DES MOINES (AP) — Republican U.S. Senate challenger Christopher Reed is accusing fellow Navy veteran and Democrat Sen. Tom Harkin of aiding the enemy because of his call to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq on a scheduled timetable.

In a taped debate scheduled to air Thursday night on Iowa Public Television, Reed calls Harkin the “Tokyo Rose” of al-Qaida and Middle East terrorism.

The term refers to Japanese women who broadcast anti-American messages in English to U.S. troops during World War II.

Reed says he is not accusing Harkin of treason but says he is giving opposition forces “the playbook.”

After the debate, Harkin called Reed’s comments “beyond the pale,” and says Reed has lost his bearings.

The debate was sponsored by The Des Moines Register.