New US CENTCOM chief named for Mid-East and AFghanistan

Lt. Gen. Kenneth McKenzie has been chosen as the next commander of US Central Command, which oversees US troops in the Middle East and Central Asia, when Gen. Joseph Votel retires next spring. He will also be promoted to General, receiving a fourth star. McKenzie currently serves in the Pentagon as the Director of the Joint Staff. His selection requires confirmation by Congress. From its headquarters in Tampa, Florida, CENTCOM’s area of command stretches from Egypt to Pakistan.