Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush - son and brother of former presidents - this week criticized Democrat presidential contender Hillary Clinton for her tenure as secretary of state under US President Barack Obama's first term.

During his first foreign policy speech at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Bush said Clinton "stood by" as America's alleged victory in the Iraq war was "thrown away."

"ISIS grew while the United States disengaged from the Middle East and ignored the threat…Where was Secretary of State Clinton?" Bush said, referring to the extremist group.

Responding to his own question, Bush said Clinton "stood by as that hard-won victory by American and allied forces was thrown away," referring to the 2011 withdrawal of American forces from Iraq.

The question of Iraq

Contending for the Republican nomination for the 2016 presidential elections in the US, Bush has attempted to carve out a name for himself in the crowded field of 17 contenders vying for the conservative party's approval.

His campaign has proven difficult as many in the US remain war weary after his brother's - former President George W. Bush - invasion of Iraq in 2003. Meanwhile, controversial candidate and businessman Donald Trump remains the Republican frontrunner in polls.

"Who can seriously argue that America and our friends are safer today than in 2009, when the president and Secretary Clinton - storied 'team of rivals' - took office?" Bush asked the crowd of 1,000 supporters.

"So eager to be the history-makers, they failed to be the peacemakers," Bush said.

'Rewrite history'

Following the speech, the Clinton's senior policy adviser Jake Sullivan held a teleconference call for reporters to comment on Bush's statements.

"This is a pretty bold attempt to rewrite history and reassign responsibility," Sullivan told reporters by phone.

"President Bush signed an agreement that required us to be out by 2011."

ls/kms (Reuters, AP, dpa)