The Wall St. Journal reports that “few candidates emphasize their military experience more than Rep. Tom Cotton. The Republican Senate challenger peppers stump speeches with references to his stint in the Army. He tours the state in a camouflage-themed RV. A former drill sergeant appears in one of his 30-second TV spots.”  

“The 37-year-old first-term congressman also has become a leading advocate for increased U.S. involvement in the world. He was one of the few members of either party to back President Barack Obama ’s calls last year for airstrikes in Syria. Mr. Cotton for months has been warning against the dangers of the militant group Islamic State, before the beheading of two American journalists captured the country’s attention.”  

“Now, the Republican’s race against Democratic Sen. Mark Pryor will test whether voters anxious about national security, alongside a host of domestic issues, will embrace a more assertive foreign policy. Most polls have shown the Republican with a narrow but persistent lead over the incumbent.”