Dick Cheney, the influential former US vice president who played a pivotal role in shaping the “war on terror,” has died at 84, leaving behind a legacy marked by controversial policies that continue to impact global security and politics.
Dick Cheney passed away on November 4, 2025, at the age of 84, as confirmed by multiple news outlets including CNN and the Associated Press. He served as defense secretary under President George H.W. Bush during the Gulf War and later as vice president under George W. Bush, where he was often described as the administration’s chief operating officer and one of the most powerful figures in modern American history. His death has prompted widespread reflection on his extensive career and the lasting effects of his decisions.
As vice president, Cheney was a key architect of the US response to the 9/11 attacks, advocating for aggressive military actions including the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq. In August 2002, he famously told the Veterans of Foreign Wars that there was “no doubt” Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction and was amassing them to use against the US and its allies—claims that were later proven false but became a central justification for the Iraq War. This assertion set the stage for a conflict that would define his legacy and reshape international relations.
The initial military campaign was swift and decisive, with US and coalition forces reaching Baghdad in just 20 days. However, the occupation that followed was plagued by failures in security, governance, and provision of basic services. Cities like Fallujah and Ramadi became hotspots of insurgency, and the US struggled to maintain order in the complex Iraqi society. This period highlighted the challenges of nation-building and the unintended consequences of intervention.
A major scandal emerged with the abuse of detainees at Abu Ghraib prison, where images of torture shocked the world. Cheney condemned the abuses but defended techniques like waterboarding as necessary for intelligence gathering, despite widespread criticism that such methods constituted torture and were ineffective. These events deepened moral questions about the conduct of the “war on terror” and its alignment with American values.
The long-term consequences of the Iraq War include the rise of the Islamic State (ISIS), which capitalized on the power vacuum and sectarian divisions. Additionally, Iran, once an enemy of Hussein’s Iraq, gained significant influence in the country, altering regional power balances. These developments have contributed to ongoing instability in the Middle East, with ripple effects felt in global terrorism and migration crises.
Economically, the post-9/11 conflicts have cost the United States an estimated $8 trillion, according to Brown University’s Costs of War Project, contributing to the national debt and highlighting the financial burden of prolonged military engagements. This economic impact underscores the trade-offs between security spending and domestic priorities, resonating in current policy debates.
While Cheney’s legacy is deeply tied to these events, he is part of a broader narrative of US foreign policy in the Middle East. His death prompts reflection on the enduring challenges of terrorism, migration crises, and the moral and economic costs of intervention, issues that remain unresolved decades later. As the world continues to grapple with the aftermath of the “war on terror,” Cheney’s passing serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between leadership, security, and human rights.