Viktor Bout Returns to Arms Dealing: Broker of Death in New Houthi Deal

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Viktor Bout, the infamous Russian arms dealer once dubbed the "Merchant of Death," is reportedly back in the arms trade less than two years after his release from U.S. imprisonment. Bout, who had been serving a lengthy sentence for arms trafficking, was released in a high-profile prisoner exchange for American basketball player Brittney Griner in 2022. His latest venture involves brokering a deal to supply small arms to the Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen.

 

Bout, now 57, gained notoriety for his role in the global arms trade, with his life even serving as inspiration for the 2005 Hollywood film *Lord of War*, in which Nicolas Cage portrayed a character based on Bout. For years, Bout supplied Soviet-made weaponry across Africa, South America, and the Middle East, earning himself a reputation as one of the world’s most notorious arms traffickers. His career came to a halt in 2008 when he was arrested in a U.S. sting operation. 

 

After his release, Bout joined a pro-Kremlin far-right political party and secured a seat in a local assembly in 2023. His involvement in official politics seemed to signal a shift away from his arms-dealing past. However, recent reports indicate otherwise. When Houthi representatives traveled to Moscow in August 2023, ostensibly to negotiate the purchase of pesticides and vehicles, they found themselves dealing with the familiar figure of Viktor Bout. According to a European security official and others familiar with the negotiations, Bout was involved in brokering a deal for $10 million worth of automatic weapons. 

 

Though these arms have yet to be delivered, the potential deal has raised alarms. U.S. officials are concerned that Russia might escalate its involvement in the Yemen conflict by providing more advanced weaponry to the Houthis, especially as tensions between Washington and Moscow continue over the war in Ukraine. So far, there is no indication that Bout or Russia is involved in the sale of more sophisticated arms, such as anti-ship or anti-air missiles, which could significantly impact U.S. military operations in the region. The Biden administration remains on alert for any such developments, as the provision of even small arms to the Houthis would be seen as a serious provocation.

 

Steve Zissou, a New York attorney who represented Bout during his trial in the U.S., has remained tight-lipped on whether his client is indeed involved in the recent dealings with the Houthis. "Viktor Bout has not been in the transportation business for over twenty years," Zissou said, while also suggesting that if Bout were acting under the orders of the Russian government, it would be no different from the U.S. arming Ukraine. 

 

The Houthis, designated a terrorist organization by Washington, have long sought Russian-made weaponry. Their recent trip to Moscow, while officially under the guise of trade discussions, included a visit to a Lada car factory, but the true purpose appears to have been arms-related. Whether Bout’s involvement is sanctioned directly by the Kremlin or merely tolerated remains unclear. The Russian government has not commented on the matter, and a Houthi spokesman has also declined to respond.

 

If completed, this deal would represent a new chapter in Bout’s long and controversial career, marking his return to the international arms market, a world he once dominated. The sale, if successful, could further complicate the already fragile situation in the Middle East and deepen Russia’s involvement in regional conflicts.

 

Based on a report from WSJ 2024-10-08