U.S.officials say they are in a better position to mediate and press for the resolution of difficult issues, and to ease tensions between the Iraqi Army and the Kurdish Peshmerga militia, while the United States has a sizable military force in Iraq.

VOA: standard.2009.12.11

The issues must be treated carefully, or they will be difficult and painful if an elected official has to deal with them.

VOA: special.2009.12.06

National issues presented President Pierce with more difficult decisions.

VOA: special.2009.04.23