• Lindsey Graham, U.S. Senator from South Carolina, has died at 71.
• He passed away after a brief and sudden illness on July 11.
• Graham was a close ally of former President Donald Trump.
• He had recently returned from a visit to Ukraine where he met President Zelensky.
• Tributes have poured in from political figures and allies.

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham died on July 11 at the age of 71 after a "brief and sudden illness," according to a statement from his office. His family has requested privacy during this difficult time, emphasizing the need for prayers, as reported by Channel News Asia and NPR.

Graham, who served as a Republican senator from South Carolina since 2003, was known for his strong defense policies and as a close ally of former President Donald Trump. He recently met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a visit to Kyiv, just days before his passing, highlighting his advocacy for U.S. military support abroad, as detailed by Los Angeles Times and Le Monde.

Throughout his career, Graham transitioned from being a critic of Trump to one of his staunchest supporters, often serving as a voice for the Republican agenda in foreign policy. His political influence was significant, and he was a well-respected figure within the party, as mentioned by SCMP and CBS News.

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster expressed deep sorrow at Graham’s death, describing him as “irreplaceable,” and highlighting his fierce dedication to both South Carolina and the United States, according to India Times and Al Jazeera.