English
1. After months of border clashes, the neutral ______ that once kept the rival armies apart have almost completely disappeared.
- buffer zones
- trade quotas
- anthems
- currencies
Answer and explanation
A. buffer zones
Only 'buffer zones' fits: buffer zones are neutral areas separating rival powers, which matches the source key 'distance' for collapsed strategic separation. Quotas, anthems, and currencies cannot keep armies apart.