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Despite his
own lack of military experience, Dick Cheney established himself
as the Pentagon's respected leader, known for his direct management
style. At the Defense Department, Cheney firmly adhered to administration
policy and dealt swiftly with those he perceived as working against
the president's policies.
 In
September 1990, Cheney fired Gen. Michael Dugan, the Air Force
chief of staff, after he spoke openly with reporters about his
opinions on U.S. war plans against Iraq, which did not conform
to the administration's policy, Colin Powell recalled in his autobiography.
Cheney defended
the decision, assailing the general for his "lack of judgment"
in disclosing operational details," according to Bob Woodward's
"The Commanders." Dugan's firing led many in the news
media to believe the Pentagon was overly secretive and guarded
from the press.
As defense
secretary, Cheney directed several major military operations,
including the 1989 invasion of Panama and capture of dictator
Manuel Noriega, and the 1990-91 Persian Gulf War to force Iraq's
withdrawal from Kuwait.
In the months
leading up to the Gulf War, Cheney stood out as the strongest
proponent of military force against Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.
Cheney frequently clashed with Gen. Colin Powell -- whom he had
supported for chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff -- and others
who preferred applying diplomatic pressure and economic sanctions.
Ultimately, President Bush decided to prepare for war against
Iraq. President Bush dispatched Cheney to Saudi Arabia to secure
King Fahd's permission to build up U.S. forces on Saudi soil,
and gain support from Arab leaders for U.S. war plans against
Saddam Hussein.
After American
forces decisively defeated the Iraqi military, driving it out
of Kuwait and deep into Iraq before calling a cease-fire, President
Bush awarded the defense secretary the Presidential Medal of Freedom
on July 3, 1991.
Another of
Cheney's key accomplishments at the Pentagon involved a comprehensive
reevaluation of U.S. defense policy for a post-Cold War world.
Just before leaving office, in January 1993, Cheney and his defense
policy team issued a final defense policy that underscored the
importance of military deterrence to prevent rogue regimes from
acquiring weapons of mass destruction. Cheney's policy paper would
later have a significant impact in creating the post-9/11 doctrine
of preemption -- militarily confronting states and organizations
before they have a chance to attack American interests at home
or abroad.
-- By
Liz Harper, Online NewsHour
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