What's the plan to beat ISIS?

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A decision by the federal cabinet on renewing Canada's combat mission against the Islamic State is expected soon, but calls are getting louder for the Harper government to present some comprehensive war strategy beyond the military campaign.

It's widely expected that the federal government will deliver a motion to the House of Commons some time in the next couple of weeks, to renew and possibly reshape the commitment of warplanes and special forces against extremists in northern Iraq.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has recently cast the conflict in wider terms, saying the terrorist organization and its affiliated jihadists have "declared war on Canada specifically."

But analysts and critics say he and his ministers rarely discuss what specific diplomatic, development and humanitarian measures are needed to tackle the instability and sectarian divisions that feed the conflict.

Nipa Banerjee, who ran development for Canada in Afghanistan, says post-war planning needs to be done now and not — as in both Iraq and Afghanistan — after the fighting ends.

Anthony Cordesman, of the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, says war fighting is necessary, but there must be a broader, political strategy among the U.S. and its allies.