WASHINGTON (AP) — Mitt Romney is moderating his position on issues like ending the Afghanistan war and averting conflict in Iran. He's hoping to neutralize one of President Barack Obama's strengths with the election two weeks away.

For the Massachusetts governor, it is a move toward the political center with potential pitfalls.

By abandoning some of his sharp criticisms of Obama, Romney risks upsetting conservatives and reinforcing the president's allegation that his positions lack conviction.

But during Monday's foreign policy debate, he was seeking to appear sober and serious, a plausible commander in chief, by not engaging in saber-rattling for political points.

Romney aides say both the tone and substance of his arguments were intentional.