LEXINGTON, Va. (AP) - Mitt Romney says the risk of conflict in the Middle East has grown under President Barack Obama's leadership.
   
The Republican presidential contender is calling for a "change of course" in the region.
   
Romney assailed Obama's foreign policy in a speech Monday at the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Va. He had focused on the economy for much of the campaign is now seizing on foreign policy to help paint Obama as a weak leader who has limited America's influence on global affairs.
   
Romney is calling for the U.S. to take a more assertive role in Syria. He also wants new conditions on aid to Egypt and would impose tighter sanctions on Iran.
   
He says there is, quote, "a longing for American leadership in the Middle East."
   
Obama's campaign is dismissing the criticism, calling it an attempt to rewrite what they describe as Romney's record of foreign policy blunders.

Earlier story:

WASHINGTON (AP) - Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney says the U.S. should take a more assertive role in Syria, put conditions on aid to Egypt and tighten sanctions on Iran.
   
Romney plans to attack President Barack Obama's foreign policy when Romney addresses the Virginia Military Institute today.
   
In advance excerpts, Romney accuses Obama of "passivity" and says the U.S. should help arm rebels in Syria.
   
The Obama campaign says Romney has been "an unmitigated disaster on foreign policy every time he sticks his toe in the foreign policy waters."
   
A new Obama TV ad calls Romney "reckless" and "amateurish" on foreign policy questions.

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