Episode 67: Book Talk — The Melting Point: High Command and War in the 21st Century

Podcast host Zach Markenson speaks with the former Combatant Commander for United States Central Command, General McKenzie (R), about his recently published book “The Melting Point: High Command and War in the 21st Century.” General McKenzie provides detailed accounts of some of the most consequential recent military operations that he oversaw, including the U.S. strike that killed IRGC Quds force leader General Qassem Soleimani, the special operations raid that killed ISIS leader Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi, and the United States military’s withdrawal from Afghanistan. He also discusses how CENTCOM has handled heightened tensions with Iran and offers his perspective on the long-term impacts of America’s withdrawal from Afghanistan.  

About the Guest

General Kenneth F. McKenzie, Jr. (R) is the former Combatant Commander for United States Central Command.A native of Birmingham, Alabama, upon graduation from The Citadel in 1979, Gen McKenzie was commissioned into the Marine Corps and trained as an infantry officer.

He has commanded at the platoon, company, battalion, Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), and component levels. As an LtCol, he commanded the First Battalion, Sixth Marines. As the Commanding Officer of the 22d MEU (SOC), he led the MEU on combat deployments to Afghanistan in 2004 and Iraq in 2005-2006. In 2006-2007, he served as the Military Secretary to the 33rd and 34th Commandants of the Marine Corps.

In June 2014, he was promoted to LtGen and assumed command of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Central Command. In October 2015, he was assigned to the Joint Staff to serve as the Director for Strategy, Plans & Policy, J5. In July 2017, he was named the Director of Joint Staff. Gen McKenzie was promoted to his highest rank and assumed command of U.S. Central Command from 2019-2022.

Views expressed are personal and do not represent the views of GSSR or any other entity.