WASHINGTON —
The 20 countries that make up the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility are as diverse and unique as any in the world, but they also present a vexing set of challenges, Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr. told the Senate Armed Forces Committee today.
McKenzie made his remarks during his confirmation hearing to be the next commander of Centcom. If confirmed, the existing director of the Joint Staff would also be promoted to the rank of general.
“We have vital strategic interest in the Central Command area of responsibility and we're going to need to stay engaged to address these issues,” McKenzie told the committee.
“Under [its current commander, Army Gen. Joseph L. Votel], Central Command has fostered outstanding relationships across its area of responsibility with myriad senior civilian and military leaders including those from Egypt, Jordan, the [Persian] Gulf States and across Central Asia,” he said.
McKenzie said Votel also has worked tirelessly with the State Department, the Agency for International Development, and a host of other government and nongovernment organizations, and pledged to continue those interactions.
“The work of our colleagues in the Department of State is critical and if confirmed, supporting them will be a very high priority for me personally, and interaction with…
