Foreign media on debate: Clinton winner, but Trump not out

To summarize Tuesday's reaction by foreign media to the presidential debate: Clinton was the clear winner, and Trump didn't appear to have a plan. She was more prepared, confident and presidential. Yet he avoided making any serious gaffes and that counts as a form of victory for him.

In Israel, the Haaretz newspaper ran an opinion piece saying Clinton "overpowered Trump in a testy" exchange. Yet, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had no  comment, even though he had met with both candidates Sunday,  and they talked at length about Israel and the region.

World leaders and diplomats had little response to Monday night's matchup, but those who did mostly gave the victory to Clinton, while also recognizing that Trump will be hard to beat in the November election.

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"Trump didn’t have a plan. Neither for the U.S. nor for the big foreign policy challenges,” German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel told Bild newspaper. "Clinton convinced with competence and clarity. It was a clear victory for her."

German Chancellor Angela Merkel stayed quiet. So did British Prime Minister Theresa May's office.

Timothy Stanley, a columnist for the United Kingdom's conservative Daily Telegraph newspaper, said in "terms of reality TV, he (Trump) did well. He harassed, he shouted, he taunted, he talked over. And Clinton let him do it."

Stanley also noted that Trump failed to turn his performance into one that would attract female and non-white voters in sufficient numbers.

Spain's El Pais newspaper said neither candidate made a major error, but Clinton cornered Trump with "attacks on his racism and lack of preparation."

COVERAGE OF THE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE

• Analysis: Trump, Clinton came out swinging in fiercest presidential debate in modern times
• Race and gender draw sharp exchanges between Clinton, Trump
• Top takeaways from the opening Clinton-Trump debate
• Fact-checking the presidential debate between Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump

Russian President Vladimir Putin has praised Trump in the past, and Trump has spoken of his admiration for the strongman. Putin's support was nowhere to be seen after the debate.

In China, the foreign ministry reacted to Trump's claim that Beijing is not putting enough pressure on North Korea over its nuclear program by saying it was making "unremitting efforts" on all sides. In South Korea, the foreign ministry said it was monitoring the election but would not comment on any of the debates.

Meanwhile in Egypt, Mohamed Orabi, a diplomat and member of parliament, said the debate was "boring," according to the Sada Al-Balad news website.