“It’s an absolutely tragic loss for Western democracy. He was an indefatigable defender of the West, of Western values, and of the principles of democracy and freedom. And he was very tough,” former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told me on Monday. “The people of Israel, Ukraine, and Iran owe him a huge amount, as do the people of the United States of America, whose freedoms he was ultimately protecting. It’s sad for people in countries that aren’t free and who are hoping to be free, because he was their champion. It’s bad, bad news. I was very honored to work with him. I’m shocked and sad about it. It’s a terrible development. My thoughts are with his family and friends.”

The late Sen. Lindsey Graham earned that high praise.