One-time Second-in-Command Dick Cheney: A Look Back on His Impactful Time in Office

The deceased US VP Dick Cheney, who passed away at age 84, was seen as arguably the most influential holders of the vice-presidency in the nation's history. Whereas numerous vice-presidents had to settle for peripheral or figurehead roles, Cheney wielded enormous influence during the term of George W Bush, to such an extent that he was often described as the "true president".

Bush resented this portrayal and claimed the relationship was more nuanced. He observed that Cheney was respectful, invariably addressing him in public settings as Mr President, while he referred to him as Dick. Bush disputed even portrayals of their association as a collaboration because it suggested that they were on equal footing. Despite these denials, Cheney viewed the relaxed president accommodating on a wide array of administrative determinations.

The Aftermath of 9/11

Leading of a group of neo-conservatives that encompassed Pentagon chief Donald Rumsfeld and assistant defense secretary Paul Wolfowitz, he vigorously promoted the invasion of Iraq in 2003 in reaction to the terrorist strikes on New York and Washington. When of the 9/11 strike, Bush had been participating in a gathering at a elementary school in Florida. While Bush made his way to a secure location in Nebraska, Cheney took charge, directing the downing of any unidentified airplanes approaching the government building.

Cheney said the assaults transformed him, causing him to be determined on retribution. Along with other conservative figures, such as Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz, he lobbied for a invasion of Afghanistan in an endeavor to seize Osama bin Laden. Cheney then strongly advocated for the armed intervention of Iraq, although there was no evidence of Saddam Hussein playing a role.

Controversial Actions

He showed no remorse about the invasion, in which an estimated 100,000 Iraqis died, or about the enhanced interrogation of suspects apprehended after 9/11. He stated to CNN in 2015 that the Iraq military action, which was founded on misleading information repeated by Cheney, was the right path to take. "It represented the right thing to do at that time. I believed it then and I hold that view now."

But even at the time, there were opposing views at a top tier about the mishandling of Iraq. One of the White House's own special envoys to the region, General Anthony Zinni (2001-03), was not reappointed from the role. "I observed, at the very least," he subsequently stated "obvious failure, carelessness, and irresponsibility: potentially, falsehoods, incompetence, and dishonesty."

Broader Context

Cheney was not solely responsible for the Iraq military action. Even before 9/11, Wolfowitz had pushed for comparable steps. He had composed a memorandum setting out situations in which US concerns might be threatened (featuring "availability of essential resources, mostly Persian Gulf oil"). Wolfowitz had argued that "the US should be prepared to operate alone when collective action cannot be arranged," specifically referencing military moves against Iraq.

Bush also had assumed the White House vaguely intent on carrying out what his predecessor had famously refused to do in 1991; topple Saddam. Following he had been sacked by the administration, the treasury secretary Paul O'Neill recounted how, at the opening session of the National Security Council in January 2001, Bush had declared his intention of diminishing America's engagement in the Middle East dispute and mooted defense operations against Iraq.

Bush carried a personal grudge against Saddam, thinking he had been behind a scheme to assassinate his parent, President George HW Bush, on a visit to Kuwait in 1993. He additionally objected to that one of the most prominent hotels in Baghdad had a ground design with a image of his predecessor's face that all visitors had to tread upon.

Investigation Approaches

However it was Cheney who was among the most vehement advocating striking Iraq, repeatedly referencing information documents that were whether thin or totally deceptive. He supported what the Bush government indirectly described as "enhanced interrogation", the application of simulated drowning and torture.

Responding to a Senate report in 2014 that concluded that no useful information had come from the harsh techniques, Cheney disregarded the findings as "full of crap". He stated to Fox News: "We instructed [the CIA] to implement measures and establish procedures to catch the individuals who took the lives of 3,000 of us on 9/11 and guarantee it would not recur. That was specifically what they did and they merit a lot of recognition."

Public Persona

Cheney took pleasure in monikers given to him by detractors such as the Star Wars villain and the dark figure, and by the notion that he was a shadow power manipulating Bush. In the journalist's 2013 book about the two, Days of Fire: Bush and Cheney in the White House, Cheney is reported as stating: "Is it me who is the evil genius in the shadows that operates invisibly emerge from his hole? This represents a effective way to work, truthfully."

Corporate Connections

Debate over his corporate affiliations followed him through his period as vice-president. Even though he had little experience in commerce but strong connections in defence, notably in Saudi Arabia, he was invited to join Halliburton, one of the world's biggest oil and gas conglomerates, in 1995 as chair and chief executive.

In 2000 he was selected as Bush's election partner for the White House. Debatably, during the conflict in Iraq, Halliburton was awarded US agreements worth billions.

It significantly boosted his finances. His yearly compensation during his time at the corporation increased from his $258,394 during his time as defence secretary to over four million. When he left in 2000 he had a compensation package worth more than $20m|twenty