Former US Vice President Dick Cheney Dies at 84; Legacy Remains Deeply Divided

Former United States Vice President Dick Cheney has died at age 84 from complications of pneumonia and cardiac disease, ending a controversial political career that shaped American foreign policy for decades and continues to impact global politics today.

George W. Bush, under whom Cheney served as vice president from 2001 to 2009, led tributes calling his death "a loss to the nation." Bush described Cheney as "a patriot who brought integrity, high intelligence, and seriousness of purpose to every position he held," adding that history would remember him as "among the finest public servants of his generation."

Cheney's family announced his passing Monday night, remembering him as "a great and good man who taught his children and grandchildren to love our country, and to live lives of courage, honour, love, kindness, and fly fishing." He is survived by his wife, Lynne, his daughters, Liz and Mary Cheney, and seven grandchildren.

A Powerful Vice Presidency and the War on Terror

Cheney transformed the traditionally ceremonial role of vice president into what many observers called a "de facto deputy presidency" during the Bush administration. He wielded unprecedented influence over American foreign policy and national security, particularly following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon.

As a principal architect of America's "war on terror," Cheney was a leading advocate for military intervention in Afghanistan and the 2003 invasion of Iraq. He repeatedly claimed that Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction and maintained links to al-Qaeda, the terrorist organization responsible for 9/11. Neither claim was substantiated during the subsequent military campaign.

Condoleezza Rice, who served as Secretary of State alongside Cheney, praised him for "his integrity and his love of our country," calling him "an inspiring presence and mentor." However, his legacy remains sharply contested.

The Iraq War, which Cheney championed, resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths and years of American military involvement. Iraqi writer Sinan Antoon described Cheney's lasting legacy in Iraq as one of "chaos and terrorism," telling the BBC that "in a different world Dick Cheney would definitely be a war criminal and would be standing trial."

Kristofer Goldsmith, a US Army veteran deployed to Iraq, echoed this sentiment, stating that "most people recognise Dick Cheney as someone who created a massive problem that ended up in hundreds of thousands of deaths." These criticisms reflect broader international debates about American interventionism and its long-term consequences for the Middle East and global stability.

Former President Bill Clinton, a Democrat, offered measured condolences: "Though we often disagreed, I always respected his dedication to our country and his unwavering sense of duty."

From Republican Stalwart to Trump Critic

Born in Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1941, Cheney's political career spanned five decades. He attended Yale University on scholarship but did not graduate, later earning a Master's degree in political science from the University of Wyoming. His Washington career began in 1968, and he became President Gerald Ford's chief of staff at the age of 34.

As Secretary of Defense under George Bush Sr., Cheney oversaw Pentagon operations during the 1990-91 Gulf War, when a US-led coalition expelled Iraqi forces from Kuwait, an ironic prelude to his later role in the 2003 Iraq invasion.

Despite his Republican credentials, Cheney became a fierce opponent of Donald Trump. After initially endorsing Trump in 2016, he grew appalled by allegations of Russian election interference and Trump's approach to NATO. He supported his daughter, Liz Cheney, as she became a prominent "never Trump" Republican and condemned Trump's refusal to accept the 2020 election results.

In a dramatic intervention two months before the 2024 presidential election, Cheney announced he would vote for Democrat Kamala Harris, declaring there had "never been an individual who is a greater threat to our republic than Donald Trump." Trump responded by calling Cheney an "irrelevant RINO" Republican in name only.

Cheney's influence on American foreign policy had far-reaching consequences for Africa, including Ghana. The "war on terror" shaped US military and diplomatic engagement across the continent, with American counter-terrorism initiatives in the Sahel and Horn of Africa directly stemming from post-9/11 policy frameworks Cheney helped establish.

Ghana, as a stable democracy and American ally in West Africa, has participated in military training programs and intelligence-sharing arrangements that emerged from this era. The debates surrounding interventionism and democracy promotion that Cheney's legacy embodies remain relevant for Ghana's own foreign policy approach and regional security cooperation.

President Trump has not yet commented on Cheney's death, though the White House confirmed he is "aware" of it. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said "we give honour where honour is due," acknowledging political differences while recognizing Cheney's service.

Vice President Harris stated that Cheney's passing "marks the loss of a figure who, with a strong sense of dedication, gave so much of his life to the country he loved." Flags at the White House were lowered to half-staff Tuesday morning.

Cheney's death closes a chapter in American political history while leaving unresolved debates about executive power, military intervention, and the costs of the "war on terror." His transformation from Republican icon to party outcast reflects the dramatic realignment of American conservatism over the past decade, a shift with implications for democratic politics worldwide.

His political career was dramatized in the 2018 film Vice, with actor Christian Bale winning a Golden Globe for his portrayal of the former vice president. Cheney suffered from heart problems throughout his life, experiencing his first heart attack at 37 and undergoing a full heart transplant in 2012 after five previous cardiac incidents.