Kong Mesh 2.6 introduces a range of features designed to enhance the flexibility, usability, and security of service mesh environments, facilitating easier adoption for new users and delivering a more powerful product. The update allows for smoother transitions from single-zone to multi-zone setups through federation, eliminating the standalone mode and enabling the addition of a global control plane at any time. Usability improvements include the default implementation of TargetRef policies and the MeshMetric policy, which enhance observability and allow for granular configuration of metrics, supporting open telemetry. On the security front, users can now manage policies directly within their zones, reducing reliance on the global control plane and allowing service owners more autonomy, while also integrating with Kubernetes and gitOps for policy management. Overall, Kong Mesh 2.6 aims to align with organizational goals by offering a versatile and reliable service mesh solution that leverages both on-premise and SaaS capabilities.