The Challenge of Command in the New Century

Retired U.S. Marine General Kenneth Mackenzie, is not a household name but he ran, among many hats that he has worn, CENTCOM - Central Command - that includes Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel and most everything else that is nearby. Much of the book is about CENTCOM, as the subtitle makes clear. "High Command and War in the 21st Century" with much added detail on topics ranging from the killing of the Iranian Qassam Soleimani (p. 63-89) to the terribly handled withdrawal from Afghanistan (p. 140-141).

The author is direct in his commendations and his criticisms, including stuff he (Mea Culpa) did wrong which is refreshing. There is also a lot of praise, mostly for individuals he names, but with criticism of others ranging from the New York Times and New Yorker (not getting it correct), the troubled period from November 2019 to January 2020 (p. 148) to the final hours of the Trump Administration (colored by January 6, 2021) and the start of the Biden Administration.

I think Mackenzie is fair in his evaluations. For example, he faults Secretary of Defense Mark Esper on one item and notes where he did well on other fronts. After Esper was "fired", the Acting Secretary of Defense, Christopher Miller, is roundly disapproved of in his attempt to bring in "Trumpers" and to play politics in the administration as Biden prepared to become President (p. 148). Trump fares well at times, after an attack on our embassy in Iraq, Mackenzie writes, "This was a clear and straightforward warning. Whatever one's opinion was of the president's proclivity to tweet about anything and everything, in this case it was very helpful." (p. 161).

When Biden's team comes on board, the author writes "From a process perspective, I believe the uniformed military welcomed this return to 'normal order'" (p176). The chapter is aptly named “Cleansing the Temple.”

The last chapters are devoted to an analysis of the withdrawal from Afghanistan. Of course, neither Trump nor Biden come off well here, and having to deal with the cowboy Senator (actually part Cherokee) Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) deciding to fly into Kabul at the last minute (p. 251) further highlights crazy politicians adding to the withdrawal chaos.

His final chapters take us into the post-Afghanistan world. Very contemporary commentary.

As a long time wargamer (commercial side), it was fun to learn he and game designer, and former State Department official, Phil Kosnett in the 1970's and 80's played wargames from the likes of SPI and Avalon Hill. I wanted to know - were they playing Bismarck and PanzerGruppe Guderian, or The Next War.

Melting Point is illustrated with contemporary pictures of the General and his meetings and the excellent use of maps in the text where they are most helpful. There is a glossary, but it needed a fuller one with the numerous acronyms. I had to make a hand list of them. CENTCOM is easy to figure out. IMSC? not so much. You will likely consult your dictionary as there were several words I had never heard of before. The $5- and $10-dollar variety of words of the English language. Finally, he does repeat some material in places. By the end of the book, you will know quite well that part of Iran's policy is to boot the USA out of the Middle East.

Easy to read, very analytical and a great book that should be read by many folks from all walks of life. Where else will you get these insights that also include quotes from Shakespeare, Ghostbusters, Animal House, and Jim Morrison?

Our Reviewer: Jack Greene is the author or co-author of numerous works in naval and military history, such as The Naval War in the Mediterranean, 1940-1943, Rommel's North Africa Campaign: September 1940-November 1942, and The Black Prince and The Sea Devils. He previously reviewed Field Marshal: The Life and Death of Erwin Rommel and The French Fleet: Ships, Strategy and Operations, 1870-1918.

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Note: The Melting Point is also available in e-editions.

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