Will national security dominate the 2016 race?

By Jacqueline Klimas, Jacqueline Klimas

Published December 20, 2015

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The vast majority of Americans believe a terrorist attack on the United States in the near future is likely, prompting the 2016 presidential conversation to turn to foreign policy as candidates put out their plans to defeat the Islamic State.

While attacks in France and Mali could give a short-term boost to those with experience in elected office, analysts say it's unclear if the heightened concern about national security among voters will continue for nearly a year until Election Day.

Analysts agreed that, while the attacks have "drastically altered" the focus of campaigning, it would likely take something like repeated attacks on the West or an attack on the U.S. homeland to shift the focus to foreign policy for the rest of the election cycle.