Viktor Bout Resumes Arms Trade Amid Criticism

Viktor Bout, a notorious Russian arms dealer known as the 'Merchant of Death,' has reportedly resumed arms trading, focusing on supplying weapons to the Houthi militants in Yemen. Bout, who was released from a US prison in a December 2022 prisoner swap for WNBA player Brittney Griner, is accused of negotiating a $10 million deal for automatic weapons with the Houthis, an Iran-backed group. The Wall Street Journal reports that Bout met Houthi representatives in Moscow under the pretense of buying pesticides and vehicles. Although it is unclear if Bout's actions were sanctioned by the Russian government, the arms shipments, which include AK-74 rifles, could begin soon. This development has reignited criticism of the Biden administration's decision to release Bout, highlighting concerns about its foreign policy. Bout's return to arms dealing underscores the challenges in curbing illegal weapons trade globally.