The world outside the U.S. figured prominently in the third and final presidential debate between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. Here's a brief look at the countries there were up for discussion:

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IRAQ/SYRIA

Hillary Clinton says she's "encouraged" by the Iraqi-led offensive to retake the city of Mosul.

Donald Trump says it's only an issue because the Obama administration — and Clinton while at the State Department — pulled troops from Iraq in the first place.

U.S. troops left Iraq at the demand of the Iraqi government at the time after Baghdad refused to sign a status of forces agreement to keep them there.

Clinton outlined her military plan to take out the Islamic State group. She said coalition forces should push the fight into the group's Syrian headquarters in Raqqa after Mosul is retaken.

Trump has not detailed his plan and said, "what ever happened to the element of surprise?"

Iraqi officials say they wanted residents of Mosul to prepare for the offensive to retake Mosul and have urged them not to flee.

Donald Trump asserted that U.S. involvement in Aleppo, Syria, is not worthwhile.

Trump says Aleppo is a "humanitarian nightmare" but suggests that keeping Assad in power may be better than replacing him, because Assad and Russia both oppose the Islamic State group.

Trump says the United States would be in better shape if it had "done nothing" in Syria.

The United States has protested Russia's bombardment of Aleppo and Syrian actions against the opposition, but it has also engaged in ceasefire talks with Russia and other regional powers and has Special Forces on the ground in northern Syria. It has also backed down from its demand that Assad immediately step down.

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JAPAN/KOREAN PENINSULA

Clinton said Trump has been "cavalier, even casual" about the use of nuclear weapons, and the idea that it would be acceptable for U.S. allies such as Japan and South Korea to acquire them on their own. "Nuclear competition in Asia, you said, you know, 'Go ahead. Enjoy yourselves, folks,'" she said.

Trump responded, "All I said is we have to renegotiate" defense agreements with other countries that the U.S. can no longer afford. "When I said Japan and Germany and ... South Korea, these are very rich, powerful countries. Saudi Arabia, nothing but money. We protect Saudi Arabia. Why aren't they paying?"

Seoul says it paid $851 million last year to the United States, which was reportedly about half of what it costs to maintain U.S. troops in South Korea. Japan pays $1.8 billion a year and hosts about 50,000 U.S. troops.

South Korea's pursuit of its own nuclear weapons has been raised by some conservative lawmakers, but many South Koreans believe such a move would have unacceptably dire consequences in its relationships with both Washington and Beijing.

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MEXICO

At a Mexico City barbecue restaurant that could have dropped out of Austin, Texas, an assortment of Mexicans and expats guffawed at Donald Trump's call to expel "bad hombres" and toasted each time he or Hillary Clinton said "Mexico."

About 200 people gathered Wednesday night to watch the final U.S. presidential debate. There was fun in collective viewing — complete with bingo cards with things said by the candidates. But there was also genuine interest from Mexicans who have watched their currency swing in recent weeks with the polls.

Alejandra Cardenas, a video director from Mexico City, says Mexico's economy is clearly tied to the U.S. and that's why so many Mexicans are there watching the debate closely. She says Mexico will be among the countries most affected.

Trump is widely unpopular among Mexicans due to his disparaging remarks about immigrants and his repeated vows to build a border wall and make their country pay for it.

 
• hillary clinton
 
• donald trump
 
• final presidential debate