Strait of Hormuz Standoff: Iran’s Supreme National Security Council says the strait won’t reopen until the US “corrects” its behavior, including ending the naval blockade, lifting sanctions, releasing frozen assets, and paying compensation—while the UAE says an Iranian missile targeted one of its ships. Gaza Security Roadmap: US-backed Board of Peace envoy Nickolay Mladenov argues full implementation of a Hamas disarmament plan is Israel’s only “guarantee” to prevent Oct. 7 repeating, as Netanyahu rejects the roadmap and halts a small IDF pullout. Yemen Red Sea Pressure: Houthi forces claim attacks on Yemen’s Mokha port and a drone strike on Saudi Aramco’s Jazan refinery, as fighting threatens shipping stability. Regional Defense Architecture: Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Pakistan’s “Mecca” joint defense deal is framed as collective defense, with officials stressing it is not aimed at any single country. Energy Governance Watch: In the Philippines, the DOE faces mounting criticism over worsening Visayas power supply alerts, with calls for faster, practical fixes. Cost-of-Living Policy: The UK think tank Resolution Foundation urges a targeted gas and electricity discount scheme for low-income households to blunt winter bill shocks tied to the Iran war.