Truth Will Set You Free

The original meaning of the "Great Game" (from the Russian perspective, it was the Tournament of Shadows) referred to a political and military rivalry between the British and Russian Empires in Central Asia that lasted from the 19th century until 1907. It was a competition to gain influence and control over Central Asia, including Afghanistan, Persia, and Tibet. The British were concerned about Russia's expansion in Central Asia and wanted to protect British India from a Russian invasion. Russia wanted to expand its territory and create one of the largest land-based empires in history. The Great Game included military interventions, diplomatic negotiations, and the occupation of cities and states in Central Asia. The British fought two Anglo-Afghan Wars against Russia, from 1838 to 1842 and 1878 to 1880. The Great Game ended with the Anglo-Russian Convention of 1907, when the two empires recognized each other's claims and focused on competing with Germany. In general terms, "The Great Game" refers to a conflict between two major rivals over limited resources, whether it be land, minerals, "hearts and minds", or other sundries.

Whatever the CIA did to the Russian mercenary's boots to "distress" them to make them look "used" on the outside, the inside of the boot would almost certainly not feel the same way to his feet, which had likely broken them in over time.