USA/ Dick Cheney, influential and divisive vice President, dies at 84
Dick Cheney, the formidable vice president who profoundly shaped U.S. foreign policy after 9/11, has died at 84. His family announced his passing on Tuesday, stating he died from complications of pneumonia and cardiac disease.
As vice president to George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009, Cheney was arguably the most powerful figure in that office’s history.
He was a chief architect of the global “war on terror,” advocating for the invasion of Iraq based on disputed intelligence about weapons of mass destruction.
The 9/11 attacks fundamentally transformed his worldview, solidifying his commitment to a doctrine of pre-emptive war and regime change.
A lifelong conservative, Cheney’s political journey ended with a stark break from his party. He became a vocal critic of Donald Trump, calling him a “coward” and the greatest threat to the republic.
In a final political irony, he voted for Democrat Kamala Harris in 2024, repudiating the populist direction of the modern GOP.
Despite severe cardiovascular issues that included multiple heart attacks and a 2012 transplant, Cheney led a vigorous life.
His legacy remains deeply polarizing; a symbol of resolute American power to some, and of overreach and protracted conflict to others.
