Secretary of State Mike Pompeo of the United States has responded to the passing of Middle East scholar Bernard Lewish by saying, "The world lost a true scholar and great man, Bernard Lewis, this past week. There is less knowledge and less wit with us today following his passing."
On a personal note, Pompeo continued, "I met him only once, but read much of what he wrote. I owe a great deal of my understanding of the Middle East to his work. Mr. Lewis was a hard-nosed defender of democracies around the world -- including in the Middle East. He was also man who believed, as I do, that Americans must be more confident in the greatness of our country, not less. Thank you Mr. Lewis for your life of service, well done."