Former Vice President Dick Cheney warned that the United States is in more danger now than before the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and that the next major attack will be worse than that day. While speaking with The Weekly Standard's Bill Kristol, Cheney discussed a host of issues. The nearly two-hour interview covers the former vice president's entire career, according to the Weekly Standard.
The two discussed Cheney's time as secretary of defense, the Gulf War, the Nixon and Ford Years, the Reagan years, 9/11, and the threats we face today.
On the last point, Cheney surveyed the world -- particulary the Middle East -- and expressed concern about Iran getting nuclear weapons. If that happens, Cheney predicted, many other countries in the region would quickly acquire nuclear weapons, too.
Cheney said he was "really worried" about the current state of affairs. He said the United States is not safe.
"So we're in a very dangerous period, and I think it's more threatening than the period before 9/11," Cheney said. "I think 9/11 will turn out to be not nearly as bad as the next mass casualty attack against the United States--which, if and when it comes, will be with something far deadlier than [with] airline tickets and box cutters."
Cheney also expressed hope that we would be able to overcome the challenges we face today, much like we overcame the challenges we faced in World War II.