Up next
Author
Share this @internewscast.com
FacebookXRedditPinterest
Dick Cheney, who became one of the most powerful vice presidents in US history as George W. Bush’s number two during 9/11 and catastrophic wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, died Monday. He was 84.
Cheney forged an influential role in the traditionally inconsequential job and was a major power behind the throne as Bush thrust America into the so-called war on terror, with a dark underbelly of renditions, torture and the Guantanamo prison site.
A hate figure to many on the left, he made a remarkable pivot toward the end of his life, opposing Donald Trump’s ultimately successful campaign to return to the White House in 2024.
Cheney’s daughter Liz Cheney, a former congresswoman from Wyoming, said her deeply Republican father had voted for Trump’s Democratic opponent Kamala Harris.

Former congressman and defense secretary Dick Cheney passed away at the age of 84 due to complications from pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease, as confirmed by his family.

As 46th vice president, Cheney served for two terms between 2001 and 2009.
The job is often frustrating for ambitious politicians, but Cheney’s Machiavellian skills gave him considerable sway.
He helped usher in an aggressive notion of executive power, believing the president should be able to operate almost unfettered by politicians or the courts, particularly during wartime.

Cheney’s influence was pivotal during the presidency of George W. Bush, leading to prolonged military engagements in Afghanistan and Iraq and sparking widespread debate over his impact on civil liberties.

Bush on Tuesday hailed his former vice president as “among the finest public servants of his generation” and “the one I needed” when in the White House.

Cheney was “a patriot who brought integrity, high intelligence and seriousness of purpose to every position he held”.

Neo-conservative ideology

Born in Lincoln, Nebraska, on 30 January 1941, Cheney grew up mostly in the sparsely populated western state of Wyoming.
He attended Yale University but dropped out of the prestigious institution and ended up earning a degree in political science back home at the University of Wyoming.
He spent 10 years in congress as a representative for Wyoming before being appointed defence secretary by George H.W. Bush in 1989.

Cheney presided over the Pentagon during the 1990-91 Gulf War, in which a US-led coalition evicted Iraqi troops from Kuwait.

Man stands on a tank in front of group of soldiers

Dick Cheney predicted US forces would be “greeted as liberators” in Iraq. Source: AAP / James Kudla / Sipa USA

As vice president, Cheney brought his neo-conservative ideology to the White House and played a greater role in making major policy decisions than many of his predecessors in the role.

Cheney was one of the driving forces behind the decision to invade Iraq following the 11 September 2001 attacks by Al-Qaeda on New York and Washington.

His inaccurate claims that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction fuelled the drumbeat for war ahead of the 2003 US invasion.

Seen as Bush’s mentor on foreign policy, Cheney remained loyal to his former boss and was a staunch defender of Bush-era policies.
In a 2015 interview, Cheney said he had no regrets over the 2003 invasion of Iraq, and credited a so-called “enhanced interrogation program” for the capture of 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden in 2011 during Barack Obama’s presidency.
Share this @internewscast.com
FacebookXRedditPinterest
You May Also Like
Erin Patterson

Uncovered Documents Shed Light on Erin Patterson’s Defense Strategy for Murder Charges

Mushroom murderer Erin Patterson is challenging her conviction on seven grounds, taking…
Queensland drivers were given the option to renew their licences online as opposed to in-person at a transport department service centre.

Technical Issue Permits Thousands to Renew Digital Licenses Without Medical Evaluations

A significant issue has emerged within Queensland’s digital licence renewal system, raising…
Cargo plane crashes at US Louisville airport, sparking huge fireball

Aircraft Incident at US Airport Ignites Massive Fireball

A United Parcel Service (UPS) cargo plane, a MD-11 model, tragically crashed…
Corporate watchdog warns $200 billion Aussie industry to lift its game

Australian Corporate Watchdog Urges $200 Billion Industry to Enhance Standards for Sustainable Growth

Australia’s expanding private credit sector faces increased scrutiny today as the nation’s…

New York City Votes: Mamdani Leads in Exciting Mayoral Race

Polls have opened in New York’s mayoral election as voters cast judgement…
South Australians wanting to buy property wouldn't have to pay stamp duty under an ambitious plan announced by the state opposition today.

Revolutionary Tax Overhaul: One State’s Bold Move to Eliminate Unpopular Levies

In a bold move, South Australia’s opposition party has unveiled a plan…
A player was in a wheelchair with a mock-up of a communication system that had doctored images of a fake pornographic website on it as part of the Osborne Park Football Club's "Silly Sunday" celebrations at Robinson Reserve in August.

Football Team Faces Two-Year Suspension Following Costume Controversy Involving Stephen Hawking’s Likeness

A football club in Perth has been banned from league play for…
Cuomo, Mamdani, Sliwa: What to know ahead of the NYC mayoral election

NYC Mayoral Election: Key Insights on Cuomo, Mamdani, and Sliwa

New York City voters are choosing their next mayor, closing out an…
An outage is affecting Optus services for customers in parts of NSW, potentially impacting Triple Zero calls.

Optus Outage Crisis: Investigating Potential Disruptions to NSW Emergency Call Services

Authorities are currently probing an incident of vandalism involving a mobile phone…

Why Australia’s New Disease Control Hub is Crucial for National Health Security

Experts have welcomed a permanent Australian Centre for Disease Control (CDC) after…
Jaala Hinchcliffe.

Top Official Ignored Cybersecurity Warnings, Believing Threats Were Exaggerated

In a dramatic turn of events, a high-ranking federal bureaucrat has come…
Wicked, Bridgerton star crowned Sexiest Man Alive

Wicked and Bridgerton Star Jonathan Bailey Named 2023’s Sexiest Man Alive

People Magazine has once again bestowed its title of Sexiest Man Alive,…