Since the outbreak of the insurgency in Syria, John McCain has been actively involved in meetings with rebel commanders. The Republican Senator met with armed groups in Syria in May 2013 and posed in a controversial “photo op” with leading Al Qaeda commanders. McCain described this encounter on his twitter as an:
“…Important visit with brave fighters in #Syria who are risking their lives for freedom and need our help” (twitter.com/SenJohnMcCain/… (John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) May 28, 2013