Red Asphalt

The monster known as The Merchant of Death, international arms dealer Viktor Bout who was freed in exchange for Brittney Griner, was arrested in March of 2008. He’s a baaaad dude (one doesn’t earn that nickname easily), was badly wanted by the U.S. government, and there was a huge price on his head. At the time of his arrest, he was set-up during an undercover sting operation. U.S. officials acted as Columbian rebels wanting to purchase millions of dollars worth of military-grade weapons from him.

Just thinking about this notion is fascinating, as we’re talking about complete spy stuff here. The time it took to plan such a meeting, the cost, the resources that it took, the risks – all of it could be right out of a movie (the movie referenced below was several years earlier). The undercover agents asked Bout for missiles that could kill U.S. forces and shoot down American planes, he agreed to the sale and reportedly said, “We have the same enemy.” 

Fourteen years after the sting operation that put Bout behind bars and his arms empire out of business, the U.S. once again may have to decide how badly it wants to keep him locked away. Bout, the so-called “Merchant of Death” and the inspiration for the 2005 Nicolas Cage film, “Lord of War,” appears to be Russia’s preferred target in a potential prisoner exchange for American basketball star Brittney Griner.

Jeff Eisenberg, Yahoo Sports, article from May 31, 2022

It’s impossible to feel entirely good about the prisoner swap under the circumstances. As for Ms. Griner, of course it’s not her fault and she was clearly a scapegoat, used as one of Vladimir Putin’s pawns from the jump. Let’s face it – Putin has proven himself to be one helluva chess player. He was counting on us caving to his demands from the start.

Turns out, he was right.

Checkmate.

Now he’s laughing his ass off at us.

I can’t imagine what Griner went through and am glad she’s free. I wish her nothing but healing and happiness.

But at a time when Putin’s insatiable appetite for power has resulted in Ukrainian civilians’ blood running in the streets – and with his ongoing threats to use nuclear weapons, make no mistake about it – the Vik n’Vladdy Show will be instrumental in Russia’s strategic military plans going forward. Viktor Bout was already a Putin loyalist, and now he owes him his very freedom.

How many people will be killed as a result of this man going free?

Whether directly or indirectly, the release of Mr. Death Merchant will end up costing more Ukranian lives, and almost without a doubt, the blood of Americans will eventually spill too.