Dick Cheney, powerful former US Vice President who led Iraq war, dies at 84

Post by : Sameer Saifi

Former US Vice President Dick Cheney, who played a major role in the 2003 Iraq War and was seen as one of the most powerful vice presidents in American history, has died at the age of 84. His family announced that he passed away on Monday night due to complications from pneumonia and heart disease.

Dick Cheney was a key political figure for decades. He served as vice president under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009 and was known for his strong views on national security and the power of the presidency. Before that, he worked as a Wyoming congressman and served as Secretary of Defense under President George H.W. Bush during the 1991 Gulf War.

Cheney was a leading voice in pushing for the US invasion of Iraq in 2003. He warned that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction, but none were found after the war. His decisions and policies during that period shaped global politics for years and remain deeply debated today. He believed the war was the right choice, even later in life, saying it helped remove a dangerous dictator, Saddam Hussein, from power.

During his time in the Bush administration, Cheney became known for his influence behind the scenes. He built a strong national security team and often guided major White House decisions. He supported using harsh interrogation methods, such as waterboarding, on terror suspects — a practice that many human rights groups and international organizations later called torture.

Cheney’s relationship with other top officials was not always smooth. He often clashed with Secretaries of State Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice over Iraq and other issues. Despite controversy, he stood by his beliefs and defended the decisions made under his watch.

He was also a family man. His daughter, Liz Cheney, followed in his political footsteps, serving as a Republican congresswoman. She became known for opposing former President Donald Trump after the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol. Her father supported her stand, saying he would vote for Democrat Kamala Harris rather than Trump in 2024.

Dick Cheney’s health had been fragile for much of his life. He suffered several heart attacks, beginning at age 37, and received a heart transplant in 2012. Despite his health struggles, he remained active in politics and public life until his later years.

Born on January 30, 1941, in Lincoln, Nebraska, Cheney was raised in a middle-class family. He studied at Yale University but later dropped out. He returned to Wyoming and completed his studies at the University of Wyoming, earning degrees in political science. He began his career working on power lines before moving into government service, eventually rising to the highest levels of US leadership.

Cheney was also known for his ties to the oil industry. Before becoming vice president, he served as CEO of Halliburton, an energy company that later received large government contracts during the Iraq War. This connection brought criticism from opponents who accused him of benefiting from the conflict.

Throughout his life, Cheney remained a strong believer in American power and a firm defender of conservative values. Even his critics admitted that his discipline, intelligence, and ability to shape policy made him one of the most influential figures in recent US history.

For many Americans, Cheney’s legacy is mixed. Some remember him as a tough leader who stood firm during difficult times after the 9/11 attacks. Others see him as a symbol of the mistakes made during the Iraq War and the expansion of government authority.

In his memoir In My Time, Cheney reflected on his long career and his belief in strong leadership. “It is easy to make decisions when you believe you are right,” he wrote. “History will decide whether we were.”

Dick Cheney’s influence on American politics and global affairs will be remembered for generations. He leaves behind his wife, Lynne, and two daughters, Liz and Mary.

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