(VOVworld) - General Martin Dempsey, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, says NATO members must acknowledge that the alliance is facing “multiple complex” threats.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Martin Dempsey at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on "Counter-ISIL Strategy" in Washington on July 7, 2015. (File photo: VOA)

At a NATO meeting in Istanbul, last Saturday, NATO defense chiefs discussed security issues including the support mission in Afghanistan, ensuring security on NATO’s eastern flank, and the fight against the Islamic State.

General Martin said Turkey has a crucial role in helping NATO fight the IS. In July, Turkey opened its Incirlik airbase for use by the US warplanes and has joined NATO air raids on IS targets.