The ominous figure in black is, obviously, Dick Cheney.

He's explaining that there will be no escaping for the rebels this time. As he departed in his shuttle, Cheney thundered to the base commander, "Don't fail me again, Admiral." Then he flew to a ship in the Persian Gulf and personally threatened to bomb Iran. Seriously, this is what he did next.

Vice President's Remarks at a Rally for U.S. Troops at Contingency Operating Base Speicher, Iraq [White House]

Cheney Warns Iran Sea Lanes Must Be Open [Washington Post]