Merchant of Death: Putin’s Arms Dealer Back in Business Amid Middle Eastern Conflict
America ı By Jackie Allen
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Infamous Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, also known as the "Merchant of Death," is back in the spotlight two years after being exchanged for U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner.
The 57-year-old former arms dealer, who has long been associated with supplying weapons to conflict zones, is reportedly once again involved in the deadly trade. Now he’s selling arms to the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen.
Bout’s notorious career, which inspired the 2005 Hollywood film "Lord of War" starring Nicolas Cage, spans decades.
He made his fortune by supplying Soviet-made weapons to various factions in Africa, South America, and the Middle East. In 2008, he was finally arrested in a U.S. sting operation. And was ultimately convicted on charges of conspiracy to kill U.S. citizens and delivery of anti-aircraft missiles.
After spending a decade behind bars, Bout was released in a high-profile prisoner swap for Brittney Griner in 2022. Griner had been jailed Russia for possession of a small amount of cannabis oil.
Upon his return to Russia, Bout received a hero's welcome and soon after ventured into politics.
Escalating Tensions: 2nd US Airstrike Targets Iran-Backed Houthis - USA Herald
Houthis Attack U.S. Ship in Gulf of Aden - USA Herald
Merchant of Death Runs for Office
It appeared that Bout had shifted his focus to politics, when he joined a pro-Kremlin ultra-nationalist party. And he even won a seat in a local assembly in 2023.
But just when it seemed like his days of arms dealing were behind him Putin tasked him with a new project.
In August 2024, Houthi emissaries visiting Moscow to negotiate a $10 million arms deal encountered Bout. According to security officials, Putin has reactivated Bout to broker this deal, reinforcing Russia’s ties with Iran.
The Iranian-backed Houthis have been seizing ships in the Red Sea as part of Iran’s proxy wars. They are seeking small arms such as rifles and grenades—potentially to aid their efforts in capturing vessels in the Red Sea.
As the Middle East continues to destabilize, Bout's reemergence comes at a critical time in the relationship between Moscow and Tehran. It also signals that Russia is gearing up for more war.
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