Former CENTCOM commander joins pro-'Israel' organization
7 Min Read
Recently retired General Frank McKenzie's involvement will bolster the credibility of JINSA's positions, which are aligned with Likud's perspectives on Middle Eastern affairs.
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Marine Corps General Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., former Commander of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), poses for a picture during his visit to a military base in al-Kharj in central Saudi Arabia, July 18, 2019. (AFP via Getty Images)
Despite serious concerns regarding potential Israeli war crimes and even "plausible" acts of genocidal acts during its aggression on in the Gaza Strip, retired General Frank McKenzie, former chief of US Central Command (CENTCOM), has accepted a fellowship from one of Washington's most hawkish pro-"Israel" organizations, Responsible Statecraft reported.
The Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA) recently announced that Gen. McKenzie, who led CENTCOM from 2019 to April 2022, would be appointed as the Hertog Distinguished Fellow at JINSA's Gemunder Center for Defense and Strategy.
JINSA, previously known as the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs, was a prominent advocate for the US invasion of Iraq 21 years ago. It has consistently advocated for more aggressive military policies towards Iran, including supporting Israeli capacity to target Iran's nuclear facilities and backing "Israel" should it choose to take action.
“We are thrilled and honored to have Gen [sic] McKenzie join JINSA,” said Michael Makovsky, the group’s president and CEO.
“As a former CENTCOM commander and J-5, he will be an invaluable source and contributor to JINSA’s work on U.S. strategic challenges and opportunities in the Mideast, and how to bolster the US-Israel security relationship,” he added.
The big picture
JINSA's press release emphasized McKenzie's oversight as CENTCOM commander during the assassination of al-Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani in January 2020.
In addition to advocating for pro-''Israel" policy positions, JINSA has primarily focused on organizing "educational programs" and exchanges between US and Israeli military officers since its establishment nearly 50 years ago.
According to its current mission statement, JINSA believes that "Israel" is the most capable and crucial US security partner in the 21st century, and that a robust America is essential for safeguarding Western civilization.
Throughout the ongoing Israeli genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, JINSA has regularly hosted webinars featuring senior retired Israeli military officers and has provided near-daily email updates on "Operation Swords of Iron," largely aligning with the Israeli government's narrative of the campaign.
JINSA has also defended "Israel" against mounting accusations by international human rights groups and UN experts regarding allegations of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. These allegations were deemed "plausible" by the International Court of Justice in January.
Dive deeper
McKenzie is the first former CENTCOM commander to formally affiliate himself with JINSA. However, the organization's pool of "experts" includes several other former regional commanders, such as Adm. James Stavridis, who served as commander of both SOUTHCOM and EUCOM, and Gen. David Rodriguez, the former AFRICOM commander, as per Responsible Statecraft's report.
Additionally, JINSA's experts encompass retired senior military officers and well-known neoconservatives. These neoconservatives, many of whom served in various capacities in the George W. Bush administration, played significant roles in promoting the 2003 Iraq invasion and subsequent occupation. Notable figures among them include Elliott Abrams, I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, John Hannah, Eric Edelman, and Robert Joseph.
JINSA's director, Makovsky, relocated to "Israel" at a young age and later worked on Iraq-related matters in the Pentagon under Rumsfeld. Subsequently, he served as the foreign policy director at the Bipartisan Policy Center, where he led a task force that produced highly hawkish reports on Iran starting in 2008. Upon assuming leadership of JINSA in 2013, Makovsky transferred most of the BPC task force staff and advisers to JINSA.
A big fish
For JINSA, McKenzie's acceptance of a fellowship represents a significant acquisition, given his recent tenure as chief of CENTCOM, which encompasses a vast region from Egypt to Pakistan and Central Asia. During his leadership, "Israel", traditionally under EUCOM's jurisdiction due to tensions with Arab states in the region, was integrated into CENTCOM—a pivotal development for both "Israel" and JINSA.
This integration was made possible by the normalization of ties between "Israel", the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain in 2022. According to a JINSA report, "Israel's" inclusion in CENTCOM enables strategic and operational coordination among the United States, "Israel", and Arab partners against common threats, particularly Iran.
McKenzie's oversight of the assassination of Soleimani further underscores his significance to JINSA, as per the report.
This operation, reportedly aided by Israeli intelligence, highlights McKenzie's direct engagement with the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) and military leaders of Arab partners—a dynamic that aligns with JINSA's objectives. Moreover, McKenzie's association with JINSA complements the organization's collaboration with Israeli Distinguished Fellows, such as Major Gen. Amikam Norkin and Major Gen. (ret.) Yaakov Amidror, both "esteemed" veterans of the IOF.
While McKenzie refrained from publicly challenging US policy during his tenure at CENTCOM, his retirement has seen him adopt a more vocal stance. He criticized the Biden administration's response to Resistance operations in Syria and Iraq, as well as by Ansar Allah in Yemen. In a Wall Street Journal op-ed, McKenzie advocated for a more assertive approach, emphasizing the need for deterrence against Iran through decisive action.
While McKenzie's remarks may resonate with JINSA's neoconservative backers and experts, he has also expressed divergent views. During a recent appearance on CBS News' "Face the Nation," McKenzie clarified that he was not advocating for military strikes on Iran, but rather emphasizing the importance of not entirely dismissing that option.
Furthermore, his comments regarding the Israeli aggression on Gaza deviate from JINSA's stance. Instead of solely focusing on the civilian casualties and destruction, McKenzie implicitly criticized "Israel's" leadership for not articulating a clear vision for the conclusion of the military campaign, the report stressed.
In contrast, JINSA and Abrams' Vandenberg Coalition have been promoting their collaborative proposal for an "end-state," the report emphasized.
Their plan focuses on the involvement of Arab states, particularly Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt, in overseeing and financing the relief, reconstruction, and "deradicalization" efforts in Gaza. However, they advocate for security to be maintained by "capable national forces from outside the Middle East and/or private security contractors," closely coordinated with "Israel". Under their proposal, "Israel" would maintain its freedom to take military action throughout the Strip, effectively retaining control akin to occupation under a different guise, as per the report.
Regarding the two-state solution, the proposal acknowledges the importance of endorsing a "long-term political horizon for two states" that is recognized by all parties involved. However, it warns against rushing into quick fixes, high-level diplomatic efforts, elections, and the reunification of the West Bank and Gaza, as these actions are likely to have negative consequences. Instead, it emphasizes the need for a comprehensive and lengthy process before initiating a revived "peace process".
Furthermore, the proposal suggested that any "coalition of the willing" formed to “strengthening shared US.-Israel-Arab interests in resisting Iran-led hegemony,” This approach aligns with Gen. McKenzie's strengths in CENTCOM and emphasizes the importance of strategic cooperation in the region, the report concluded.
