The Melting Point

"""If we didn’t have a leatherneck warrior-scholar like Frank McKenzie, we would have to invent one. Through the lens of his last twenty years of military service Frank brings us to a realization of the complexities of a senior officer’s life. From the sausage-making of defense policy to the gut-wrenching decisions that affect young service members’ lives, General McKenzie bares it all. Unsparing in his observations, even when it affects himself negatively, he makes clear to us the understanding that life as a combatant commander is one of constant second guessing, no spare time, and a constant lack of perfect knowledge. He lived with terrorism and terrorists and was the decision maker for the notable elimination of several of the most bloody minded of these miscreants. General McKenzie makes it clear that, notwithstanding the improvements in intelligence and communication, a commander needs today what military leaders have always relied upon—experience, trust in subordinates, and a gut instinct. Thank God General McKenzie was there for us at a most perilous time for this nation and followed his gut.""—Ambassador Richard Armitage, former Deputy Secretary of State and Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs ""Adeeply relevant and important book in understanding contemporary national security policy and US relations with the nations that fall under CENTCOM’s remit, The Melting Point is the spiritual successor to Into the Storm and Battle Ready for how it places the reader into the mind of a senior military leader and offers greater understanding of the role of the military and what it can do. It is a welcome contribution of supreme relevance and will be of use to policymakers, military leaders, and historians.""—The Cipher Brief ""General Frank McKenzie led U.S. Central Command during one of the most critical, volatile times in recent military history. The Melting Point tells the extraordinary story of his tenure in an utterly compelling, even gripping way. This book’s candor and sophistication brings the reader into the room as difficult, dangerous, and consequential decisions are made. McKenzie’s insights and lessons form a master class in leadership, military and otherwise. This is an important, wonderfully written account by a key actor in recent global history.""—Richard Fontaine, Chief Executive Officer, Center for a New American Security ""The Melting Point is neither the first nor the last memoir about the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, but it is one of the most candid and insightful accounts from a seasoned U.S. military commander. This is a must-read book for anyone who wants to ensure we learn the hard lessons of this chapter in our history.""—Michele Flournoy, former Undersecretary of Defense for Policy ""General Frank McKenzie is one of the most thoughtful, competent, and experienced leaders of his generation. In The Melting Point, he shares insightful and invaluable lessons about the Central Command Region and command at the strategic level. He writes with candor, clarity, and informed analysis. A must-read for senior military leaders, those interested in the region, and anyone seeking insight into national security decision making.""—Gen. Joseph Dunford, USMC (Ret.) former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Commandant of the Marine Corps, and Commander in Afghanistan ""General McKenzie’s The Melting Point is a riveting and clear-eyed account of U.S. military engagement in the Middle East and Afghanistan between 2019 and 2022. It is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of the Middle East, the contest between the U.S. and Iran; the U.S. and ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and the Taliban; and the general calculations of U.S. power. Gen. McKenzie’s book follows in the tradition of other military leaders who have shared their experiences, a tradition that stretches all the way back to Roman times. It is a tribute to the values of an open society, and a tribute to General McKenzie, who is a strong believer in civilian control of the military, that a top general shares his experience not only with civilian leaders, but with the general public that is the ultimate authority in a democratic society.""—Dr. Paul Salem, President and CEO, Middle East Institute ""General Frank McKenzie USMC is the embodiment of the meritocracy that is the U.S. Armed Forces, an institution like no other in the United States. Over four decades General McKenzie commanded at every level and served in ever more demanding staff assignments as well—in peacetime and in combat. Through his many years of service, he achieved the leadership, thinking, staff and decision-making skills that are common in our military men and women, and an understanding that war is indeed a political act and one that should be used in most instances as a last resort. He also came to understand, as all senior officers eventually come to understand, that what drives decisions on one side of the Potomac River is oftentimes vastly different than what takes place on the northern side of that river. The filters used to view issues are not even understood by most in the military. There are endless lessons to be gleaned from this superb work, and it is well worth the read and study by policy makers on both sides of the river.""—Gen. John Kelly, USMC (Ret.), former Commander U.S. Southern Command, Secretary of Homeland Security, and Chief of Staff to the President ""A superb, exceedingly forthright, and very compelling reflection by an exceptional military leader who strived to accomplish tough missions in hard places against determined enemies – as wavering support in Washington repeatedly undermined the effort on the ground. A must read for political and military leaders – and a very instructive chronicle for all Americans as we assess our important role in the world.""—Gen. David Petraeus, USA (Ret.), former Commander of the Surge in Iraq, US Central Command, and Coalition Forces in Afghanistan, former Director of the CIA, co-author of Conflict: The Evolution of Warfare from 1945 to Ukraine"