Will 2016 Be a Foreign Policy Election?

Foreign policy is continuing to take center-stage this week after the Paris attacks, with John Kasich revealing his foreign policy plans—including the creation of an agency to promote Judeo-Christian values—in a speech Tuesday. Meanwhile, Jeb Bush will lay out his vision for taking on ISIS and reforming the military in South Carolina Wednesday, arguing that the attacks highlight the need for a competent leader. “We are choosing the leader of the free world,” he will say. “And if these attacks remind us of anything, it is that we are living in serious times that require serious leadership.” Ben Carson‘s own aides are questioning his grasp of foreign policy after several high profile stumbles, but his campaign is now throwing one adviser under the bus.

President Obama took a sharp swing at Republicans over their opposition to taking in new Syrian refugees early Wednesday, suggesting that the argument from some to prioritize Christian refugees would become a potent recruiting tool for ISIS. The comments reflects shift in presidential rhetoric after attacks, as his administration fires back at critics—with the tone set at the top. Hillary Clinton, under fire for failing articulate a plan to defeat ISIS during Saturday’s debate, will offer her agenda Thursday in a speech in New York, her campaign said—the same day Bernie Sanders delivers a speech on Democratic socialism.

And then there were 13: Bobby Jindal quit the presidential race Tuesday amid anemic fundraising and persistently low poll numbers. His decision to step aside is a boon to Ted Cruz, eliminating some competition for the Texas senator among Iowa’s conservatives and evangelicals.

What John Kerry said about the Charlie Hebdo attacks. Why child care may get more attention in 2016. And Bush’s tortured metaphor.

Here are your must-reads:

Must Reads

President Obama Attacks Republicans For Paris Response
The attacks have exposed divisions in the U.S. [TIME]

Why More Airstrikes Won’t Beat ISIS
There aren’t a lot of alternatives, TIME”s Mark Thompson explains

This Is How the Syrian Refugee Screening Process Works
TIME’s Alex Altman explains the vetting process

Jeb Bush Splits With Republicans Over Syrian Refugees
Bush hits rivals for inconsistency [Bloomberg]

Why Child Care May Get More Attention in 2016
TIME’s Haley Sweetland Edwards explains why it’s not just a “women’s issue” anymore

Ben Carson Is Struggling to Grasp Foreign Policy, Advisers Say
Aides criticize candidate’s lack of knowledge [New York Times]

Sound Off

“There’s something different about what happened from Charlie Hebdo, and I think everybody would feel that. There was a sort of particularized focus and perhaps even a legitimacy in terms of – not a legitimacy, but a rationale that you could attach yourself to somehow and say, ‘Okay, they’re really angry because of this and that.’ This Friday was absolutely indiscriminate.” — Secretary of State John Kerry in remarks at the U.S. Embassy in Paris

“First, they were worried about the press being too tough on them during debates. Now they’re worried about three-year-old orphans. That doesn’t sound very tough to me.” — President Obama hits Republicans on the conversations surrounding Syrian refugees

Bits and Bites

Bobby Jindal Quits Presidential Race [TIME]

Bernie Sanders to Deliver Much-Awaited Speech on Democratic Socialism Thursday [Washington Post]

Attorney General Says There’s No Data to Support ‘Ferguson Effect’ [TIME]

Democrats Propose Social Security Change to Help Single Women [TIME]

Kasich Proposes New Government Agency to Promote Judeo-Christian Values [NBC]

A Senate Candidate Is Trailed by a Tree [Twitter]

Carson Camp: New York Times Took Advantage of ‘Elderly Gentleman’ [Politico]

Pro-Cruz Super PAC hits Rubio Hard on Immigration [Washington Post]

Bill Clinton Plans 20 Fundraisers in Next Month [Politico]

Jeb Bush Brings a Crab to a Frog Metaphor [New York Times]