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Cheney was regarded as the most powerful Vice in modern history and the chief architect of the “war on terror” during the George W. Bush years. The former Republican, who played a central role in leading the nation into the ill-fated Iraq war based on faulty assumptions, passed away surrounded by family on Monday US-time. “His beloved wife of 61 years, Lynne, his daughters, Liz and Mary, and other family members were with him as he passed,” the family said, revealing that his death was caused by complications of pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease. “Dick Cheney was a great and good man who taught his children and grandchildren to love our country, and to live lives of courage, honour, love, kindness, and fly fishing,” the statement continued. “We are grateful beyond measure for all Dick Cheney did for our country. And we are blessed beyond measure to have loved and been loved by this noble giant of a man.” Cheney was one of the most consequential and controversial figures in modern American politics. Born in Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1941, he rose from modest beginnings in Wyoming to become a dominant force in Washington. After earning degrees from the University of Wyoming, Cheney began his political career as an aide in the Nixon and Ford administrations, eventually serving as White House Chief of Staff under President Gerald Ford. In the 1980s, Cheney served in Congress as a Republican representative from Wyoming, where he became known for his conservative views and expertise on defence policy. His influence grew further when President George H.W. Bush appointed him Secretary of Defense in 1989. Cheney oversaw the US military during the Persian Gulf War, earning praise for the swift victory in Kuwait and for reshaping America’s post–Cold War defense strategy. After leaving government, Cheney entered the private sector as CEO of Halliburton, a major energy and defence contractor. His influence there would later attract scrutiny due to the company’s government contracts during the Iraq War. As vice president, Cheney was a driving force behind the administration’s response to the September 11 attacks. He helped piece together the “war on terror,” advocated for the invasion of Iraq based on flawed intelligence about weapons of mass destruction, and pushed for expanded executive power, surveillance, and controversial interrogation techniques. His influence extended deeply into national security, foreign policy, and the use of military force abroad. More to come.
