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[syoshioka99]

The evolving consensus is that the United States is morally obliged to align itself with revolutionary movements in the Middle East as a kind of compensation for its Cold War policies (invariably described as "misguided"), in which it cooperated with non-democratic governments in the region for security objectives. Then, it is alleged, supporting fragile governments in the name of international stability generated long-term instability. Even granting that some of the Cold War policies were continued beyond their utility, the Cold War structure lasted 30 years and induced decisive strategic transformations, such as Egypt's abandonment of its alliance with the Soviet Union and the signing of the Camp David Accords. If the pattern now emerging fails to establish an appropriate relationship to its proclaimed goals, it risks being inherently unstable from its very inception, which could submerge the values it proclaimed.


[questions]
Kissinger wrote this artitle.
1) 1st sentence
Can you rephrase "evolving consensus" so non-native speakers understand the phrase it easily?

2) What does "their" refer to, as in "Even granting that some of the Cold War policies were continued beyond their utility"?

3) Please rephrase or define the word "utility" as in "Even granting that some of the Cold War policies were continued beyond their utility. "

Thanks in advance!

(source: http://www.henryakissinger.com/articles/iht040212.htm)

[IanT]

1) evolving consensus= "what people are now starting to agree..."

2) their= of the policies

3) utility = usefulness, relevance

Best wishes,
ian
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[syoshioka99]