Red Sea Security & Shipping: Saudi Arabia and partners are moving from planning to activation for a 14-state Multinational Maritime Defense Alliance to protect the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, with Djibouti among the signatories—while fresh Houthi strikes keep raising the cost and risk for commercial routes. Djibouti’s Role in Regional Trade: A Horn of Africa Initiative trade facilitation roadmap validation workshop in Nairobi agreed priorities with Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and South Sudan ahead of a ministerial meeting in Addis Ababa. Anti-Piracy Operations: Japan deployed a Kawasaki P-1 patrol aircraft to Djibouti to support anti-piracy enforcement off Somalia, underscoring Djibouti’s logistics and security value. Maritime Compliance Tech: BetterSea launched “Stylianos,” an AI agent inside its compliance platform to help shipping firms handle emissions rules, including Djibouti carbon taxes. Construction & Housing Investment: Somalia’s public works minister met investors from Turkey, Djibouti and Sudan to push affordable housing and infrastructure projects, with Djibouti’s ambassador attending. Regional Industry Note: Farmers and traders in Kenya’s miraa sector are pushing to declassify khat to unlock more export markets, with Somalia cited as a major buyer.