Today, Explained Brittney Griner for the Merchant of Death
Aug 8, 2022
Douglas Farah, co-author of "Merchant of Death" and an expert on arms dealing, dives into the life of Viktor Bout, the infamous arms dealer whose operations shaped global conflict. He discusses the ethical dilemmas surrounding the potential prisoner swap involving WNBA star Brittney Griner, currently imprisoned in Russia. Farah unveils Bout's rise in the arms trade, backed by his Soviet intelligence background, and highlights the intricate dance of high-stakes diplomacy as the U.S. navigates a controversial negotiation with Russia.
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Bout's Beginnings
- Victor Bout had a realization after the fall of the Berlin Wall, noticing many unused Soviet aircraft and weapons.
- He capitalized on this by setting up a distribution hub in the UAE, supplying weapons to various conflicts in Africa.
Bout's Success
- Bout's success stemmed from his reliability and ability to deliver even high-end weaponry, unlike other arms dealers.
- This led to a paradoxical situation where even opposing sides in a conflict relied on his services.
US and Bout
- During the Iraq War, even though Victor Bout had a warrant for his arrest, he became a facilitator for the US forces on the ground.
- US officers knowingly used Bout's services to deliver supplies to their own military.