I made a proposal kinda like this that also allowed for changing location using a key and mouse click on the strategic map.

original thread.  https://forums.ashesofthesingularity.com/475333/page/1/#3619882

Text:

"Strategic zoom - ok I understand the DEV's not wanting this.  Can we have a compromise?  Make a hotkey that brings up the strategic map and change the mouse functionality on the strategic map so that clicking causes the strategic map to minimize and the display to immediately (not pan) context switch to the area you clicked on.  Think of the General saying "put region 19 on the main display".  You could select units, key-open strategic map, click where you want the units to interact, issue command to units.  Much better and faster than panning and allows you to see the whole map at once...  This should require no engine changes and not change the feel of the game but still give the ability to work across vast areas."

We could combine the ideas with a settings slider for the zoom on the closing of the strategic map.