they drop virtually all restrictions on exporting civilian telecommunications gear.

Membership would also require China to drop restrictions that force foreign investors there to export products they make in China.

That happened today on abortion, when Republicans agreed to drop restrictions for family planning groups that offer abortions or promote abortion rights.

As of November 2012, all but 8 EU countries have dropped restrictions entirely.

The new technology, in turn, has persuaded many governments to drop outdated restrictions, mainly on broadcasting.

The compromise also drops proposed restrictions on political action committees.

In the last few years, seven states have dropped or eased restrictions on voting by felons, according to the Sentencing Project, a group in Washington.

The United States and Germany have signed an agreement to drop restrictions on air travel between and within the two countries.

The group's report also recommended that private foundations and corporations consider dropping restrictions they might have on giving money to religious programs.