US Senator Lindsey Graham dies at 71

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a prominent ally of former President Donald Trump and a significant voice in U.S. foreign policy, has died unexpectedly at the age of 71. His office announced his passing, citing a "brief and sudden illness." The local medical examiner later preliminarily determined the cause of death to be a tear in his aorta, a condition linked to heart disease.

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He’s a tough one to lose. He was great. He was unique in every way, actually.

Graham, who represented South Carolina, was a complex figure in American politics. He initially opposed Trump a decade ago, famously calling him a "race-baiting, xenophobic, religious bigot" during a presidential bid. However, he later became one of Trump's staunchest supporters, aligning with the former president's growing influence within the Republican Party. His allegiance briefly wavered following the January 6, 2021 Capitol insurrection but he ultimately reconciled with Trump and supported his 2024 reelection campaign.

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Lindsey is a great friend of Israel and a cherished friend of mine.

Known for his hawkish foreign policy stances, Graham was a strong advocate for interventionist approaches. He ardently supported Israel and consistently called for the United States to confront Iran and its government. He also urged both the Trump and Biden administrations to provide robust support to Ukraine in its defense against Russia's invasion. His death was met with tributes from allies, including former President Trump, who hailed Graham as a "tough" and "unique" politician. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Graham "a great friend of Israel and a cherished friend of mine." Conversely, Iranian state media described Graham as "malicious."

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Our people will not mourn a man whose philosophy on life w