"WASHINGTON - Climate change will not be included in an important Pentagon strategy document set to be unveiled in January, the No. 2 official at the U.S. Defense Department said on Thursday.

Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan told reporters that not mentioning climate change did not mean it was no longer a priority for the U.S. military.

The Pentagon strategy document, known as the National Defense Strategy, sets the priorities and direction for the U.S. military."

Idrees Ali reports for Reuters December 21, 2017. [2]