In an interview with TIME, Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) said opportunities to negotiate with the Taliban should be “explored.”

The Democratic ticket met with its Senior Working Group on National Security on Wednesday. The group includes former Navy Secretary Richard Danzig, former UN Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, and former Sen. Sam Nunn, among others. At the event, Obama discussed his views on Afghanistan and Iraq.

The New York Times examines how the presidential candidates’ personal histories have shaped each of their views on the use of U.S. power.