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

 

 

 

[JonnyF]

Because that fool Brittney Griner couldn't go on a trip without taking her weed with her. 

 

Oh, and because the Biden administration saw a good opportunity to parade their "Liberal/Woke" credentials by publicly supporting a black, lesbian athlete by unleashing a major arms trader back on the world. 

 

Great job guys. 

 

 

[spidermike007]

This is likely a partnership deal he made with Putin, who would do anything to make a buck. 

 

There is no moral equivalency between arming Ukraine and arming the Houthis. Only a morally bankrupt fool like Steve Zissou would claim something so ignorant. 

[Kerryd]

Well, the US arrested him under somewhat shady circumstances to begin with. They sent ATF agents posing as Columbian rebels to Thailand to meet Bout.
"They" wanted to buy anti-aircraft missiles and the US (and ONLY the US) had a law against selling those things and trumped up some charges of Bout being an accessory to "killing Americans".

Bout shows up in Thailand and gets arrested. Russia protested and even Thailand realized they shouldn't have allowed it to happen (as he hadn't broken any Thai laws) but they claimed he had "visa issues".

Then the Americans tried to do an end run around the Thai gov't because they thought the Thais might release him and deport him back to Mother Russia (they were only holding him on visa related charges after all).

So the Americans, assisted by some "friends" in the Thai police - snuck Bout out of his jail cell and tried to get him to the airport where the Americans (as in, probably the CIA) had a plane waiting to smuggle him out of the country.

But they were caught and Bout was sent back to jail.

And then, for whatever reason, Thailand gave into America's demands and extradited him to the US.

And then an American female basketball player gets caught smuggling drugs through a Russian airport.

But ! She's "black" and "LGBTQ" and it's the "evil Russians" so everyone feels sorry for her and forgets WHY she was arrested in the first place.

All the public saw was a poor (lol) black LGBTQ woman being held in a Russian prison. Remember that ? It's like there was a news story in the media every weeks about her.

And finally the US had to make a deal to free her.

So they left even MORE deserving Americans in Russian prison and traded her for Bout just to appease the public.

And the drug smuggler got a hero's welcome when she got back to the USA.

Probably the first time that's ever happened.

[Chomper Higgot]

11 hours ago, JonnyF said:

Because that fool Brittney Griner couldn't go on a trip without taking her weed with her. 

 

Oh, and because the Biden administration saw a good opportunity to parade their "Liberal/Woke" credentials by publicly supporting a black, lesbian athlete by unleashing a major arms trader back on the world. 

 

Great job guys. 

 

 

If it had not been Griner it would have been some other American held by Russia as a bargaining chip. 
 

Griner received support from the Biden administration because she’s an American citizen, I understand this might be difficult for you to accept given the British Government now’s next to sweet FA to help its citizens in difficulty overseas.

Edited 2 hours ago by Chomper Higgot

[pacovl46]

The Americans used this guy extensively to supply weapons to countries the US couldn't be seen dealing weapons to and then they made him the fall guy...

[Chomper Higgot]

21 minutes ago, pacovl46 said:

The Americans used this guy extensively to supply weapons to countries the US couldn't be seen dealing weapons to and then they made him the fall guy...

Link?