Bifurcation---the separation of something from that which it was previously joined with.
In econometric modeling, it was always a discontinuity, or non-linear change.
For months, I walked by a guard post and said good morning and goodnight to the Georgian troops.
The next morning, they were all gone.
In Iraq, the US was negotiating a departure. So were the Brits. Their negotiations failed,; they were gone.
Stuff happens. Not always under our control.
Often perceived differently by locals.
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