Passage Summary: Once their common enemy disappeared after the Cold War, former allies found it harder to get along and had to be very careful not to let old, ignored problems ruin their relationship.

Reasoning: International relations among former allies became more difficult after the Cold War, requiring careful economic negotiations to manage previously ignored tensions.

Analysis: The stimulus describes a shift in social and political dynamics where the removal of a major external pressure (the Cold War) allowed internal friction to surface. It seems that while the allies were united against a common threat, they were willing to overlook economic disagreements that now require active, tactful management. It’s a bit like roommates who only get along because they both hate the landlord; once the landlord is gone, they realize they actually disagree about how to do the dishes. Look for a principle that suggests external conflicts can mask or suppress internal divisions among allies.