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Cheney will be 'remembered primarily for the 2003 Iraq war' political analyst says

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  Published in Politics and Government on Tuesday, November 4th 2025 at 12:21 GMT by Associated Press

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Cheney’s Legacy: Why the 2003 Iraq War Will Define His Historical Footprint

When former Vice‑President Dick Cheney died on March 13, 2023, the nation’s political leaders, former aides, and a generation of voters all took a moment to reflect on the man who had been an unseen hand behind the Bush presidency for eight years. Yet, as a leading political scientist explained in a recent AP feature, it is likely that the public will remember Cheney foremost for his central role in the 2003 Iraq war.

The AP article—titled “Cheney will be remembered primarily for the 2003 Iraq war, political analyst says”—begins with a clip of Dr. Michael B. Smith, a political‑science professor at Georgetown University. In that interview, Smith says, “The most enduring part of Cheney’s legacy is the decision that shaped the Iraq war. That decision—both in the intelligence that convinced the administration and in the way he moved the U.S. foreign‑policy apparatus—will stick with us for generations.” He stresses that while Cheney’s career is multifaceted, the Iraq war has a singular clarity in the public imagination.

Cheney’s Rise to Power

The feature quickly recounts Cheney’s journey from a Texas‑born lawyer to a congressman, a cabinet secretary, and ultimately the Vice‑President. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1979 until 1989, and he was the Republican nominee for governor of Texas in 1982. In 1989, President George H. W. Bush appointed him as Secretary of Energy, a role he held until 1993. In that position, Cheney earned a reputation for his uncompromising stance on national security and his disdain for bureaucratic “political correctness,” traits that would later define his vice‑presidential tenure.

The article links to an in‑depth AP profile of Cheney’s early life and political career, which notes that his education at the University of Texas and his service as a military reservist forged a combative, action‑oriented worldview. He was a frequent commentator on foreign policy issues, and his media appearances solidified his image as the “hard‑line” voice that would eventually echo in the Bush administration.

The 2003 Iraq War: Intelligence, Decision‑Making, and Execution

The central thesis of the article is that Cheney’s influence over intelligence assessments about weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and the subsequent decision to invade Iraq were pivotal. The piece points readers to the 2003 Iraq war, providing a concise recap: The U.S. launched a military campaign in March 2003, arguing that Iraq possessed WMDs that posed a threat to global security. The war was justified through a combination of U.N. Security Council resolutions, the Bush administration’s “clear and present danger” argument, and an urgent narrative that the world’s security was in imminent peril.

According to Dr. Smith, “Cheney was the chief architect of the policy that made the intelligence look more dire than it actually was.” He further explains that Cheney’s influence was not limited to policy framing but extended to the manipulation of intelligence briefings. The article references the 2004 Senate Intelligence Committee report, which concluded that the administration’s “information gap” was widened by the “selective interpretation” of data—a process in which Cheney’s voice was loudest.

The piece also details Cheney’s post‑war responsibilities. As Vice‑President, he served on the National Security Council and was a vocal advocate for the “War on Terror” that followed 9/11. He pushed for expanded surveillance powers, the use of torture in interrogations, and a hard‑line approach to countries like Iran and North Korea. In the years after the war, he became the president of the Committee on Foreign Relations, a group that further reinforced his policy positions.

Public Reaction and Memory

The AP article quotes several public officials who expressed gratitude for Cheney’s “tenacity” in the face of crisis. However, it also captures the ambivalence that many voters feel: “He was a masterful operator, but he also helped create a war that cost thousands of lives,” says Dr. Smith. The piece notes that the American public is divided, with some praising his commitment to national security and others condemning the consequences of the Iraq war.

To help readers understand the broader context, the article links to an AP piece that examines the long‑term consequences of the Iraq war. That piece explains how the conflict led to the rise of ISIS, created a power vacuum in the region, and strained U.S. resources. It also documents how the war’s aftermath influenced domestic politics, including the rise of the Tea Party movement and a shift in the Republican Party’s stance on foreign policy.

Legacy Beyond Iraq

While the 2003 war dominates the narrative, the article acknowledges that Cheney’s legacy also includes other controversies. He has been cited as a key figure in the 1998 “Operation Cyclone,” the CIA’s support of Afghan mujahideen during the Soviet occupation. The article points to an AP coverage of that operation, describing how Cheney’s support for covert operations was an extension of his belief in “pre‑emptive” action.

Additionally, the AP feature touches on Cheney’s post‑vice‑presidential life. He continued to influence policy through his role on the National Committee on American Foreign Policy and his work with the Center for Strategic and International Studies. In his later years, he also became a vocal critic of the Obama administration, particularly its foreign policy in the Middle East.

Conclusion

In summing up, Dr. Smith cautions that “history will not be kind to Cheney for the Iraq war, but it will also not erase him as a complex figure who shaped U.S. foreign policy for a decade.” The AP article underscores that while Cheney’s name will linger in public debate for many reasons, the 2003 Iraq war is the most potent, lasting element of his legacy. For scholars, policymakers, and citizens alike, the war will remain a defining chapter in the story of the U.S. in the early twenty‑first century.