What made refueling at Djibouti less desirable during the time of the Cole attack?

The correctness of choosing that refueling at Djibouti was less desirable during the time of the Cole attack due to the deteriorating situation arising from the Eritrea-Ethiopia war stems from the increase in geopolitical instability in the region. When neighboring conflicts escalate, the overall security environment can deteriorate sharply, making certain locations far less favorable for military operations. Djibouti, given its proximity to these conflicts, would have been impacted by safety concerns, more unreliable logistics, and potentially hostile actions, rendering it a poor choice for refueling operations at that time.

Other factors, although relevant, did not primarily dictate the undesirability of Djibouti. Issues like piracy, while significant in nearby waters, would not have been the immediate cause for military refuel decisions in a conflict context. Similarly, while fuel supplies are always a consideration, the report suggests that the geopolitical instability caused by the war was a more pressing concern for military operations and missions. Lastly, geographical distance from operational zones, while it may affect logistics, would typically be secondary to immediate security threats due to ongoing military conflicts in the region.