To the Point

'Merchant of Death' May Be Responsible for Missing Weapons in Iraq

In the 1990's, Victor Bout was a target of US intelligence, which wanted to end his role in illegal arms traffic worldwide. But even after public revelations about his notorious activities, Bout became a weapons contractor for the Pentagon.

By Warren Olney • May 12, 2014 • 1 min read

In the 1990's, Victor Bout was a target of US intelligence, which wanted to end his role in illegal arms traffic worldwide. But even after public revelations about his notorious activities, Bout became a weapons contractor for the Pentagon. In 2004, four of Bout's planes were supposed to ship 99 tons of AK-47's and other weapons from Bosnia to Iraq. There's no record they ever got there. Stephen Braun of the Los Angeles Times is co-author of Merchant of Death: Money, Guns, Planes and the Man Who Makes War Possible.

Warren Olney
former KCRW broadcaster
Dan Konecky
Producer, To the Point
Vanessa Romo
LA School Report
Karen Radziner
Managing Producer, To the Point & Which Way LA?
Stephen Braun
National Correspondent for the Los Angeles Times

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To the Point

'Merchant of Death' May Be Responsible for Missing Weapons in Iraq

In the 1990's, Victor Bout was a target of US intelligence, which wanted to end his role in illegal arms traffic worldwide. But even after public revelations about his notorious activities, Bout became a weapons contractor for the Pentagon.

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To the Point

'Merchant of Death' May Be Responsible for Missing Weapons in Iraq

In the 1990's, Victor Bout was a target of US intelligence, which wanted to end his role in illegal arms traffic worldwide. But even after public revelations about his notorious activities, Bout became a weapons contractor for the Pentagon.

Share