Dick Cheney is the most influential and powerful man ever to hold the office of vice president. This special report examines Cheney's largely hidden and little-understood role in crafting policies on national security, the economy and the environment.

The Pulitzer Prize-Winning Series

A master of bureaucracy and detail, Cheney exerts most of his influence out of public view.

Cheney's office played a central role in shattering limits on coercion of prisoners in U.S. custody.

From behind the scenes, Cheney was guardian of conservative orthodoxy on budget and tax matters.

Cheney loosened protections on air and water quality and changed the rules on national parks.