Viktor Bout, the notorious arms dealer once known as the “Merchant of Death,” who was freed in exchange for WNBA star Brittney Griner in a high-profile prisoner swap, is reportedly back in the weapons trade. According to a new report by The Wall Street Journal, Bout has resumed his involvement in arms dealing, this time negotiating with terrorist groups.
After his release, Bout quickly transitioned into Russian politics, joining Vladimir Putin’s far-right political party. However, according to the WSJ report, his history as a weapons dealer appears to be far from over. The publication alleges that Bout met with Houthi rebels in Moscow this past August to negotiate the sale of $10 million worth of automatic weapons. These details were confirmed by a European security official and other sources familiar with the situation.
The revelation has reignited debate about Bout’s release as part of the Griner exchange, particularly given the circumstances surrounding former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, who was not part of the original swap. Whelan has since been released, but his exclusion at the time raised significant concerns about the priorities in the negotiation process.
Bout’s potential return to arms dealing could have serious implications for geopolitical stability in the Middle East. The Wall Street Journal reports that, although the weapons have not yet been delivered, Bout’s involvement in selling arms to the Houthi rebels—a designated terrorist group by Washington—could further escalate tensions in the region. The Houthis have been engaged in a long and brutal conflict in Yemen, often supported by Iran in their battles against Saudi-backed forces. If Bout successfully delivers arms to the group, it would mark an alarming shift for Russia, which, while maintaining security ties with Iran, has so far avoided direct involvement in the ongoing Middle Eastern conflict.
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“Even small arms shipments to the Houthis would be opposed by Washington, which has designated the Yemen militants as a terrorist group,” the report notes. “Arming a belligerent in the Middle East conflict would also mark an escalation for Russia, which has been strengthening security ties with Tehran but has generally stayed away from the confrontation between Israel and its Iran-backed foes.”
Bout’s release has been a contentious topic since it was orchestrated in exchange for Brittney Griner, who had been detained in Russia on drug charges. The swap sparked intense debate in the U.S., with many questioning the wisdom of releasing an internationally known arms dealer.
Meanwhile, Griner has made a successful return to the WNBA, playing for the Phoenix Mercury. Her homecoming was celebrated nationwide, and she quickly regained her place as one of the league’s top players.
Griner was named a WNBA All-Star in both the 2023 and 2024 seasons, and she has expressed deep gratitude for the efforts made by the U.S. government to secure her release.
In a recent interview with The Associated Press, Griner shared her excitement about representing the U.S. at the upcoming 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. “It means everything to me honestly,” Griner said. “For me to now have the honor to wear [the USA jersey] again and potentially win gold is icing on the cake for everything.”
As Griner looks ahead to the future, Bout’s actions could once again thrust him into the global spotlight, this time for his role in a volatile arms deal that could impact the broader conflict in the Middle East. The U.S. and its allies are likely to keep a close watch on Bout’s movements, given his history of arms trafficking and the potential for this new deal to disrupt the delicate balance of power in the region.
