Staff Reports
Viktor Bout, once dubbed the “Merchant of Death,” is apparently relishing his return to arms dealing, and it’s thanks to the Biden administration’s decision to trade an arms dealer for a WNBA player. The infamous Russian arms trafficker is reportedly back at it, reportedly negotiating an eye-popping $10 million deal for small arms with the Houthis. This is not exactly a plot twist that screams “American diplomacy is winning,” but at this point, who’s counting?
After serving a 25-year sentence in the United States, Bout was released in a swap for Brittney Griner in late 2022, making waves worldwide. Now, only a short time later, he’s reportedly reconnected with his old associates and is feeding the flames of conflict once more. His come-back tour includes the very small arms of the AK-74 variety, while others, including Kornet anti-tank missiles, are still firmly on the wishlist of the Houthis. It’s a little frustrating to think Bout might not be all-in on the chaos; after all, the last thing the world needs is another arms dealer operating with impunity.
Viktor Bout back in business selling weapons to Houthis after Griner prisoner swap https://t.co/kBCTWU9ykx via @dcexaminer
— Larry 🇺🇸🇮🇱 (@larryp09) October 7, 2024
Bout’s career path was born from the ashes of the Soviet Union. As the great U.S. armchair warriors might say, the man has had quite the career trajectory. With plenty of escapades selling weapons to insurgencies across countries like Africa and South America, he was finally arrested in a dramatic sting operation. The lesson here? Never underestimate the power of a sting, especially when it involves weapons trafficking. But clearly, the Biden administration’s decision to exchange such a notorious dealer for a basketball star didn’t quite pan out as a genius diplomatic move.
Since his return to mother Russia, Bout has been cozying up to the Kremlin, engaging in political activities, including making his media rounds and joining the ultranationalist Liberal Democratic Party. He’s been vocal about his appreciation for Putin and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In an age where everyone seems ready to vie for their 15 minutes of fame, it seems Bout is no different, opting to present his artistic talents to the world rather than stick to his guns – at least for a short while.
Despite Bout dismissing the rumors of his arms dealings as “unfounded accusations,” the voices echoing from his Kremlin backers also attempt to quash the story as a form of “fake news.” But with shipments expected to commence under the guise of food supplies, one can’t help but think that this reeks of a veil. When the news cycle swings back into gear, it’s hard to believe that anyone thinks the optics of this trade aren’t an absolute mess. While Bout capitalizes on the naïveté of the U.S. foreign policy team, it begs the question: who will be the next player exchanged in such a dubious swap? Keep the popcorn handy; this saga is bound to get messy.
