Dick Cheney, who rose to become one of most powerful figures in American politics as the 46th vice president of the United States, made an indelible mark on foreign policy and the reach of the executive branch.

That legacy includes one of the worst strategic decisions in U.S. history in crafting the argument for the 2003 invasion and occupation of Iraq, which was based on false information and led to nearly 5,000 deaths of U.S. troops and hundreds of thousands of killed Iraqis.

Cheney, who died on Monday from complications of pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease at age 84, held a myriad of roles in nearly four decades including White House chief of staff, congressman, Defense secretary and most memorably vice president during former President George W. Bush’s administration.

Here are his major contributions to U.S. foreign policy.

Promoted expansive presidential power

Cheney was well on the record in his opinion on presidential restraints, frequently arguing that they diminished U.S. power, especially when it came to its military effectiveness.

While serving as the lone congressman for Wyoming in the 1980s, he argued for........

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