If you saw Lord of War movie (which is probably Nicolas Cage’s best movie) you have to remember end part of it: biggest illegal weapon trader Yuri Orlov (ex-KGB) is being freed from custody by US government because … someone have to sell weapons to rebels all around world to support tremendous US military spendings!
When I saw this movie first time I didn’t know Orlov has real life prototype. This “prototype” – Victor Bout - was arrested by Thai police few days ago while trying to sell his “merchandise” to FARC’s (Colombia) emissary in Bangkok. Bout is a real king of illegal weapon trades – later reports says his assets are (were) around $6.000.000.000 ( that’s correct – 6 billions US dollars). At the moment Thais officials are trying to convince Bout to jail him for few years – in Thailand. Most interesting part of this story is movie’s scenario repeating in real life: US officials are trying to get Bout by any chance to “judge him in US” – up to kidnapping! - as Bout’s brother (citizen of Russia) and Bout’s attorney claims lately. Most likely we’ll “see” him free (or “accidentally dead” – after plastic surgery) in nearest future: this guy isn’t too suitable as prisoner. And still someone have to sell weapons – to support $700 billions US military budget which will lose up to few hundreds without Bout’s “support”…
By the way – Lord of War is really great movie. Watch it if you didn’t – it’s almost a documentary film with fabulous cinematic effects (intro part – “Life of a Bullet” – is just a masterpiece).