New Mexico and the U.S military are inextricably linked. The first atomic bomb test in history took place in that state, back in 1945. John McCain country you might think. But not all ex-servicemen are supporting the Republicans, this time around, in one of the most fought-after battleground states.

Albuquerque, the state’s biggest town, is home to many ex-soldiers and native Americans. Among them, Navajo Indians who saved thousands of American lives in the Second World War by scrambling tactical information into their native tongue to outwit Japanese code breakers.

In their ranks, undecided voters like Alfred think the Republicans have mishandled Iraq and Afghanistan: “I support it but they're doing it the wrong way. Why don't they send enough forces to cover that country and get rid of all the insurgents running around up there. “

“The next president should see to it that we end the war one way or the other. Because if this goes on and on you are encouraging the Muslim nation. They’re sending insurgents over there. It's just like happened in Vietnam.”

The war these Navajos fought in ended a long time ago, but the battle for their vote will intensify in the weeks to come.