Today, Explained The prisoner swap for Brittney Griner
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Dec 8, 2022 Douglas Farah, an expert on Viktor Bout and author of "Merchant of Death," discusses the controversial prisoner swap of WNBA star Brittney Griner for the notorious arms dealer. He delves into Bout's murky past, detailing how his arms trade exacerbated global conflicts. The conversation also touches on the moral dilemmas surrounding such exchanges, contrasting Griner’s situation with that of Paul Whelan, highlighting the complexities of international relations and public perception in these high-stakes negotiations.
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Bout's Double-Dealing
- Victor Bout supplied weapons to both sides of the conflict in Zaire.
- He even flew President Mobutu out of the country after arming the forces trying to shoot him down.
Bout's Rise
- Victor Bout's success stemmed from exploiting the post-Soviet collapse chaos.
- He capitalized on readily available weapons and aircraft, creating a vast arms trafficking network.
Merchant of Death
- Bout wasn't just an arms dealer; he provided crucial logistics.
- His ability to deliver heavy weaponry like attack helicopters to remote areas set him apart.
