Dick Cheney, the former US Vice President who played a pivotal role in shaping George W. Bush’s ‘war on terror’ and was a key advocate for the 2003 invasion of Iraq, passed away at the age of 84. His family announced that he succumbed to complications from pneumonia, cardiac, and vascular diseases on Monday night. Cheney, born in Lincoln, Nebraska in 1941, rose to prominence as one of the most powerful vice presidents in US history, transforming the traditionally ceremonial role into a de-facto deputy presidency. He was instrumental in guiding American foreign policy and national security following the 9/11 attacks, advocating for military actions in Afghanistan and Iraq. Cheney’s tenure was marked by controversy, particularly over his assertions about Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction and alleged links to al-Qaeda, claims that were later discredited. Despite his significant influence, Cheney’s legacy remains deeply polarizing due to the prolonged and costly Iraq War. In his later years, he became a vocal critic of Donald Trump, endorsing Kamala Harris in the 2020 election and condemning Trump’s leadership as a threat to the republic. Cheney’s daughter, Liz, followed in his footsteps, becoming a prominent ‘never Trump’ Republican before being ousted from Congress for her opposition to the former president. His passing has reignited debates over his complex legacy, with some on the left praising his late-life stance against Trump, despite their earlier criticisms of his policies.