"Key Highlights from the Republican Debate in Miami: Candidates, Expectations, and Potential Alternatives"

The third GOP presidential debate will take place in Miami tonight, featuring a smaller slate of candidates, including Nikki Haley, Ron DeSantis, Vivek Ramaswamy, Tim Scott, and Chris Christie. Former President Donald Trump, the party's frontrunner, will once again be absent from the debate and will hold a rally in Hialeah, Florida, instead. Haley is expected to be closely watched as a possible alternative to Trump, while the topic of Israel's response to the recent attack by Hamas is likely to be discussed. NBC News will host the debate, moderated by Lester Holt, Kristen Welker, and Hugh Hewitt.