Lindsey Graham was an American patriot. His first priority was always to protect the United States, and his first instinct in this regard was to promote freedom as the kryptonite that would unravel tyranny and erode anti-Americanism.

Over the last quarter century, this instinct occasionally led me to disagree with him: I believe sharia supremacism is the antithesis of Western liberalism and thus that a freedom agenda can be counterproductive — i.e., Islamists use the procedural attendants of liberty, particularly popular elections, to enact the anti-liberty creed of sharia. Senator Graham seemed inclined to seek out moderate Islamists on the theory that they would evolve over time by immersion in societies that are Western or in which regimes are formed to Westernize them.

This is a persistent debate within the national security right. But we should always remember that it is a debate among friends who want what’s best for America. As much as anyone, Senator Graham personified that aspiration and spirit of friendship. He was more supple than most in trying to get the best out of both sides: the strongest defense of America that would allow for the greatest promotion of liberty, which itself, he believed, would serve America in the long run.

I had the opportunity to work with Senator Graham and his always stellar staff over the years on the Patriot Act, military commissions, and — in general — the folly of treating the state-sponsored challenge of jihadist terrorism as a crime issue rather than as a national defense issue. He was a serious thinker in this crossroad where the law meets intelligence and military priorities. I once testified before the Judiciary Committee on some related issue shortly after writing something critical of him; he couldn’t possibly have been more gracious and charming — and, well, hilarious.

Just a great American. Gone so suddenly, but working to the very end to promote freedom and shore up America’s alliances against America’s enemies. Requiescat in pace.