So now comes word that Viktor Bout, the so-called “Merchant of Death” Russian arms dealer, is back to selling arms to America’s enemies after being traded by the Biden administration to Putin for WNBA player Brittney Griner. Who’da thunk it?
Actually — we did.
From the December 22, 2022 Ops Desk:
Why did Putin want him so badly?
There is, first, the propaganda effect. Bout allows Putin to crow about “never leaving a man behind.” In light of Bout’s reported GRU connections (that is, Russian military intel), this is a good look for Vlad — especially as a former KGB officer himself, who runs his nation through his former KGB cronies.
And a time when the war in Ukraine is going less-than-perfectly, a propaganda win for the general public on his homefront doesn’t hurt either
But then there are Bout’s undeniable capabilities. He is a known money launderer and arms dealer, with global contacts. At a time when Russia desperately needs hard currency and is seeking alliances for weapons sales with the likes of Iran… well, you get the picture.
A last subtlety that Bout brings to the table: A maniacal hatred for the west, especially America. And you can’t imagine he feels much better about us after a dozen years in jail.
Personally, it seems all-but obvious that this entire thing was a Russian intel operation, well-executed. More on that next time.
I somehow feel we haven’t heard the last of Viktor Bout….
(Bout, being extradited to the U.S. from Thailand in 2010, two years after his DEA arrest)
Now, according to this Wall Street Journal report, Bout is indeed back to his old ways. In this case, by dealing arms to the Houthis, who are Iranian proxies wreaking havoc along some of the world’s most important shipping lanes.
Putin saw us coming on this one.
And finally….
Wait for it:
You thought you had a tough job…?
;
