Former Second-in-Command Dick Cheney: An Examination on His Influential Government Service

The former US vice-president Dick Cheney, who has died at age 84, was seen as one of the most influential holders of that position in American history. Whereas numerous vice-presidents were confined to minor or ceremonial functions, Cheney exercised huge power during the term of George W Bush, to such an extent that he was commonly described as the "true president".

Bush resented this portrayal and stated the dynamic was more complicated. He pointed out that Cheney was deferential, invariably addressing him in official appearances as Mr President, while he called him as Dick. Bush challenged even descriptions of their relationship as a partnership because it suggested that they were equals. In spite of these denials, Cheney found the relaxed president malleable on a broad range of policy decisions.

The Period Following the Attacks

In charge of a group of neo-conservatives that included defence secretary Donald Rumsfeld and deputy defence secretary Paul Wolfowitz, he vigorously promoted the military intervention of Iraq in 2003 in answer to the terrorist strikes on New York and Washington. At the time of the 9/11 strike, Bush had been attending a meeting at a elementary school in Florida. Whereas Bush headed for a secure location in Nebraska, Cheney assumed control, ordering the shooting down of any non-communicating aircraft nearing the government building.

Cheney stated the assaults altered his perspective, making him become intent on retribution. Along with other conservative figures, including Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz, he campaigned for a invasion of Afghanistan in an attempt to capture Osama bin Laden. Cheney then vigorously pushed for the military action of Iraq, though there was little proof of Saddam Hussein being involved.

Disputed Actions

He expressed no regrets about the armed intervention, in which an estimated 100,000 Iraqis lost their lives, and not about the harsh treatment of individuals rounded up after 9/11. He informed CNN in 2015 that the Iraq invasion effort, which was based on faulty intelligence repeated by Cheney, was the right course of action. "It represented the proper decision to do then. I was convinced back then and I hold that view now."

However even then, there were dissenting voices at a top tier about the mishandling of Iraq. One of the administration's own representatives to the region, General Anthony Zinni (2001-03), was not retained from the role. "I observed, at the very least," he later wrote "clear negligence, negligence, and irresponsibility: in the worst case, lying, unfitness, and corruption."

Broader Context

Cheney was not solely accountable for the Iraq invasion. Even before 9/11, Wolfowitz had advocated for comparable steps. He had written a memorandum detailing circumstances in which American interests might be endangered (featuring "access to vital raw materials, mostly Persian Gulf oil"). Wolfowitz had contended that "the US should be prepared to operate alone when collective action prove impossible," explicitly mentioning armed actions against Iraq.

Bush additionally had arrived in the White House somewhat determined on carrying out what his father had notably declined to do in 1991; remove Saddam. Subsequent to he had been sacked by the president, the finance chief Paul O'Neill disclosed how, at the opening session of the National Security Council in January 2001, Bush had stated his plan of lowering America's engagement in the Middle East dispute and proposed defense operations against Iraq.

Bush bore a personal grudge against Saddam, thinking he had been involved in a conspiracy to kill his father, President George HW Bush, on a visit to Kuwait in 1993. He additionally disliked that one of the biggest hotels in Baghdad had a floor mural with a image of his parent's countenance that all visitors had to walk over.

Investigation Approaches

But it was Cheney who was among the most outspoken behind striking Iraq, consistently quoting intelligence reports that were whether insubstantial or entirely deceptive. He supported what the Bush White House indirectly described as "intensive questioning", the use of simulated drowning and physical pressure.

Responding to a Senate analysis in 2014 that found that no actionable intelligence had been obtained through the interrogation methods, Cheney rejected the findings as "loaded with crap". He informed Fox News: "We instructed [the CIA] to take steps and establish procedures to catch the bastards who took the lives of 3,000 of us on 9/11 and make sure it would not recur. That's exactly what they did and they merit a lot of praise."

Public Image

Cheney enjoyed monikers imposed on him by opponents such as Darth Vader and The Prince of Darkness, and by the idea that he was a dark force manipulating Bush. In the author's 2013 volume about the duo, Days of Fire: Bush and Cheney in the White House, Cheney is cited as commenting: "Is it me who is the malevolent mastermind in the shadows that operates invisibly leave his lair? This represents a advantageous way to function, actually."

Commercial Ties

Dispute over his business interests followed him during his tenure as second-in-command. Although he had minimal expertise in business but strong connections in military, especially in Saudi Arabia, he was asked to become part of Halliburton, one of the world's most substantial oil and gas companies, in 1995 as leader and top executive.

In 2000 he became Bush's running mate for the presidency. Controversially, during the conflict in Iraq, Halliburton was awarded US contracts valued at billions.

It greatly increased his wealth. His annual income during his period at the corporation increased from his previous salary during his time as military head to millions. When he departed in 2000 he had a compensation package totaling in excess of $20m|twenty