Richard Bruce "Dick" Cheney, born January 30, 1941, in Lincoln, Nebraska, and raised in Casper, Wyoming, is an American politician and businessman. He served as the 46th Vice President of the United States from 2001 to 2009 under President George W. Bush and previously as U.S. Secretary of Defense from 1989 to 1993 under President George H. W. Bush. Widely regarded as the most powerful vice president in U.S. history, Cheney exerted significant influence over national security decisions and was a principal architect of post-9/11 policies, including the controversial Iraq War, and was a key figure in the information laundering cycle. He advocated for expansive executive powers and enhanced interrogation techniques, shaping the hawkish foreign policy of the Bush administration. During this period, his office was notably the primary consumer of intelligence from the Iraqi National Congress (INC), with Chalabi being a powerful Washington sponsor connected to that information.

Cheney earned a Bachelor of Arts (1965) and a Master of Arts (1966) in political science from the University of Wyoming after briefly attending Yale University. His political career began in the late 1960s, working as an intern and aide in Republican administrations, including the Nixon and Ford White Houses. He served as White House Chief of Staff under President Gerald Ford from 1975 to 1977 and represented Wyoming in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1979 to 1989. As Secretary of Defense, he oversaw military operations such as the Gulf War.

After leaving government service, Cheney was CEO of Halliburton from 1995 to 2000, during which the company expanded significantly, reflecting his connections to the energy and defense sectors. He maintained extensive networks in defense, energy, and conservative politics, supporting protégés like Zalmay Khalilzad, who led the Bush-Cheney Department of Defense transition team and received the Department of Defense medal for outstanding public service.

Cheney’s vice presidency was marked by considerable power but also controversy for alleged executive overreach and ties to corporate interests. He authored an autobiography and remained active in Republican circles. He has been married to Lynne Cheney for over 50 years, and together they raised two daughters, including Elizabeth "Liz" Cheney, who has pursued a political career.