A group formed this year by executives and lobbyists for the defense contracting industry is taking credit for "driving the national debate on foreign policy during the 2016 presidential election," and in particular for getting Republican presidential candidates to call for escalating military action in Syria.

In an email to supporters over the weekend, Mike Rogers, the founder of Americans for Peace, Prosperity, and Security, hailed the group for "pushing candidates on national security."

He illustrated the group's impact with "highlights from many of our Iowa, South Carolina, and New Hampshire forums showcasing the candidates' views on defeating ISIS."