US Vice President Dick Cheney takes to the stage on March 18, 2008 to deliver remarks to US troops stationed at Balad Air Base, Iraq

US Vice President Dick Cheney takes to the stage on March 18, 2008 to deliver remarks to US troops stationed at Balad Air Base, Iraq

 Paul J. RICHARDS

Dick Cheney achieved influence unrivaled for a vice president in shaping US foreign policy, ruthlessly pursuing military might and advocating pre-emptive war to reshape the world.

The descent of Cheney, who died Tuesday, was also spectacular. His hawkish brand of neoconservatism, including the invasion of Iraq, began to be repudiated even before he left office, and today both major US parties largely reject his views.

Originally published on doc.afp.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.