The Great Game
Control asia control the world.
As an aside that article references a wikileak document of Prince Andrew talking candidly to an ambassador of Kyrgyzstan.
http://wikileaks.ch/cable/2008/10/08BISHKEK1095.html
Amongst the gems in this leak was this
PLAYING THE GREAT GAME (BY EXTENSION THE AMERICANS TOO)
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¶9. (C) Addressing the Ambassador directly, Prince Andrew
then turned to regional politics. He stated baldly that "the
United Kingdom, Western Europe (and by extension you
Americans too") were now back in the thick of playing the
Great Game. More animated than ever, he stated cockily: "And
this time we aim to win!"
Nice to know the royal family are a harmless bunch who dont meddle in politics and just busy themselves opening shopping centers
Classic stuff:
¶13. (C) The brunch had already lasted almost twice its
allotted time, but the Prince looked like he was just getting
started. Having exhausted the topic of Kyrgyzstan, he turned
to the general issue of promoting British economic interests
abroad. He railed at British anti-corruption investigators,
who had had the "idiocy" of almost scuttling the Al-Yamama
deal with Saudi Arabia. (NOTE: The Duke was referencing an
investigation, subsequently closed, into alleged kickbacks a
senior Saudi royal had received in exchange for the
multi-year, lucrative BAE Systems contract to provide
equipment and training to Saudi security forces. END NOTE.)
His mother's subjects seated around the table roared their
approval. He then went on to "these (expletive) journalists,
especially from the National Guardian, who poke their noses
everywhere" and (presumably) make it harder for British
businessmen to do business. The crowd practically clapped.
He then capped this off with a zinger: castigating "our
stupid (sic) British and American governments which plan at
best for ten years whereas people in this part of the world
plan for centuries." There were calls of "hear, hear" in the
private brunch hall. Unfortunately for the assembled British
subjects, their cherished Prince was now late to the Prime
Minister's. He regretfully tore himself away from them and
they from him. On the way out, one of them confided to the
Ambassador: "What a wonderful representative for the British
people! We could not be prouder of our royal family!"