Staff Reports
Viktor Bout, the notorious “Merchant of Death,” is back in the arms-dealing business, and this time, he has a fresh batch of customers. Recently released from U.S. captivity as part of the infamous prisoner swap for WNBA star Brittney Griner, Bout is no longer just a resident of Russian penal colonies but now a prominent figure in the Kremlin’s arms trade. Who knew that a stint in a U.S. prison could be such a lucrative career move?
First making headlines in 2009 when he was nabbed in a U.S. sting operation in Thailand, Bout was convicted in 2011 for conspiracy to murder Americans and support terrorism. He was sentenced to 25 years but got out early thanks to the Biden administration, which made a questionable trade to bring Griner home after she was caught with cannabis vape cartridges. While Griner’s arrest was unfortunate, trading a weaponized terrorist for a basketball player raised eyebrows across the political spectrum. Bout had served just 12 years, but evidently, that’s enough time in the mind of the administration to merit a swap.
Shocking to no one, the Merchant of Death, who the US traded the Russians for Brittney Griner is now back in the arms business.
How many Americans are going to die now because of this?
Your country hates you.https://t.co/GHglHqhgJg
— Notalia (@NotaliaMateo) October 7, 2024
Since his release, Bout has seamlessly transitioned back into his old life, this time with a side of celebrity. Not only did he return to the arms business, but he’s also found success running for a local assembly position, proving that in Russia, the American judicial system has simply become an interesting footnote in one’s bio. No longer just an arms dealer, he has become a pundit on Russian TV, discussing both current events and his favorite pastime: selling firearms.
Bout didn’t waste time getting back in the game either. Representatives from the Houthi rebels recently visited Moscow, where they expressed interest in purchasing $10 million worth of automatic weapons. The irony of a man once labeled a “Merchant of Death” eagerly greeting potential buyers is not lost on anyone with a sense of humor—or a sense of international security. The U.S. administration might have thought they could keep Bout under control post-release, a delusion that would make a good sitcom premise, but reality has proven otherwise.
It’s worth noting that while the arms in this specific deal may be limited to small arms like AK-74s—an upgraded version of the Soviet classic AK-47—the implications are much more significant. The Houthis, classified as a terrorist organization by Washington, could receive additional firepower, potentially escalating violence in a region already fraught with tension. Russia’s strategic partnerships, particularly with Iran, have made U.S. officials understandably jittery, yet the American Response has been as effective as a screen door on a submarine.
Despite the Biden administration’s reassurances that they had evaluated the risks of Bout’s release, the outcome speaks for itself. The trade is symbolic of a larger issue—caving into foreign adversaries and exposing American interests to greater harm. Trading a high-profile arms dealer for a sports star was a diplomatic move best left on the cutting room floor. While every American deserves freedom, the price paid for Griner’s release came with significant security risks, leaving many wondering what alternatives the administration overlooked.
