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Dick Cheney, a towering figure in U.S. politics who served as vice president from 2001 to 2009 and helped drive the 2003 invasion of Iraq, died Monday night at the age of 84, his family confirmed.
Cheney’s influence spanned decades in Washington. A former Republican congressman from Wyoming, he served as Defense Secretary under President George H.W. Bush and as White House Chief of Staff under President Gerald Ford. In 2000, he became the running mate of George W. Bush and quickly emerged as one of the most powerful vice presidents in American history.
In the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, Cheney became a principal architect of the U.S. decision to invade Iraq, citing intelligence that alleged weapons of mass destruction, intelligence that later proved incorrect. His critics say the mistake cost thousands of lives and diverted U.S. attention; his supporters argue he acted decisively to protect the country.
After leaving office, Cheney remained a prominent voice in the Republican Party, and eventually became one of the most vocal GOP critics of Donald Trump. Along with his daughter, former Congresswoman Liz Cheney, he even revealed he voted for Democrat Kamala Harris in 2024, calling Trump “the greatest threat to our republic.”
A brief Cyprus connection
While Cheney is not widely known for his involvement in Cyprus, U.S. documents show that during the Bush‑Cheney era the U.S. engaged with the island’s leadership on its long‑running division. The U.S. government, in a 2001 letter, reaffirmed its support for a negotiated settlement to the Cyprus problem.
Moreover, Cyprus’s Foreign Minister at the time, George Iacovou, met with Vice President Cheney and other senior U.S. officials in 2003 to press for renewed talks.
Cheney is survived by his family, including his daughter Liz Cheney, who continues to play a role in U.S. political debates.
*Source: USA Today
