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.