Republican presidential challenger Mitt Romney is accusing President Barack Obama of failing to stand up to China, Russia and Iran, in a rebuke of the president's foreign policy record.

Romney spoke Tuesday to an annual convention of American war veterans, in his first foreign policy speech as the presumptive Republican nominee. He also accused Mr. Obama of not being supportive enough of Israel.

The Republican candidate said he will not surrender America's leadership in the world, and he called for “clarity in our purpose and resolve in our might.” He ripped the Obama administration for proposed cuts in military spending, and he called for an independent probe into claims the White House leaked sensitive national security information for the president's political gain.

The Romney address came one day after Mr. Obama touted his record in ending U.S. military involvement in Iraq and winding down the U.S. combat role in Afghanistan. The president also cited a string of successes in the U.S. push against al-Qaida.

A Rasmussen poll released Sunday shows Romney leading the president 59-to-35 percent among those who have served in the military.

But a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll released Monday shows Americans favor the president over Romney on foreign policy by a 52-to-40 percent margin. The numbers are closer among registered voters, who give Mr. Obama a 4-point advantage.