To Whom It May Concern:

We take strong exception to Sen. Rand Paul’s absurd accusation that Sen. John McCain unknowingly met with members of the Islamic State while in Syria to meet with the moderate Syrian opposition. The claim, first made by a pro-Hezbollah news organization in Lebanon, and then spurred on by amateurishly doctored photographs, has been thoroughly debunked and disproven by the New York Times and by Washington Post fact-checker, Glenn Kessler, who gave it the maximum Four Pinocchios . Those who have nevertheless trumpeted this false story include the Iranian government, Fidel Castro, some irresponsible conspiracy-mongers on the internet, and now, unfortunately, Sen. Paul.

Senator Paul has at times inspired a worthy debate on American foreign policy. We disagree with his views, but we believe an open debate is healthy. That is all the more reason why it is so disturbing to see Sen. Paul use false and discredited accusations to advance his arguments. Perhaps he has been misinformed by advisers. In any event, we urge Senator Paul to return to a form of argumentation based in facts and in fairness, one that can benefit both the Republican Party and the country. We also believe he owes Sen. McCain an apology.

Sincerely,

Elliott Abrams

Max Boot

Eliot A. Cohen

Eric S. Edelman

Robert G. Joseph

Robert Kagan

William Kristol

Danielle Pletka

Kenneth R. Weinstein