Staff Reports
Viktor Bout, the notorious arms dealer infamously dubbed the “Merchant of Death,” is making headlines again, proving that some habits die hard—especially those that involve selling weapons in the shadows. Recently released as part of the prisoner swap that brought WNBA player Britney Griner back to American soil, Bout has swiftly returned to his old stomping grounds, attempting to negotiate a lucrative arms deal with Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militants, according to reports from the Wall Street Journal.
In what can only be described as an alarming yet predictable turn of events, Bout was spotted in Moscow this past August, where Houthi representatives sought his expertise for a cool $10 million worth of automatic weapons. The Houthi folks must have been thrilled to meet the man they’d likely heard tales of at the campfire, but it raises the question: does anyone in the Biden administration even bother to read the fine print when it comes to foreign dealings?
This situation is precisely why President Trump refused to trade convicted criminal and arms dealer Viktor Bout for an innocent American hostage. https://t.co/qyBBVWM4IA
— Robert C. O'Brien (@robertcobrien) October 7, 2024
At the time of his release, Biden officials rushed to downplay any serious consequences related to letting a known arms dealer roam free. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan confidently claimed that releasing Bout was manageable and that they had weighed the national security risks adequately. Apparently, the decision-making process in the Biden White House involved a round of bingo rather than a serious assessment of the threats posed by this man. It seems the current administration believes “vigilance” is akin to keeping one eye open while napping.
Sullivan also made sure to inform the nation that there are “no shortage of arms traffickers” in Russia, somehow suggesting it would be a good idea to join the party. This sounds suspiciously like the classic “everyone else is doing it” excuse, proving once again that when it comes to foreign policy under this administration, if it’s not a complete disaster, it’s definitely a case of “let’s just hope for the best.”
Former Trump National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien commented on this situation, directly pointing out that President Trump had refused to trade a convicted arms dealer for an innocent American hostage. Oh, what a refreshing contrast to the current occupant of the White House! It’s almost as if common sense and accountability were still part of the plan back then. But with Biden’s approach, the only certainty is uncertainty, and the only thing that’s guaranteed is that Viktor Bout will likely remain in business despite the Biden administration’s reassurances.
