How Putin's 'Merchant of Death' is complicating Middle East War for USA and Israel

Viktor Bout , infamously known as the “Merchant of Death,” is complicating an already volatile Middle Eastern conflict for the United States and Israel . Bout, a notorious Russian arms dealer, was released from a U.S. prison in December 2022 following a prisoner exchange for U.S. basketball player Brittney Griner . Since then, his return to the international arms trade has raised concerns, especially as he is reportedly brokering arms deals with Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militants. This development has significant implications for U.S. and Israeli military strategies in the region, exacerbating tensions in an already intricate and multi-faceted war.

Bout’s long history of arms dealing in regions like Africa, South America, and the Middle East laid the foundation for his reputation as one of the world’s most notorious arms dealers. Although his 2008 arrest and subsequent 2011 conviction for conspiring to kill Americans were intended to bring an end to his activities, his recent resurgence, following his release from prison, highlights the challenges in containing individuals deeply entrenched in illicit international networks. Bout has since returned to prominence in Russia , even securing a seat in a local assembly in 2023, symbolising a political rebirth aligned with Russia’s more aggressive foreign policies.



In recent months, Bout has reportedly been in contact with representatives of the Houthis. According to security officials, a deal is in progress to supply the Houthis with $10 million worth of small arms, including AK-74s, an upgraded version of the AK-47. The Houthis, designated by the United States as a terrorist group, are heavily involved in the ongoing conflict in Yemen, which pits the Iran-backed militia against a Saudi-led coalition. The Houthis have repeatedly attacked international shipping routes and launched drone and missile attacks on Israel, making them a significant concern for both the U.S. and its allies.




While the reported arms deal primarily involves small arms, there have been discussions around more advanced weaponry such as Kornet anti-tank missiles and anti-aircraft systems. If these more sophisticated weapons make their way to the Houthis, they could pose a severe threat to U.S. military operations aimed at protecting international shipping lanes, as well as complicating Israeli defence strategies. These arms transfers mark a potential escalation in Russia’s involvement in the Middle East, where it has traditionally stayed out of direct confrontations between Israel and Iran-backed groups like the Houthis and Hezbollah.

The timing of Bout’s re-entry into arms dealing raises questions about Moscow’s motivations. While it is unclear if the Kremlin directly authorised Bout’s negotiations with the Houthis, there is no doubt that Russia has been increasingly aligning itself with Iran, especially following the West’s support for Ukraine in the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war. Russia’s bolstering of its relationship with Tehran has shifted the geopolitical landscape, with arms deals like this one contributing to the larger narrative of proxy wars between global powers playing out in the Middle East. For Moscow, facilitating arms deals for the Houthis could be viewed as a form of retaliation against the West for its ongoing support of Ukraine.


Washington remains highly concerned about any form of Russian arms transfers to hostile groups in the region. While there is no evidence that Russia has delivered more advanced missile systems to the Houthis, even the potential for such transfers is cause for alarm. The Biden administration has been wary of how Russian involvement could alter the power dynamics in the Middle East, especially given the already tense atmosphere surrounding Israel’s military activities in the region.
Bout’s involvement underscores a broader challenge for the U.S. and its allies. The release of the arms dealer in a prisoner swap with Russia was seen as a difficult but necessary decision at the time, especially given the humanitarian importance of bringing Brittney Griner home. However, the reappearance of Bout on the international stage demonstrates the long-term risks of releasing such high-profile figures. His ability to re-enter the arms trade so quickly highlights the robustness of Russia’s military networks and the difficulty of effectively shutting down illicit arms trade operations that span multiple continents.

Furthermore, Bout’s activities complicate efforts to maintain stability in a region where various state and non-state actors already vie for dominance. His brokering of arms deals with the Houthis could embolden other Iran-backed militant groups in the region, further destabilising an already precarious balance of power. For Israel, which has been repeatedly targeted by Houthi missile and drone attacks, the prospect of these militants acquiring more sophisticated weapons is a serious concern. Israel has been proactive in striking Houthi targets and preventing arms shipments from reaching militants. However, the involvement of someone with Bout’s experience and connections could make such efforts more difficult.

As the conflict in Yemen and the broader Middle East continues to escalate, Bout’s reappearance on the arms-dealing scene adds another layer of complexity to an already difficult situation. For the U.S. and Israel, his activities underscore the need for a more robust strategy to curtail Russian involvement in the region, as well as more coordinated efforts to monitor and intercept illicit arms shipments to militant groups like the Houthis. As tensions between Israel and Iran-backed groups intensify, Bout’s role in facilitating arms transfers to hostile forces will likely remain a focal point in the broader geopolitical struggle.