On Thursday,the number two U.S.commander in Iraq, Lieutenant General Charles Jacoby, said the improved cooperation between Prime Minister Maliki and President Barzani has led to reduced tension between the Iraqi Army and the Kurdish Peshmerga force.

VOA: standard.2009.12.12

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 Kurds would remain autonomous in their northern redoubt, retaining control over their peshmerga militias.

ECONOMIST: Parliament dithers on

The peshmerga liberated Kirkuk and are reported to have taken part in the wave of post-war looting.

ECONOMIST: Ethnic rivalry in Iraq's relatively peaceful north

The bombed houses outside Mosul were under the protection of the armed Kurdish fighters of the peshmerga.

ECONOMIST: Security in Iraq