Cheney’s ties to Iraq

Membership Ticker

Do you give a damn about the future of this country?

You wouldn’t be reading this if you didn’t. It’s never been more obvious that American democracy is fragile. And while the corporate media goes all in on horse-race journalism, we're digging for what matters: the ties between right-wing extremism and the GOP, dirty deeds done by billionaire-funded super-PACs, the how-this-affects-you implications of the candidates’ positions. One thing that can reliably stop liars, grifters, and extremists? Truth-telling independent media. And right now, we need your support.

We know you give a damn about this country’s future. So while the corporate media goes all in on horse-race journalism, we've spent this election season digging for the stories that matter. One thing that can reliably stop liars, grifters, and extremists is truth-telling independent media. And right now, we need your support.

Fight disinformation: Sign up for the free Mother Jones Daily newsletter and follow the news that matters.

Dick Cheney, during his tenure as CEO of the oil services company Halliburton, profited by doing business with Iraq even though that country is under UN trade sanctions, according to the SAN FRANCISCO BAY GUARDIAN.

Recent Must Reads

11/28 – Safe sex for plants

11/25 – The triumph of ‘wealth porn’

11/23 – Depleted uranium suit possible

11/22 – Thanks(giving) for nothing

While Cheney was at the helm, Halliburton negotiated $23.8 million in contracts — more than any other US company — to help Iraq with its petroleum operations. Cheney managed to skirt UN and US sanctions by using European subsidiaries and legal loopholes. And this kind of questionable deal wasn’t new for Halliburton: Brown and Root, a Halliburton subsidiary, was once fined $3.8 million for re-exporting US goods to Libya in violation of US sanctions.

So why did this seemingly notable misdeed elude both the mainstream press and Democratic campaigners? It might be because Democratic politicos have also been known to take part in similar shady deals.