In the vacuum of a policy, with a strong sense that something dramatic must be done but with a strong aversion to becoming committed to nation building (or even consistent programs to help domestic allies in the countries in question), President Trump is turning to the military for one-off, ad hoc air or special forces strikes.

These strikes give the illusion (as much to the new President as anyone else one suspects) that something useful is being achieved.  Instead, friend and foe (domestic and foreign) are left with the growing impression that US leadership is in chaos (a chaos mane infinitely worse because of the frenetic use of military power for short term ends as objectives spin from one extreme to another without notice on an almost daily basis.

The military advisors may be welcome 'adults in the room' in this context but their role is confined to the design and execution of strikes on demand, not advising on the wisdom of undertaking such stikes.