(CNN) -- While foreign policy became an unexpected pivotal point in last week's town-hall style presidential debate, Monday's final showdown will focus entirely on international affairs. And with the U.S. government knee-deep in an investigation of its handling of the Benghazi consulate attacks and as reports emerge of planned negotiations with Iranian leaders, the topic could provide a pivot point in the tight race for the White House. "I think it's going to be an important debate," senior Obama campaign adviser David Axelrod said Sunday, though he sought to lower expectations. "I don't think any one event is decisive, even though being strong at home and building our economy is the No. 1 issue."
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President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney meet Monday night for their final debate
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Monday's final showdown will focus entirely on international affairs.
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Middle East expert says Obama needs to be "defining the Middle East strategy going forward"
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Romney faces the challenge of laying out specific policies without upsetting base
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