The context clues that would be most helpful in figuring out the meaning of impotent as it is used in the excerpt are:
Ever since the demilitarization
AND
the Crutches
Explanation:
The word impotent means helpless or powerless. It refers to someone who cannot do something, who cannot take action, as well as to someone who needs help. In the context it appeared, this word could have been understood with the help of the context clues "the Crutches" and "Ever since the demilitarization". <u>Crutches, as we know, are instruments used to help someone move when they cannot do it on their own. Figuratively speaking, a crutch is anything that supports a person who has or faces disability of any kind in life. Demilitarization means removing or extinguishing military forces. Both words, "crutches" and "demilitarization" convey a sense of lack of power, which then leads to the meaning of impotent.</u>
