MSNBC Democratic Debate: Live Coverage

As Clinton and Sanders discuss U.S. military involvement in Afghanistan, it’s worth noting the death of 10-year-old Wasil Ahmad, who was assassinated by the Taliban just days ago. Ahmad battled the Taliban with other troops in a siege and was killed in retaliation. The debate over American troops pulling out entirely will challenge the next president to figure out how — and, frankly, whether — we as a nation have the power to protect Afghanis already battling extremists without being on the ground.

While Clinton might have an advantage when discussing national security, it’s not an issue at the top of Democratic voters’ minds. In the Iowa caucuses last week, just 6 percent of Democrats said terrorism was their most important issue, according to the entrance poll there. By contrast, 25 percent of Republicans did so.

Carl, not only is this not Sanders’s comfort zone — it’s playing directly to Clinton’s strengths. That same poll found that even though 54 percent of Americans disapproved of the way Obama is handling terrorism, and 57 percent disapproved of his handling of the Islamic State, she’s the most trusted presidential candidate on the issue. The closest second is Jeb Bush — in a one-on-one matchup, 46 percent trusted Clinton more, and 43 percent trusted Bush more.