Military matters cannot be an open book and secrecy is indeed important. However Mr Trump's claims that surprise has been stupidly given up bears little scrutiny. Mr Trump certainly plays his own strategic cards close to his chest. His policy towards stifling IS is a secret known only to himself.
Others might call it a mystery, since in broad strategic terms, the tools available to any US administration are broadly the same. It is their combination and the success with which they are applied that determine the outcome.
There is no secret, as yet unapplied, option that is going to suddenly turn this battle in favour of the West and its Arab allies.