Cheney Says U.S. Headed for Big Trouble on Terrorism

Former Vice President Dick Cheney stepped up his offensive against President Barack Obama today by accusing the commander-in-chief of underestimating the terrorist threat and not doing enough to confront it.

Were in for big trouble in the years ahead because of his refusal to recognize reality and because of his continual emphasis upon getting the U.S. basically to withdraw from that part of the world, Cheney, a Republican, said of the Middle East and Afghanistan, in an interview on ABCs This Week program.

Senator Rand Paul, a Republican from Kentucky, said on NBCs Meet the Press that he doesnt blame Obama for the current turmoil in Iraq, pointing the finger partly at those who originally supported the war. Paul and Cheneys conflicting views show a schism in their party over the Mideast and on foreign policy in general.

Cheney, one of the key architects of the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq that ousted Saddam Hussein, has increased his criticism and visibility as Iraq teeters on the brink of civil war. Obama withdrew all troops from the country in 2011 after failing to reach a security agreement with the Iraqi government for an extended U.S. military presence.

Even as he attacked Obama, who is deploying 300 special operations forces to gather intelligence on Iraq, Cheney declined to outline a specific military strategy. He didnt say whether he favors air strikes or more extensive action.

When were arguing over 300 advisers when the request had been for 20,000 in order to do the job right, Im not sure weve really addressed the problem, he said.

While advocating training and weapons for the resistance up in Syria, Cheney said, At this point there are no good, easy answers in Iraq.

White House officials have shrugged off the criticism and Democratic lawmakers such as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid have faulted Cheney for misjudgments on the war.

Cheney had said he had no doubt Saddam was reconstituting chemical and biological weapons. The former vice president in 2003 said the U.S. would be greeted as liberators and that several hundred thousand troops wouldnt be needed to provide security once the conflict ends.

Asked about such claims in todays broadcast, Cheney made no apologies.

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Cheney Says U.S. Headed for Big Trouble on Terrorism