Trump slashed the National Security Council staff from roughly 200 to less than 100 in the past year, sources say.
Former officials say the reduced NSC missed opportunities to coordinate with allies and assess Iran's willingness to close the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump has relied on a small group of advisers rather than the broad network of experts that typically inform war planning.
AI-generated summary was reviewed by a CNN editor.
Worried about a president who seemed to be flying by the seat of his pants as he waged war, Congress stepped in to establish a council of experts to advise the president, gathering information from across the government to consider the consequences and effects of military action.
