When the Biden-Harris administration made the decision to exchange Viktor “Merchant of Death” Bout for WNBA star Brittney Griner in an ill-advised prisoner swap, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan stated, “We believe we can manage those challenges, but we will remain constantly vigilant against any threat that Viktor Bout may pose to Americans, to the United States going forward. I would just point out that there is no shortage of arms traffickers and mercenaries in Russia.”

That sentiment hasn’t aged well. According to The Wall Street Journal, sources revealed that Bout was seen meeting with Houthi terrorists in Moscow with the express purpose of buying $10 million worth of automatic weapons, though they claimed they were there for “pesticides and vehicles.”

The 57-year-old “former” arms dealer is back in Russia and apparently considers his time in a U.S. prison as fuel for his anti-America outlook on life. He has entered into politics and currently holds a position in the Russian Assembly. This has not ameliorated the fears regarding his old way of life, particularly in light of his meeting with the Houthis in August.

The Houthis, a Yemen-based Iranian proxy, are doing their part to cause unrest in the Middle East. They have pinned down the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in the Red Sea, forcing cargo ships to take the longer route, which in turn slows down global commerce.

The Journal further clarifies that it’s unknown if Bout was brokering this meeting as part of his role in the Russian government or merely at President Vladimir Putin’s indulgence. Either way, it’s not good.

The arms the Houthis are asking for are relatively insignificant. However, if Putin allows the Houthi terrorists to get their hands on anti-aircraft or anti-tank weapons, that would be seen as an escalation not only in the Middle East but in the Ukraine war as well. It would be a roundabout way of attacking the U.S. through a proxy, and the Houthis have already caused plenty of trouble for U.S. Navy ships trying to keep the port lanes open and safe.

Bout was coy about his involvement with the Houthis in Moscow. According to The Daily Wire, “Bout claimed in an interview with Russian media that the allegation that he was selling weapons again was ‘baseless’ — but he did not directly deny it.”

New York-based attorney Steve Zissou, who represented Bout in court and continues to advocate for his interests in the States, told journalists: “Viktor Bout has not been in the transportation business for over twenty years. But if the Russian government authorized him to facilitate the transfer of arms to one of America’s adversaries, it would be no different than the U.S. government sending arms and weapons of mass destruction to one of Russia’s adversaries as it has sent to Ukraine.”

If Bout is back in the business that got him nabbed by the Drug Enforcement Agency back in 2008 — and it seems that he is — should we really be surprised? As for the Houthis, feel free to poke the bear that is Israel. It’s not holding back anymore.