The political legacy of Dick Cheney, former US vice president • FRANCE 24 English

Key Concepts

• Dick Cheney's Death: Former US Vice President Dick Cheney passed away at 84 due to complications from pneumonia and cardiovascular disease.
• Key Roles: Served as Secretary of Defense under George H.W. Bush and as Vice President under George W. Bush.
• Post-9/11 Influence: Played a central role in shaping the US response to the September 11th terror attacks.
• Iraq Invasion (2003): A significant point of his tenure, with Cheney being a primary advocate for the invasion.
• "Driving Force" Argument: Critics and historians often viewed Cheney as the principal architect of the Bush administration's foreign policy, particularly regarding Iraq.
• Neoconservatism and Interventionism: Cheney was a prominent figure associated with hawkish, interventionist foreign policy.
• Waterboarding/Enhanced Interrogation Techniques: Cheney defended the use of controversial interrogation methods.
• Shift in US Foreign Policy: The Iraq War's outcome contributed to a decline in neoconservative influence and a rise in isolationist sentiment in US foreign policy.
• Cheney's Stance on Donald Trump: Cheney considered Donald Trump a significant threat to the American republic.

Dick Cheney's Legacy and Influence

Dick Cheney, former US Vice President, has died at the age of 84, succumbing to complications arising from pneumonia and cardiovascular disease. His career in public service was marked by significant influence, particularly in shaping US foreign policy.

Key Roles and Appointments:

• Secretary of Defense: Appointed by President George H.W. Bush in 1989.
• Vice President: Served under President George W. Bush, selected as his running mate for both the 2000 and 2004 elections.

Central Role in Post-9/11 Era:

Cheney was a pivotal figure in the aftermath of the September 11th terror attacks. His influence extended to the decision-making process that led to the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Many observers and subsequent historians have characterized Cheney as the "real driving force" and the "real power" behind the George W. Bush administration's foreign policy agenda.

Foreign Policy and the Iraq War:

• Previous Experience: As Defense Secretary under George H.W. Bush, Cheney was involved in two notable military operations: the ousting of Daniel Noriega in Panama and the expulsion of Saddam Hussein's forces from Kuwait after the invasion of Kuwait. These successes, according to Angela Diffy of France 24's International Affairs Desk, appeared to embolden him.
• Pivot to Iraq: Following the 9/11 attacks, the initial US response focused on Afghanistan, where Osama bin Laden was harbored by the Taliban. However, Cheney was instrumental in redirecting the US response towards Iraq.
• Justification for Invasion: Cheney strongly advocated for the invasion of Iraq, asserting the presence of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and arguing that Saddam Hussein should have been dealt with during the first Gulf War. He also promoted the idea of bringing democracy to the region by force.
• "Driving Force" Consensus: Insiders within the White House and later historians largely concur that Cheney was the primary architect of the decision to invade Iraq.
• Criticism and Outcomes: The war in Iraq is widely considered a mistake by many historians, regardless of political leaning. The intervention did not achieve its stated objectives, leading to an "ignominious pull out" with limited success. This outcome contributed to a decline in the influence of neoconservative and interventionist foreign policy makers.

Controversial Stances and Practices:

• Halliburton Contracts: During the Clinton administration, Cheney worked for the US oil company Halliburton. It later emerged that Halliburton was awarded contracts to rebuild Iraq's oil industry following the invasion. Cheney himself was slated to receive $500,000, though the extent to which this influenced his decisions remains unclear. This association, however, did impact his reputation.
• "Hawk" Mentality: Cheney was consistently described as a "hawk" in foreign policy.
• Waterboarding Defense: He defended the use of waterboarding, a practice criticized as torture, referring to it as an "enhanced interrogation technique" necessary for extracting information. This stance underscored his hawkish approach to national security.

Impact on US Foreign Policy Trends:

The perceived failure of the Iraq War and the subsequent decline of neoconservative influence paved the way for a shift towards isolationist foreign policy ideas. This trend became evident under subsequent administrations, including those of Barack Obama and Donald Trump.

Cheney's View on Donald Trump:

In a notable statement towards the end of his life, Dick Cheney declared that Donald Trump represented "the greatest threat to the republic" that America had ever encountered. This stark assessment contrasts with the "wholesome tribute" offered by former President George W. Bush.

Conclusion

Dick Cheney's tenure as Vice President was characterized by a profound and often controversial influence on US foreign policy, most notably in the decision to invade Iraq. His hawkish stance and defense of controversial interrogation techniques solidified his image as a powerful and decisive, albeit divisive, figure. The legacy of his actions continues to be debated, with the Iraq War's outcome significantly impacting the trajectory of American foreign policy towards a more isolationist stance. His final public statement regarding Donald Trump highlights a late-life divergence from certain political trends he once championed.