Bout Extradition: An Important Step, Next One is Arms Trade Treaty
It is welcome news that Viktor Bout, the so-called "Merchant of Death," is on a U.S.-bound plane from Thailand to face criminal charges. As the world's most high profile arms dealer, his extradition shows that it is possible for suspected weapons traffickers to face justice. This is cause for celebration, and also a reminder of why progress is needed on an Arms Trade Treaty and other measures to regulate the conventional arms trade.
By Matt Sugrue
H. E. Mr. Nawaf Salam, Ambassador and Plenipotentiary Permanent Representative of Lebanon, deposits Lebanon's instrument of ratification at the United Nations. Photo credit: UN Photo
By Daryl G. Kimball